D2 Quarterfinal Predictions
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The quarterfinals of the state playoffs are here! It’s that time —- The winner’s to the Breslin Center! The games will take place on April 5th. Here are your matchups, key players, and my predictions. Division 2 Detroit Country Day…
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Continue ReadingThe quarterfinals of the state playoffs are here! It’s that time —- The winner’s to the Breslin Center! The games will take place on April 5th. Here are your matchups, key players, and my predictions.
Division 2
Detroit Country Day vs. Imlay City
LOCATION
@ Ortonville Brandon
KEY PLAYERS
Jaidyn Elam Jaidyn Elam 5'9" | CG Detroit Country Day | 2024 State MI (2024, CG, Detroit Country Day)
Elam has proved to be one of the top high impact freshman in the state. Detroit Country Day will need her contributions to continue their run.
Mary Lengemann Mary Lengemann 5'11" | SF Imlay City | 2022 State MI (2022, SF, Imlay City)
Lengemann has had a solid season and terrific playoff run. Her offense and leadership will make Imlay City a tough out.
PREDICTION
Detroit Country Day has some elite young talent that carries them into the next round.
Detroit Country Day
Newaygo vs. Wayland
LOCATION
@ Vicksburg
KEY PLAYERS
Jaylee Long Jaylee Long 5'5" | PG Newaygo | 2021 State MI (2021, PG, Newaygo) and Jaxi Long Jaxi Long 5'7" | SG Newaygo | 2022 State MI (2022, SG, Newaygo)
I decided to go with 2 sisters because, together, they can lead Newaygo to the Breslin Center. They are both dynamic players that can make things happen with the ball in their hands. If the sisters get looks at the rim, they can advance.
Stephanie Ainsworth Stephanie Ainsworth C Wayland | 2021 State MI (2021, C, Wayland)
Ainsworth is one of the best pure post players left in the draw. She will be tough to contain in any matchup the rest of the year and could be a double-double threat in every remaining game.
PREDICTION
I like the outside-in combination of Parrish Hudson Parrish Hudson CG Wayland | 2021 State MI (2021, CG, Wayland) and Stephanie Ainsworth Stephanie Ainsworth C Wayland | 2021 State MI . They’re both playing excellent basketball at the right time.
Wayland
Escanaba vs. Portland
LOCATION
@ Houghton Lake
KEY PLAYERS
Nicole Kamin Nicole Kamin PF Escanaba | 2021 State MI (2021, PF, Escanaba)
Kamin is so tough in the paint. She can control the glass on both ends and can D up with the best of them. To get a win against Escanaba, you have to go through Kamin.
Ashley Bower Ashley Bower SG Portland | 2022 State MI (2022, SG, Portland)
Bower continues to show that she can be a primary scorer on a state title contending team. She’s playing excellent basketball right now.
PREDICTION
I picked against Portland before, and I learned my lesson. They’re just playing so well right now as a team.
Portland
Parma Western vs. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard
LOCATION
@ Chelsea
KEY PLAYERS
Hillary Griffin Hillary Griffin SF Parma Western | 2022 State MI (2022, SF, Parma Western)
Griffin is a real threat off the wing and a top 40-60 prospect in the class of 2022. She will have a huge influence on the outcome of this game.
MaryKate McAuliffe (2022, SF, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard)
McAuliffe may not be the star of this team, but her importance to it’s success is tremendous. She’s replacing a very talented Rileigh Garbarz Rileigh Garbarz PF Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard | 2021 State MI who is out with an injury. McAuliffe is doing a more than admirable job and looks to continue her run of solid play.
PREDICTION
I hate picking against Coach Cain, who I think is one of the top coaches around. But Parma Western has a trio of talented perimeter players that’s tough to contain.
Parma Western