Predicting every MHSAA girls basketball state semifinal game
If it’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks, how about an old SOS?
Always looking to improve himself — and everyone knows SOS needs improving — the All-Knowing One found something bound to help his flailing career.
Many things have changed in the five decades since SOS was in journalism school, but back then there was not a class on different interviewing techniques, so SOS has been on his own over the last 54 years.
That is why SOS was so excited to learn of an upcoming seminar: “The art of how to ask irrelevant and moronic questions at the worst possible moment,” led by the Free Press’ own — and SOS’s main man — Shawn Windsor, who also introduced the ever-fashionable “homeless” look to sports writers across the country.
SOS is certain this seminar could do big things for SOS’s career because “irrelevant” and “moronic” have popped up on a yearly basis in SOS’s evaluations.
The seminar should help SOS this week as we head into the final week of the girls basketball season.
There are a number of intriguing story lines; one of SOS’s favorite involves the girls from Niles Brandywine.
They’ll try to accomplish what their boys team just did last weekend: Win a state title.
But what caught SOS’s eye was in the regional semifinal when Brandywine scored 39 points ... in the first quarter.
That’s right, 39 points in the first quarter, which, if SOS’s math is correct — and it usually isn’t — extrapolates out to 156 points over four quarters.
Brandywine coach Josh Hood is too good a guy to attempt to run up a score like that — SOS wishes there were more coaches like him — but it was fun to think about.
SOS is coming off a week in which he was 13-3 in the boys quarterfinals, 7-1 in the semifinals and a disappointing 2-2 in the finals.
So here are SOS’s picks for the girls quarterfinals, and here’s hoping he doesn’t ask too many irrelevant or moronic questions this week.
All games are at 7 p.m. unless noted.
Division 1
Rochester Hills Stoney Creek (20-5) vs. Grand Blanc (21-4) at Detroit Mercy, 5:30.
Who saw this coming? Grand Blanc? No, that’s not a surprise. Grand Blanc has shown a steady improvement all season and Chelsea Bishop comes up big in clutch moments. Stoney Creek? Well, that’s shocker as it moves into the quarters for the first time. But if Sarah LaPrairie keeps playing like she has been, anything is possible. Blankety-Blanc 65, Stoney & Wojo 56.
Holt (18-8) vs. Belleville (23-2) at Jackson Lumen Christi. Nobody saw Holt coming here. Presley Pazitka and Olivia Gadson got Holt through the regional, but this is a different ballgame. Just wait until Belleville unleashes its defensive pressure and freshman Sydney Savoury begins knocking down shots from all over the gym. Belle Tire 72, Halt Or I’ll Shoot. 61.
Rockford (25-1) vs. Holland West Ottawa (20-6) at Grandville. Defending champ Rockford had a significant loss when Sienna Wolfe underwent ACL surgery last week, Now the Rams must tackle Miss Basketball Gabby Reynolds, which will not be easy. Rockford Files 64, Wooden Shoes 61.
Temperance-Bedford (24-2) vs. West Bloomfield (24-1) at Detroit Mercy. Bedford’s Victoria Gray could give West Bloomfield problems in the paint. The Davis twins — Summer and Indya — will give the Kicking Mules trouble everywhere else. Getting ready for the rematch.
West Broomfield 68, Bedford Falls 57.
Division 2
Negaunee (25-1) vs. Flint Powers (23-3) at Sault Ste. Marie.
Sometimes some U.P. teams with outstanding records struggle when they face downstate teams in the state tournament. Take Negaunee, for instance. Its 25-1 record is mighty impressive, but can the Miners compete with some downstate powerhouses? Powers should prove a formidable foe, but SOS is expecting a big game from Ella Mason. He’s a Goner 57, Flint Power & Light 52.
Detroit Edison (20-3) vs. Goodrich (26-0) at West Bloomfield. As far as SOS can tell, Goodrich has played only one game closer than 10 points, and that was a two-point win over Grand Blanc, which is in the D-1 quarters. Edison has played in a mess of close games and Edison’s Isis Johnson-Musah wants to go to East Lansing. Thomas Edison 58, Goodyear 52.
