Breslin Bound: Quarterfinal Preview

March 19, 2018

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

Breslin Center is only one more win away for 32 boys basketball teams taking the floor in Quarterfinals on Tuesday across Michigan.

So far we know we’ll have at least two new champions, in Class C and Class D, when this week ends. And only eight of the 16 teams that made the trip to East Lansing last season have a chance to book Semifinal repeat returns.

Our final “Breslin Bound” report – powered by MI Student Aid – takes a glance at all 16 Quarterfinals, which are all at 7 p.m. unless noted. All Quarterfinals will be broadcast and viewable with subscription on MHSAA.tv. Come back Wednesday night for a more in-depth look at our 16 finalists as they head into this weekend.

Class A

Warren DeLaSalle (18-7) vs. Detroit U-D Jesuit (22-3) at University of Detroit Mercy – 5 p.m.

These Detroit Catholic League Central rivals have played three times, with Jesuit winning all three meetings – although the second Feb. 10 by just two points. The Cubs won their fourth straight Regional title and were Class A champions in 2016, while this will be DeLaSalle’s first Quarterfinal since 2010. Junior guard Daniel Friday leads three Jesuit players averaging double-digit scoring at 13.9 ppg, while senior forward Luke Pfromm scores a team-high 15.6 ppg for the Pilots.

Flint Carman-Ainsworth (23-2) vs. Clarkston (23-1) at Grand Blanc

Reigning champion Clarkston is hoping to add to last season’s first-ever title and celebrated its second Mr. Basketball Award winner Monday in senior guard Foster Loyer (25.6 ppg, 6.0 apg). Center Taylor Currie (13.1 ppg) and guard CJ Robinson (13.8 ppg) are also senior standouts. Only four opponents have come within single digits of the Wolves, and Carman-Ainsworth was the first falling 72-67 on Dec. 7. The Cavaliers are seeking their first Semifinal berth since back-to-back trips in 2003 and 2004. Their only other defeat this winter came to Holland West Ottawa, alive on the other side of this bracket. Senior guards Omari Duncan (16 ppg) and Ja’Kavien Lewis (14.9 ppg, 3.0 apg) are among playmakers.

East Lansing (22-3) vs. Holland West Ottawa (23-2) at Lansing’s Don Johnson Fieldhouse

West Ottawa is 23-2 for the second straight season but with a first Regional title in program history this time. In addition to defeating Carman-Ainsworth, the Panthers have beaten powers Muskegon and Grand Rapids Catholic Central over the last three weeks. Senior forward Tyler Bosma leads with 17.2 ppg. East Lansing’s Brandon Johns (26.3 ppg, 10.4 rpg) finished second in the Mr. Basketball voting and can lead the Trojans to their first Semifinal since 2008. The Regional Final win over rival Okemos avenged East Lansing’s two most recent defeats.

Belleville (20-5) vs. Novi (16-8) at University of Detroit Mercy – 7 p.m.

A pair of teams with high preseason hopes followed by slow starts have made good by reaching the final week of this winter. The Tigers have won 15 of their last 16 – with the lone loss in overtime – and are led by standout seniors Gabe Brown and Davion Williams. Novi has won 10 of its last 11 and surged with the return of senior guard Trendon Hankerson (14.2 ppg) from injury to go with senior Taveon Maddox, Jr. (17.5 ppg), and junior Jiovanni Miles (15.3 ppg).

Class B

Benton Harbor (24-1) vs. Williamston (22-2) at Ionia

Benton Harbor is seeking its second straight and third Semifinal berth in five seasons. Since falling to eventual champion New Haven in a Semifinal to end last winter, the Tigers have lost only to Class A Hazel Park. Sophomore Carlos Johnson (18.3 ppg, 13.1 rpg) remains among the top players statewide in his class and is joined by senior Shawn Hopkins (15.7/11.4). Williamston is undefeated in calendar year 2018, having fallen to Class A quarterfinalist DeLaSalle and Howell in November. The Hornets will play in their third straight Quarterfinal and made the Semifinals in 2016.

Dearborn Divine Child (18-6) vs. River Rouge (22-1) at Chelsea

River Rouge also is celebrating its third straight Quarterfinal appearance and after falling in last year’s Semifinal by a point in overtime to eventual Class B runner-up Ludington. Senior guard Jayvien Torrance-Jackson is the only returning starter from that team, but the Panthers have fallen this winter only to Class D quarterfinalist Southfield Christian. Divine Child is coming off its first Regional title since 2011 and seeking to make the Semifinals for the first time since 1977. Senior forward Quinn Blair leads at 20.2 ppg.

