Class D
Southfield Christian vs. Lansing Christian
Southfield Christian is as battle tested as it gets this year as the Eagles have found ways to beat some of the top teams in the area in Class A and B. What makes Southfield Christian's run even more impressive this year is that they have zero seniors on this year's squad and are winning like a senior-laden squad. The Eagles are finding a way to win some of the closest games possible, like a two-point win over Climax-Scotts in the quarterfinals and a come from behind win over Inter-City Baptist to win in overtime. They may not be seniors, but Bakari Evelyn, Lindsey Hunter IV and Damarco White are playing exactly like seniors so far in the playoffs, and it's a big reason why the Eagles are back at the Breslin and why they will be playing for a second straight state title on Saturday.
PREDICTION: Southfield Christian 71, Lansing Christian 64
Powers North Central vs. Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian
Tri-Unity Christian is ranked No. 1 in Class D for a reason, aside from a narrow win over Muskegon Catholic Central, the defenders have made their postseason run look pretty easy. Powers North Central has had some convincing wins of their own so far in the playoffs, but have been challenged at times during this run, and the top ranked team in Class D will be too tall of a challenge for North Central.
PREDICTION: Tri-Unity Christian 66, Powers North Central 59
Class B
Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs. Cadillac
Country Day is in cruise control right now as the Yellowjackets have won each of their first six playoff games by a margin of 18 points or more. What's made Country Day even more dangerous during the playoff run is that Mory Diane and Austin Price are simply shooting the lights out for the Yellowjackets, while Edmund Sumner continues to get better and better, which creates a ton of mismatches all over the court for opposing teams. Country Day doesn't have its usual "aircraft carrier," as head coach Kurt Keener puts it, roaming the paint for the Yellowjackets, but the tandem of Chris Wright and Moe Ways with Poet Thomas coming off of the bench have been the unsung heroes for Country Day all season long.
PREDICTION: Country Day 81, Cadillac 65
Detroit Community vs. Wyoming Godwin Heights
Don't let the 17-9 record fool you, Detroit Community has played a very tough schedule this year, which includes narrow losses to Southfield Christian, Detroit Pershing and Detroit Southeastern and also suffered a loss at the hands of Romulus, and all four of those teams were in the Elite 8 of the tourney and three are still alive in the Final 4. Godwin Heights will prove to be a bit of a challenge for Community, but this battle tested Hurricane's team, led by South Florida commit Byron Ziegler, will move on to the state finals.
PREDICTION: Community 74, Godwin Heights 71 in OT
Class A
Romulus vs. Grand Rapids Christian
After beating top ranked Pershing in a wild quarterfinal game on Tuesday, this Romulus team has state champion written all over it. Romulus is one of, if not the best defensive teams you're going going to find in the state, it has also shown that it can score with the best teams around and that came out against Pershing in an impressive 93-91 win. Grand Rapids Christian does have a few players that you have to look out for, including Drake Harris, but Romulus has difference makers all over the court with Wes Clark who will play for Missouri, EC Matthews, who has signed with Rhode Island, Leo Edwards, who is headed to Louisiana Tech, and Jalon Plummer who has a few offers as well. Romulus just has too much for most teams to handle and that will likely lead to a state championship.
PREDICTION: Romulus 83, Grand Rapids Christian 68
Detroit Southeastern vs. Saginaw
Detroit Southeastern managed to knock off the last Class A team from Oakland County and did an outstanding job of limiting Rochester star James Young in the quarterfinals, but Saginaw should be the toughest test of the playoffs for the Jungaleers to this point. Before its four-point quarterfinal win over Ypsilanti, the Trojans were in cruise control as they were dominating almost every team in their path.
PREDICTION: Saginaw 74, Southeastern 70
Class C
Monroe St. Mary's Catholic Central vs. Flint Beecher
This game comes down to one player in my mind, and his name happens to be Monte Morris who can also go by the name of Mr. Basketball nowadays. Morris should create all sorts of trouble for MSMCC and that should show early and often in this game. If MSMCC can limit and slow down Morris, then it will have a chance to win, but nobody's been able to do that yet this year, and Beecher will move on to the state finals.
PREDICTION: Beecher 82, MSMCC 67
Laingsburg vs. Negaunee
Both teams have shown that they can play some top notch defense, and have shown the ability to score the ball with ease in some games as well, but the difference in this game could be Negaunee's Tyler Jandron, who averages nearly 20 points per game and has led his team to a near perfect 24-1 record on the year. Laingsburg is more than capable of handing Negaunee its second loss of the season, by Jandron should help the Miners survive.
PREDICTION: Negaunee 63, Laingsburg 62 in OT
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