Pick the Winners: MHSAA Boys Basketball Predictions Division 3

Mr. Kessler (Newspaper Advisor)

As Regional Finals are coming up, Coach Kessler is going to pick all of the winners of the MHSAA Boys Basketball Championships… we featured Division 4 here–> http://nccpantherprint.com/home/2026/03/04/pick-the-winners-mhsaa-boys-basketball-predictions-division-4/… now onto Division 3.

Regional Finals

Arts & Technology Academy of Pontiac (16-3) vs Center Line Prep Academy (12-8)- Arts & Technology of Pontiac (to be further recognized as ATA), was a surprise last year as a State Runner-up. After their decimation of Detroit Loyola in the Regional semifinal, it is hard to think that anyone is going to stop the Lions.

International Academy of Flint (19-4) vs Harbor Beach (22-3)– If IAF had Ka’Shawn Gill, they would be among the favorites to win it all. The 4-Star Sophomore transferred to a prep school during the offseason. However, his brother is still at the school, and the Phoenix have had a great season. That great season comes to an end in the Regional Final where the Pirates of Harbor Beach use their big game experience from football to keep them sailing on.

Menominee (21-4) vs Elk Rapids (21-3)- Elk Rapids has had a great season, and is currently on a 12 game winning streak, including beating Glen Lake in the District Final. Menominee, however, has played a very tough schedule, winning the Great Northern UP Conference over D1 Regional Finalist Marquette and a strong D2 Kingsford. The Maroons also avenged a regular season defeat in the Regional Semifinals vs Ishpeming Westwood. The Maroons keep marching on.

Beal City (23-2) vs Pinconning (18-7)- The Aggies of Beal City beat perennial Breslin contender McBain to reach the Regional Final. Pinconning has defied all odds and made it to Houghton Lake Thursday. While the Spartans story is a great one, when it comes to their game against Beal City: no cheese. Aggies move on.

Springport (20-5) vs Flint Elite (19-4) – Many around the state were surprised to see the Warriors here instead of Jackson Lumen Christi. Many around the state should know not to doubt the job Greg “Ice” McMath does in the offseason to get his players ready for March. While Springport has performed well this season, they are not ready for the pure chaos that is the Flint Elite defense.

Onsted (23-2) vs Ecorse (19-5)- Onsted has been a consistently great Division 2 team for a while now. In their first year down in Division 3, expect them to move on to the Quarterfinals.

Grandville Calvin Christian (15-10) vs Pewamo-Westphalia (23-2)– In a previous article, you read about Coach Kessler’s affection for the CMAC. Well, PW was the dominant champion of the best small school basketball conference in Michigan. While these two schools have a lot of playoff history, and the Squires have played in a tough conference themselves, I just don’t see how the Pirates are losing this game.

Niles Brandywine (20-5) vs Schoolcraft (15-10)- While the Bobcats of Brandywine have developed into a bonafide Division 3 power in Michigan, Schoolcraft has the tradition and 6’9 Wayne St. commit Jimmy Miller. People will perceive this as an upset, but anyone who knows basketball in Michigan knows that playoff Schoolcraft is dangerous. The Eagles have won their playoff games by 38, 41, 38, and 41.

Quarterfinals

ATA vs Harbor Beach- Great season Pirates. Lewis Lovejoy and the Lions win this one…big.

Menominee vs Beal City- This would be one heck of a football game. While these traditional powers are used to making it this far on the gridiron, their basketball teams are nothing to turn your nose at either. While Beal City’s freshman 6’5 Grady Gatrell is a future star, the future is now up north. UP Power heads to the Breslin.

Flint Elite vs Onsted- Both teams are a little bit of surprises to get to this point. If you win a Regional Title, though, you clearly are doing something right. Flint Elite guards AJ Smith and Jeffrey Turner are electric and the Warriors turn people over. Onsted does something they didn’t get done in Division 2 and goes on to play at the Breslin.

Pewamo-Westphalia vs Schoolcraft- This is a battle of 2 Division 3 heavyweights in Michigan. Schoolcraft’s size and coaching causes issues for many schools. PW, however, is not like many schools. The Pirates have great coaching in Dominic Schneider and size along their frontline. Northwood-commit Grady Eklund leads PW back to the short drive to the Breslin Center.

Semi-Finals

ATA vs Menominee- Between Menominee and Felch- North Dickinson, the UP will be driving down in droves. Menominee may take a different route, but just like FND, they will run into too much. I think the game will be close, but Coach Orlando Lovejoy Sr. takes the Lions back to Saturday’s Final.

Onsted vs Pewamo-Westphalia– This one, I don’t think will be very close. Pewamo-Westphalia has 2 losses on the year in Division 1 District winner Grandville and Division 2 Regional Finalist Grand Rapids Catholic Central… both in close matches. Onsted has great coaching and great tradition, but like Thelens, tradition never graduates at PW.

Finals

ATA vs Pewamo-Westphalia- This game might be the best game of the weekend. ATA is loaded, athletic, has very strong guard play, and is coached well. You can say the same thing about PW, but with more size. After a couple years of playoff disappointment, the Pirates lift the sails on a championship season in 2026.