Breslin Bound: Boys Regional Preview
March 5, 2019
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Just like that, we’re down to 128 boys basketball teams still playing, and only a week away from returning to the Breslin Center to crown this season’s champions.
Regionals begin across the state tonight, and you can keep up with all 32 brackets by clicking “Tracking the Tournament” on MHSAA.com. See below for some of the many District results that made headlines last week, plus a look at three of the most intriguing Regionals in each division.
Breslin Bound is powered by MI Student Aid and based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com. To offer corrections or fill in scores we’re missing, email me at [email protected].
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Grand Rapids Northview 76, Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern 75 (3OT) – After falling by 11 and 14 points to Forest Hills Northern to finish second to FHN in Ottawa-Kent Conference White play, Northview ended the Huskies’ season on a last-second putback in Division 1.
2. Wayne Memorial 55, Canton 50 – This may have been only a slight upset in Division 1; Wayne had shared the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East title. But Canton had won the West and league tournament and hadn’t lost since its season opener.
3. Haslett 36, Williamston 33 – The Vikings had finished runner-up to Williamston in the Capital Area Activities Conference Red with losses of six and then 29 to the Hornets before avenging those in Division 2.
4. Traverse City St Francis 59, Maple City Glen Lake 44 – The Lake Michigan Conference champ Gladiators prevailed in Division 3 over the Northwest Conference title-winning Lakers.
5. Midland 63, Mount Pleasant 52 – Fourth-place Midland handed Saginaw Valley League Red champ Mount Pleasant just its second loss and after falling by nine and three (in overtime) in their regular-season meetings.
Regionals at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold:
DIVISION 1
Holland West Ottawa
Hudsonville (21-2) vs. Grand Rapids Northview (18-4), Muskegon (20-3) vs. East Kentwood (14-9)
Northview took down unbeaten Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern in last week’s District Final, as noted above, and will look to avenge another regular-season defeat after falling to Hudsonville by 10 on Dec. 27. The Eagles went on to clinch the O-K Red title and have won 15 straight, including two over East Kentwood during that run. The Falcons did bounce back from four straight losses to end the regular season by winning their first District title since 2011. And now they get a rematch with Muskegon, which won their Dec. 27 meeting 55-53 and more recently is riding a 16-game unbeaten streak.
Holt
Coldwater (17-5) vs. Okemos (20-2), Mattawan (21-0) vs. DeWitt (19-3)
Mattawan is seeking to add its first Regional championship to an already-historic run that included a win over Kalamazoo Central to open last week’s District. DeWitt lived a little less comfortably last week with two overtime wins to stay in the running, but the Panthers have losses to only Okemos (twice) and another District champ Howell this winter. The Chiefs won the CAAC Blue ahead of DeWitt and have lost to only a pair of District champs as well – Haslett and Detroit Catholic Central. But are they catching Coldwater on a warm streak? The Cardinals have won five straight for the third time this season and would love to avenge last season’s Regional Semifinal loss to Okemos.
Ypsilanti Lincoln
Detroit Catholic Central (16-6) vs. Wayne Memorial (18-5), Ann Arbor Skyline (15-7) vs. Ypsilanti Lincoln (18-4)
Lincoln is a major draw hosting this Regional, but the Southeastern Conference White champion must be careful starting with a Skyline team that has won eight of its last nine games and didn’t lose its first last season until the Regional Final. Wayne Memorial beat Skyline by five points in a Dec. 4 meeting and went on to share a league title and then stun Canton, as noted above. DCC enjoyed a similar win handing Okemos its first loss, at Okemos, on Jan. 11, and has bounced back after losing three straight heading into the postseason.
DIVISION 2
Fremont
Coopersville (12-10) vs. Grand Rapids South Christian (20-3), Muskegon Orchard View (15-7) vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (20-2)
It would be easy to jump ahead and expect a Thursday matchup of O-K Gold champion South Christian against Blue title-winner GRCC. But Coopersville surely would love another chance against GRCC after finishing tied for third in the Blue, and Orchard View is surging after winning its first District title in 24 years. If South Christian and GRCC do meet, however, there is some recent history – the Sailors won their Jan. 19 meeting 54-42.