Grand Rapids West Catholic (25-1) vs. Vicksburg (23-2) at Battle Creek Harper Creek. Until last week, Vicksburg had never won a regional game in school history; now it finds itself in the quarterfinals and on a 13game winning streak. Too bad it has to face West Catholic, for which playing in the quarters is business as usual. And the Falcons are riding a 21-game winning streak. Catholics West of Grand Rapids 54, Vapo Rub 49.
Tecumseh (22-4) vs. Ann Arbor Richard (26-0) at Ypsilanti Lincoln. Richard has been ranked No. 1 all season with the Rodriguez girls — Vanessa and Ava — leading the way. Adding 6-0 Cora Williams and 5-11 Saige Edmondson, both transfers from Ann Arbor Huron, has
sealed the day. Tecumseh coach Kristy Zajac may have to bring out her entire Britton-Deerfield playbook for this one. Richard L. Shook 54, Tecumseh Herald 48.
Division 3
Grand Rapids Covenant Christian (19-5) vs. Niles Brandywine (24-1) at Fennville.
Covenant Christian has won some tough games this season, but SOS isn’t sure it’s ready for this Brandywine crew. Miley Young, Adeline Gill and Kadence Brumitt were all outstanding in the reginal final win over Kalamazoo Christian. Brandy’s Wine 72, Ark of the Covenant 60.
Elk Rapids (24-2) vs. Lake City (24-2) at Houghton Lake. Elk Rapids is an outstanding team, but Lake City has both Alie Bisballe, who has signed with Wisconsin, and Kenzie Bisballe, who has signed with Grand Valley State. That pair would be a matchup nightmare for every team in this division. Town Pump Saloon 68, Elk’s Lodge 61.
Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest (17-9) vs. Sandusky (25-1) at St. Clair County Community College. Sandusky’s Al DeMott, the winningest coach in state history, is up to his old tricks again, brainwashing another generation of Sandusky players to believe defense wins championships. So far this season, it has won a league, district and regional championship. We’ll see if there is another one to come. Cedar Point 47, North by Northwest 43.
New Lothrop (20-7) vs. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (22-4) at Dansville. Katelyn Wendling is a prime-time player for New Lothrop, but the problem is Arbor Prep has three PTPers, beginning with the Utomi sisters — Stephanie and
Stacy — as well as dynamo point guard Taylor Wallace. Arbor Day 61, My New Lollipop 54.
Division 4
Ishpeming (25-1) vs. St. Ignace (18-7) at Gladstone.
There is a reason SOS has had Ishpeming No. 1 all season — the Hematites are loaded. Jenna Maki, Mya Hemmer and Jenessa Eagle are all capable of scoring a lot and there are others who can put on a show, too. That is why St. Ignace’s run ends a game short of The Bres. Mat Ishbia 66, St. Ingalls 60.
Fowler (23-3) vs. Mendon (23-3) at Gobles. So, what is this, 10 straight regional titles for Fowler? OK, maybe it’s only four but the Eagles are tough to beat in March. Fowler has won 12 straight games and with the way the Eagles are playing defense right now, they just might be playing at Breslin this weekend. Foul or Fair 43, Mendon Fences 40.
Frankfort (21-5) vs. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (23-3) at McBain Christian. Sacred Heart gets points from a variety of players, such as Megan Goward and Maddie Breece. And then there is Katie Liscomb, who plays tough defense. But SOS thinks Frankfort has played a tougher schedule, which pays off now. Dempsey’s Cottage 52. Scared Stiff 51.
Morenci (21-3) vs. Kingston (25-1) at West Bloomfield, 5. Kingston is on a remarkable 23game winning streak. Molly Walker has had some impressive performances. Emersyn Bachelder will have to come up big for Morenci. Kingston Trio 45, More ‘N See 23.
Mick McCabe is a former longtime columnist for the Free Press. Contact him at mick.mccabe11@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @mickmccabe1.