New Haven (25-0) vs. Bridgeport (24-1) at Corunna

Reigning champion New Haven has won 51 straight games going back to Dec. 2016, with junior star Romeo Weems (23.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 5.7 apg, 5.1 spg) leading four players averaging double-digit scoring. Seniors Tavares Oliver (16.8) and Ashton Sherrell (15.7) follow on that list. Bridgeport’s lone slip-up came by three points in its opener at Lansing Everett. The Bearcats have rattled off 24 straight wins thanks in part to the scoring of senior Charles Garrett (20.1 ppg) and junior Sirquarius Bell (17 ppg).

Grand Rapids Catholic Central (22-2) vs. Boyne City (19-6) at Big Rapids

GRCC’s 6-foot-11 senior Marcus Bingham, Jr., (16.8 ppg, 10 rpg) is another Mr. Basketball finalist who has brought his team to the final week, with plenty of help in the post from 6-8 senior Jake Polakovich (14.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg). The Cougars’ only loss of calendar year 2018 was to Class A quarterfinalist West Ottawa. Boyne City has been a Class C power over the last four seasons but moved into B for 2017-18. They eliminated reigning runner-up Ludington last week after winning a fourth straight District title. Senior forward Mason Gardner leads a balanced scoring attack at 11.4 ppg.

Class C

Detroit Edison (14-10) vs. Unionville-Sebewaing (25-0) at West Bloomfield

Edison reached the Quarterfinals and Semifinals for the first time last season and will play this time after also winning the Detroit Public School League tournament last month. Senior guards Gary Solomon (16.2 ppg) and Pierre Mitchell, Jr. (15.3 ppg), set the scoring pace. Unionville-Sebewaing eliminated three-time reigning Class C champion Flint Beecher in the Regional Final to reach championship week for the first time since 2005. That and the Regional Semifinal win over Saginaw Nouvel were the first single-digit victories for the Patriots since their third game this season against Detroit Douglass.

Grand Rapids Covenant Christian (21-4) vs. Sanford Meridian (21-3) at Stanton Central Montcalm

After a more than a 20-year absence, Covenant Christian returned to the season’s final week a year ago and ended up as Class C runner-up. Its losses during this repeat run were all to bigger schools, including by just four to GRCC. Senior forward Carson Meulenberg has returned as the team’s leading scorer at 15.4 ppg. Sanford Meridian celebrated its first Regional title since 2001 and is playing for its first Semifinal berth. The Mustangs are making this run without injured top scorer Lucas Lueder (14 ppg), as senior point guard Garrett Stockford (9.2 ppg) leads a balanced bunch.

Kalamazoo Christian (23-2) vs. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (24-0) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix

Kalamazoo Christian won its second straight Regional title, this time by handing Cassopolis its only loss of the season 61-48 on Wednesday. Senior forward Jordan Katje (16.8 ppg, 11.6 rpg) has been a force. Monroe St. Mary also made the Quarterfinals last season – and this will be its fifth trip this decade. Senior C.J. Haut (18.4 ppg, 11.3 rpg) has a similar post presence as Katje, and they could provide a memorable matchup. Katje is 6-5 and Haut 6-8.

Maple City Glen Lake (22-2) vs. Iron Mountain (23-1) at Petoskey – 6 p.m.

Like its girls team last week, Glen Lake’s boys are Regional champs and playing for more. The Lakers’ lone losses were to reigning Class D runner-up Buckley, which also remains alive. Junior guard Xander Okerlund checks in at a team-leading 16.1 ppg. Iron Mountain is enjoying its longest tournament run since 1994, with its only loss to league foe Ishpeming. Sophomore Marcus Johnson (23.5) and freshman Foster Wonders (19.1) offer one of the most potent 1-2 scoring punches left in the tournament – and with a few more seasons to build on this success.

Class D

Cedarville (21-3) vs. Dollar Bay (25-0) at Escanaba

Dollar Bay has been one of the statewide stories of this season, and the Blue Bolts have advanced to the final week for the first time since 1979. They won their Regional games last week over Rapid River and Carney-Nadeau by a combined four points and should get another challenge from Cedarville. The Trojans have won 11 in a row and beat 20-win league foe Brimley to claim a fourth Regional title this decade. Senior guard Dakota Fairchild (14.1 ppg) leads a balanced attack.