Milan
Ida (12-10) vs. Dearborn Divine Child (18-4), Chelsea (16-6) vs. River Rouge (19-2)
This is the next step for a River Rouge team that has been touted highly since making the Class B Semifinals a year ago. The Panthers have lost only to 2018 Class B champion Benton Harbor and Detroit Martin Luther King. But Chelsea has won six of its last seven and shown it can play with the elite with wins over multiple league champions. Ida bounced back from three losses over its final four games to win its District – avenging one of those late defeats against Huron League co-champ Carleton Airport in the process. Divine Child offers intrigue as well; the Falcons won a Regional title last year for the first time since 2011, and could seek some revenge as they went on to fall to River Rouge in the Quarterfinal.
Wayland
Benton Harbor (21-1) vs. Otsego (23-0), Hudsonville Unity Christian (21-2) vs. Three Rivers (11-11)
The reigning Class B champion Tigers have been an absolute force, falling only to 2018 Class C champion Detroit Edison while seemingly taking on another state power every weekend. Up steps Otsego, a combined 42-2 over the last two seasons and coming off a league title and its first District championship since 2015. Three Rivers has a great story winning its District after finishing last in Otsego’s Wolverine Conference South. But Unity Christian will provide a formidable challenge after winning the O-K Green and 17 straight games dating back to a two-point loss to South Christian on Dec. 21. Unity also fell to Benton Harbor in last season’s Regional Semifinal.
DIVISION 3
Houghton Lake
Sanford Meridian (21-1) vs. Manton (17-4), Oscoda (23-0) vs. Beal City (13-8)
Manton is coming off the Highland Conference co-championship and seeking its second Regional title in three seasons, while Sanford Meridian won the Jack Pine Conference and is seeking to repeat as Regional champ. Theirs is a titanic matchup, but Oscoda may be the favorite this week after entering the postseason as one of four undefeated teams in Division 3. The Owls are seeking their first Regional title since 2000. Beal City can’t be overlooked – the Aggies beat the other Highland co-champ McBain in the District Final to advance.
Sandusky
Madison Heights Madison (20-3) vs. Capac (15-8), Detroit Edison (15-7) vs. Clinton Township Clintondale (16-6)
Last season’s Class C champion Edison is much better than its record might indicate – the Pioneers have played many larger powers this season with wins over Benton Harbor and Canton among others. Clintondale has won seven of its last nine games and hopes to play spoiler, while its Macomb Area Conference Silver rival – and the league champion – Madison Heights Madison is playing for its first Regional title after edging Detroit Pershing 73-71 in last week’s District Final. The Eagles take on a Capac team that has won eight of its last 10 games.
Watervliet
Cassopolis (21-1) vs. Union City (16-7), Niles Brandywine (20-2) vs. Schoolcraft (19-4)
Southwest 10 Conference champion Cassopolis hasn’t lost since Dec. 20 and is on a mission after suffering its only defeat last season in the Regional Final. But opponent Union City has turned around from a 7-14 finish last season and is riding high with eight wins over its last nine games. Brandywine is another league champion and just seven points from a perfect record after falling by four to Coloma and then one to Parchment in its regular-season finale. But to reach Thursday, it must take down a Schoolcraft team that bounced back from a couple of late losses with a pair of close District wins before claiming the championship with a 38-point victory.
DIVISION 4
Fowler
Bellevue (22-1) vs. Webberville (16-5), Athens (20-3) vs. Pittsford (20-2)
Bellevue and Athens are plenty familiar with each other after finishing first and second in the Southern Central Athletic Association West – Bellevue winning the first meeting and Athens the second, on Feb. 22. But Webberville will try to spoil the rematch after building much of its record against larger opponents, and Pittsford won the SCAA East and beat Athens by 14 on Feb. 8 (and lost to Bellevue by 10 on Jan 12).
Mendon
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (19-3) vs. Marcellus Howardsville Christian (22-1), Muskegon Heights Academy (12-7) vs. New Buffalo (13-9)
Dylan Jergens is making a run at the MHSAA career scoring record but must get Howardsville Christian past an annual power in Tri-unity Christian – both have a loss to Wyoming Potter’s House Christian, and Tri-unity’s losses all were to Division 3 teams. On the other side, New Buffalo finished second in Howardsville Christian’s league and no doubt would like a third try at the Eagles. But Muskegon Heights Academy might be the most overlooked team in this entire division. While the Tigers’ record might not be stunning, they’ve won 11 of their last 12 games and the Lake Michigan Conference title over all larger opponents.
