Pick the Winners: MHSAA Boys Basketball Predictions Division 4

Mr. Kessler (Newspaper Advisor)

As Regional Finals are coming up, Coach Kessler is going to predict the winners of the MHSAA Boys Basketball Titles.

The high school basketball season is in the thralls of the most exciting time of the year– March Madness! Or February Frenzy, since this year the boys tournament kicked off in the last week of February. If you are looking to see who will win it all at the Breslin Center, look no further. Losing in the Regional Semi-Finals, this makes it difficult on Coach Kessler. Call it his Lenten Penance. Let’s go smallest to biggest…

Division 4 Regional Finals

Dollar Bay (22-2) vs Felch North Dickinson (21-3)– Battle of UP Powers here. Dollar Bay avenged an earlier season lost to Barega in the District Finals, while Felch North Dickinson beat a Crystal Falls Forest Park team they had lost to in the regular season 39-77 in the Regional Semi-Finals. Give me the Nordics in this one.

Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian (17-7) vs Pickford (24-0)- Not overthinking this one. The Panthers continue their undefeated season.

Detroit Douglass (18-7) vs Southfield Christian (20-5)- Southfield Christian is a traditional Division 4 power who has had a phenomenal season. Detroit Douglass has gone through an absolutely brutal schedule. Not only do they compete in the rugged Detroit PSL, they also have out of conference wins vs Detroit Voyageur, Saginaw United, and Country Day. They then knocked off Allen Park Inter-City Baptist in the Regional Semi-Final. While the Hurricanes might be a year ahead of where they should be, the young Hurricanes will blow into the QuarterFinal.

Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (18-6) vs Ubly 16-8- Both teams are getting hot at the right time. But it’s Lent, so give me the Catholics. Lakers move on.

Colon (21-4) vs Battle Creek St. Philip (16-8)- This is the 3rd meeting between the two teams this season. In the first two matchups, Colon won close battles. There’s an old adage about beating a team 3 times in one season… I think it holds true this game. The Fighting Tigers beat the Magi (anything I could do to throw in those nicknames I would).

Concord (21-4) vs Petersburg-Summerfield (18-7)- Petersburg-Summerfield has had a magical run, but Cinderella’s slipper shatters against a strong Concord team backed by two 1,000 point scorers in Connor Stevens and Jett Smith.

Traverse City Christian (25-0) vs Onekama (16-10)- This is Coach Kessler’s biggest upset of this round. Traverse City Christian is undefeated and many have penciled then into the Quarter Finals, but Onekama has the size that can cause any Division 4 team issues.

Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian (23-1) vs Fowler (23-2) – This is a rematch of the State Championship last year, and this should be a barn burner. The Defenders bring a sterling record of 23-1, plus are the two-time defending state champions. Fowler, however, boasts a gaudy record themselves, playing in the best small school league in the state, the CMAC. Fowler’s only 2 losses are to Pewamo-Westphalia (more on them in a later article). The Eagles get revenge and soar over Tri-Unity.

Quarterfinals

Felch-North Dickinson vs Pickford- Continuing not overthinking it and picking Pickford. Senior Gunner Bennin can score in bunches for the Panthers. I think the Norse make it difficult, but Pickford will be the UP representative in Division 4.

Detroit Douglass vs Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes- This will be one of Douglass’ easier games of the playoffs as they roll into the Semifinals.

Battle Creek St. Phillip vs Concord– St. Phillip had a great run, but Concord is just too strong for them. Concord’s regular season scheduling helps them move on to the Breslin.

Onekama vs Fowler- Onekama’s size in 6’5 Luke Bradford and 6’6 Brandon Brindle have caused issues for opponents this postseason. However, Fowler has the size to matchup with the Portagers, plus big game experience. Fowler’s experience, size, and overall talent takes them back to the Breslin.

Semifinals

Pickford vs Detroit Douglass- UP Power will travel well for the Semis in East Lansing, but it won’t be enough. Douglass has too much speed, athleticism, skills, and coaching prowess in championship winning coach Pierre Brooks. The Hurricanes hand Pickford their first loss of the season, and super, scintillating, sensational freshman Damani Oliver get ready for the 10 AM matchup Saturday.

Concord vs Fowler- These teams faced off earlier this year at Fowler with the Eagles pulling off a close win. While the tides could easily reverse, Coach Kessler thinks Coach Kam Riley and the Eagles are more motivated than ever to take home the big prize. Fowler is back in the finals.

Finals

Detroit Douglass vs Fowler- The CMAC is the premier small school basketball conference in the state. Every game is competitive. Every coach is good. The Detroit PSL is possibly the premier basketball conference in the state… regardless of school size. Douglass competed well in the PSL. However, the Hurricanes are possibly a year too early and Fowler is chomping at the bit to win after last year’s disappointment. Between the short distance and the championship game experience, the Eagles will fly over Division 4 lifting their first title trophy since 1952.