After seeing a few more teams this past week, I feel a bit more comfortable in breaking down this year’s MHSAA tournament. Seeing Hartland, Brother Rice and a few more teams has me excited about the possibilities for the finals. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
Let’s start with the girl’s tournament. Oh yeah, there’s no “true” seeded tournament – so you may not, let’s be honest, you will not get the best vs. the best. But hopefully, it will change next year. In the meantime, we will break down the regionals as they exist.
Division I
Perennial power Rockford has struggled at times this year – so it’s not a forgone conclusion that the Rams will take the title. They have a play-in game against Holland West Ottawa and if they win, they’ll play a 1-11 Grandville team who “earned” a bye. That makes sense (sarcasm). Awaiting them could be Forest Hills N/E (ALM #4 in Super 10) in the Regional Semi-Final. And that makes NO sense.
Speaking of no sense, in the play-in game on May 21, Hartland plays Midland. I have both ranked in my Super 10. It looks like the winner will get a clear path to State semi-finals.
Northville and Brighton look like they are headed to a showdown in the regional final at the bottom of the bracket.
Predicted Final Four
1. Hartland
2. Rockford
3. Bloomfield Hills
4. Brighton
Sleepers: Northville if you consider Northville a sleeper, Forest Hills N/E, Midland
Division II
As I write this, my blood boils. DCD may have to play Marian in the first round. They are both ranked in my Super 10 (#1 and #6 respectively). EGR looks to battle with Forest Hills Central in the 2nd round.
You may see a Catholic league champ battle between Cranbrook and GP Liggett in first round action.
Okemos and DeWitt are tops in the upper quarter of the bracket.
EGR, FHC, Spring Lake and Grand Rapids Catholic Central are all in the other portion of the upper bracket. It’s loaded.
For the lower bracket, Detroit Country Day, Marian, Cranbrook, GP Liggett, and Notre Dame Prep are all competing for the one semi-final spot.
And, in the bottom portion, Mercy looks to be the favorite if they can get by Walled Lake Northern.
Predicted Final Four
1. Okemos
2. East Grand Rapids
3. Detroit Country Day
4. Mercy
Sleepers: DeWitt, Spring Lake, Cranbrook, Wixom St. Catherine
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