St. Ignace
Cedarville (17-5) vs. Posen (15-7), Brimley (23-0) vs. Pellston (21-2)
Brimley finished the regular season as the only undefeated team in Division 4 and is seeking to win a Regional title for the first time since 1995. But Pellston, like Brimley a league champ, has been considered the best in Division 4 at times with its defeats to Division 3 teams that sit a combined 30-13. Posen is surging with nine wins over its last 10 games, and Cedarville has won 11 straight since losing to the league rival Bays for the second time Jan. 15.
Second Half’s weekly “Breslin Bound” reports are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO: Marquette's Marius Grazulis holds up his team’s Division 1 District championship trophy as his classmates rush the court to congratulate the team on its win over Gaylord. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)
Breslin Bound: 2024-25 Boys Report Week 10
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 3, 2025
We are only three weeks away from the start of MHSAA Boys Basketball District Tournaments, and just under two weeks away from publishing those brackets – and movement up and down statewide Michigan Power Ratings (MPR) lists should continue to be captivating as we advance on our Feb. 16 pairings announcement.
Among notable risers over the last week were Romulus Summit Academy North in Division 2 and Fowler in Division 4, and we highlight both below along with several more continuing to make a hard drive toward pole position for the start of the postseason.
“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com.
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 49, Grand Rapids Northview 48 Even without injured all-stater Trey McKenney, St. Mary’s (10-6) can play with the elite and edged a good one in Northview (12-4) at the Red Hawk Showcase at Aquinas College.
2. Adrian Madison 43, Onsted 37 The Trojans, just 10-13 a year ago, moved into a tie for first in the Lenawee County Athletic Association at 12-3 overall by handing Onsted (15-1) its only defeat.
3. Elk Rapids 56, Harbor Springs 39 The Elks (12-4) avenged a 61-59 loss to Harbor Springs (12-3) from Jan. 10 to move into first alone in the Northern Shores Conference.
4. Detroit Cass Tech 77, Grand Rapids Christian 62 (OT) Cass Tech (14-1) forced overtime during the final seconds of regulation, then pulled away from the Eagles (9-7) in overtime of this game at Aquinas.
5. Cadillac 60, Traverse City West 53 Cadillac (11-4) handed West its only Big North Conference loss and put itself in strong position to at least share the title with three league games left (and one BNC loss as well) compared to five games remaining for the Titans (12-2).
Watch List
With an eye toward March, here are two teams in each division making sparks:
DIVISION 1
Detroit Martin Luther King (14-3) The Crusaders enter this week’s Detroit Public School League Tournament coming off a third-place finish in the PSL Blue but still definitely a favorite for the city championship. League losses came by two points to champion Renaissance (10-7) and eight to second-place Cass Tech (14-1) in mid-December. The third defeat came at the end of November to Illinois state contender Chicago Kenwood Academy. In the meantime, King has defeated nonleague Birmingham Groves (12-5), Saginaw United (13-5), Auburn Hills Avondale (11-6), Kalamazoo Central (12-2), Flint Carman-Ainsworth (11-4) and most recently Grand Rapids Catholic Central (10-5).
Muskegon (14-2) The Big Reds are in pursuit of a fourth-straight Ottawa-Kent Conference Green title and lead after sharing the championship with Mona Shores a year ago. Muskegon also has loaded its nonleague schedule again and is the only team to defeat East Lansing (16-1), with other solid wins over Hudsonville (12-3), Green second-place Byron Center (12-5) and over the weekend Ann Arbor Huron (12-4). The two losses – Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (16-1) and Warren Lincoln (12-4) – no doubt provided good looks as well. The Byron Center rematch is Friday, and dates against Grand Blanc and Kalamazoo Central also are notable coming up.
DIVISION 2
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian (13-2) The Chargers are in Division 2 this season after reaching the Division 3 Quarterfinals a year ago. Playing as an independent, they continue to line up strong opponents from all four divisions – four teams with double-digit wins highlight the remaining schedule, topped by North Muskegon (14-0) and Schoolcraft (12-4). Covenant is coming off a big win over Bellaire (13-4), with another over Allendale (11-4) also popping off the page and losses to Hudsonville Unity Christian (16-1) and reigning Division 4 champion Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (13-2) smart plays for postseason prep. Unity and Allendale are in the same District bracket.