Southfield Christian (20-4) vs. Flint International Academy (23-2) at Goodrich

Southfield Christian earned its fifth Regional title this decade and is sure to be motivated this week after missing last season’s championship game by a point in a double overtime loss to eventual champ Powers North Central. Senior Bryce Washington (21.6 ppg) and junior Harlond Beverly (16 ppg, 5.4) are among players to watch. Flint International will play its first Quarterfinal riding an 18-game winning streak. The Phoenix has given up more than 60 points this season only four times, and no more than 65 in a game.

Marcellus Howardsville Christian (20-5) vs. Hillsdale Academy (23-2) at Portage Northern

Howardsville Christian is another team playing a Quarterfinal for the first time. The Eagles have won 10 straight led by dynamic junior guard Dylan Jergens at 31.5 points and also 6.3 assists per game. Hillsdale Academy, coming off its first Regional title as well, also features a dynamic player – 6-7 senior center Peter Kalthoff, who averages 21.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game for the Colts. They avenged their second loss of the season with a Regional Final win over Adrian Lenawee Christian.

Buckley (19-5) vs. Hillman (24-0) at Gaylord

This has been a long-awaited matchup in the northern Lower Peninsula, as reigning Class D runner-up Buckley has faced many of the best in Class C and D on its side of I-75. Seniors Denver Cade (16.5 ppg), Austin Harris (17) and Joey Weber (14.4) are all 1,000-point career scorers. Hillman has only two single-digit wins this season, although the latest was a four-pointer over league foe Mio in the Regional Final.  This will be the Tigers’ second straight and third Quarterfinal in four seasons. Senior guard Jared Juergens (14.8 ppg) leads four players scoring at least 10 per game.

PHOTO: Flint Carman-Ainsworth's Ja'kavien Lewis looks to finish a drive against Midland this season. (Photo by Terry Lyons.) 

Breslin Bound: Boys Report Week 2

December 20, 2012

By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor

As with football during the fall, Second Half tries to hit all classes and all corners of the state for these weekly boys and girls basketball reports.

But sometimes, focusing on the powers in Class A and B is simply unavoidable. 

Most of this week's 10 notable performances came from some of our biggest and best-known schools. (Results and records based on those reported to Score Center at MHSAA.com)

1. Warren DeLaSalle (3-0) – The Pilots have been the Detroit Catholic League team to beat for half a decade, and that could continue this winter. DeLaSalle beat Farmington Hills Harrison 64-50 before edging Class B power Grand Rapids Christian 77-76 in double overtime.

2. Gibraltar Carlson (2-0) – The Marauders’ 70-53 win over Saginaw Buena Vista might not have earned the biggest headline from Saturday’s Metro Detroit Saginaw Valley Challenge at West Bloomfield. But given Buena Vista’s rich tradition, it was still intriguing – although Carlson is coming off a run to its Regional Final too.

3. Romulus (2-1) – I hope to avoid repeating teams on this list from week to week. But Romulus beating reigning two-time Class B champion Lansing Sexton 67-52 makes the Eagles a must again.

4. Grand Rapids Christian (1-3) – It’s been a tough go for these Eagles, who are expected to contend in Class B. But despite finishing the week with that close loss to DeLaSalle, they did beat reigning Class A runner-up Rockford 48-39 earlier on.

5. Rockford (1-2) – The Rams also opened with a couple of losses, but finished the week with a 63-53 win over Muskegon – which made this list last week and is considered a possible contender this season.

6. Bessmer (5-0) – After going 10-11 in 2011-12, Bessemer is halfway to matching that win total. Last week’s were close ones – 50-48 over Hurley, Wis., and 55-51 over Ironwood.

7. Lansing Eastern (2-1) – The Quakers have had three Division I college prospects graduate or move to schools out of state over the last two years, but keep rolling. They picked up solid wins over Williamston (68-58) and East Lansing (55-50).

8. East Jackson (4-0) – The Trojans are off to another nice start coming off a 15-win season. They opened last week beating Brooklyn Columbia Central 51-45 before doubling up Manchester 102-61 – after another high-scoring 100-94 win over Manchester a year ago.

9. Saginaw (4-0) – The reigning Class A champion is on the move again. After beating Midland 86-77 and then Saginaw Heritage 81-34, the Trojans came back Saturday to beat a strong Detroit Southeastern team 57-56 in the MDSV Challenge.

10. Flint Southwestern (3-1) – The Knights are already halfway to last season’s win total, thanks in part to victories last week over Flint Northwestern (63-59) and Flint Powers Catholic (70-39). 

PHOTO: Grand Rapids Christian's Drake Harris attempts to drive around a Rockford defender during last week's win against the reigning Class A runner-up. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)