Romulus Summit Academy North (16-2) The Dragons enter this week’s Charter School Conference Tournament after earning the Gold championship and did so winning all 10 of their league games by double digits including in handing last season’s Division 3 runner-up Detroit Old Redford (14-1) its only defeat. Summit’s only losses were to Walled Lake Central (15-3) and East Lansing, and the Dragons also have league wins over Detroit University Prep (13-5) and Detroit Lincoln-King (12-6) and nonleague victories over Renaissance and Groves. University Prep and Old Redford were two of three teams to hand Summit losses during its 22-3 run last season.
DIVISION 3
Centreville (13-1) The Bulldogs are undefeated against Michigan opponents, their only loss to an Indiana team, and coming off three wins last week including a 59-50 defeat of Hartford (13-2) that left Centreville in first alone in the Southwest 10 Conference as it pursues a repeat title. The rematch is Feb. 18, and the Bulldogs also have swept White Pigeon (10-5). Wednesday’s game at Schoolcraft will be a great nonleague test after defeating Centreville last season.
Riverview Gabriel Richard (15-2) The Pioneers are building toward a potential big finish again after reaching the Division 3 Semifinals a year ago. They’ve won 10 straight, and during this run handed Jackson Lumen Christi an 88-65 loss that not only was the Titans’ only defeat but eventually decided the Catholic High School League AA title. The losses were to Division 1 Grand Blanc (10-6) and Division 2 Flint Powers Catholic (14-0), both during December, and this winning streak also includes a 79-58 win over Division 1 Flint Carman-Ainsworth (11-4).
DIVISION 4
Fowler (15-2) The Eagles opened this season with a 62-59 victory over reigning Division 4 champ Tri-unity Christian and haven’t looked back, with 13 wins by at least 12 points. Fowler will have a chance Tuesday to avenge its first loss this winter, 51-49 to rival Pewamo-Westphalia from Dec. 18, and doing so would make the Eagles and Pirates tied atop the Central Michigan Athletic Conference with four league games remaining for both. Fowler’s other loss came to Division 2 Fruitport (13-3), and wins over Fulton (11-5) and Division 2 Marshall also have provided nice bumps.
Norway (12-4) A 65-64 win over Stephenson last week kept Norway in position to share the Skyline Central Conference large-school championship with Munising, which the Knights fell to in their season opener. The big test will be Crystal Falls Forest Park on Feb. 11 – the Trojans handed Munising their lone league loss and already defeated Norway nonleague Jan. 2. The Knights’ other losses were to Iron Mountain (14-2) and West Iron County, but they bounced back from the latter by downing Kingsford (11-3) and Stephenson (10-6) for the second time, and they also are benefitting from an early win over Felch North Dickinson (12-5).
Can’t-Miss Contests
Be on the lookout for results of these games coming up:
Tuesday – Detroit U-D Jesuit (16-1) at Warren Lincoln (12-4) – This has become one of the most anticipated matchups of this entire regular season, with the Cubs rising to become one of the top contenders in Division 1 and Lincoln sharp again after winning Division 2 last year.
Tuesday – Oxford (16-0) at Lake Orion (13-5) – The Wildcats can pull away a little more comfortably from second-place Lake Orion in the Oakland Activities Association Red, or the Dragons can avenge Oxford’s 57-37 win from Jan. 3 and move into position to share the title.
Tuesday – Beal City (12-3) at McBain (13-1) – Beal City’s 57-48 win in their first meeting remains McBain’s only loss, and the result of this rematch could eventually decide the Highland Conference title.
Friday – Lansing Waverly (14-2) at East Lansing (16-1) – East Lansing is first and Waverly second in the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue thanks to the Trojans’ 75-65 win in their first meeting Dec. 19.
Friday – Bad Axe (13-3) at Millington (14-1) – These two are tied atop the Big Thumb Conference White standings with Bad Axe having won their first meeting 60-54 on Jan. 15.
MHSAA.com's weekly “Breslin Bound” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTOS (Top) A Mount Pleasant defender works to block Cortez Porter’s path to the basket during the Oilers’ recent 52-45 win over Davison. (Middle) Negaunee's Brady Mager (4) tries to wall off Marquette's Ford Richardson (11) as Richardson drives during his team’s Dec. 10 win over the Miners. (Davison/Mount Pleasant photo by Terry Lyons. Negaunee/Marquette photo by Cara Kamps.)