Boys Basketball Regional Preview.

Written Saturday March 10th at 6:10 PM

Before I preview the regional, I would like to congratulate the Farmington Gymnastics team on winning their first State Championship since 2006 on Friday at Rockford by edging Northville 144.75 to 144.40. Congrats to the Falcons on bringing the OAA another State Championship.

Anyway here is my regional outlook and predictions.

Region 6 @ Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit

FARMINGTON vs Detroit Martin Luther King
Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit vs Livonia Stevenson

INSIGHT: This is an regional that has the host school competing on it's home floor. Also the fact that there is one game at 4 PM because of Detroit Public School League mandates and there is one team from the Detroit Public School League that is in this district in Detroit Martin Luther King. The Crusaders beat Grosse Pointe South, Detroit Cass Tech, and Detroit Western to get to this regional. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit won a very tough district which had Hazel Park, Oak Park, and Detroit Renaissance in there. Farmington won a not as strong district but beat Groves and Harrison to win it's first district since 1998. Livonia Stevenson had to beat Livonia Franklin, Dearborn Fordson, and Redford Thurston to get to the regional.

FAVORITE: Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit: The Cubs have a ton of talent in Elijah Collins, Zach Winston, and Jalen Thomas for coach Pat Donnelly. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit also plays in the always tough Catholic League and is it's champion. They have had a very tough district, that featured the likes of Hazel Park, Detroit Renaissance, and Oak Park. The Cubs beat Detroit Renaissance, Warren Fitzgerald, and Hazel Park to get here. There is a reason why Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit is here after winning 20 games thus far.

NEXT: Detroit Martin Luther King: The Crusaders have had to survive their very tough district at Detroit Western. Detroit Martin Luther King is very talented led by Marcus Gibbs. Gibbs transferred from Detroit Cass Tech and was very instrumental in their win against the Technicians scoring 19 points. The Crusaders also have another guard in Jordan Whitford. Whitford added 18 points and forward Rashawn Cowan who's winning put-back gave them the win against their fellow Detroit Public School League rivals. Detroit Martin Luther King has beaten Grosse Pointe South, Detroit Cass Tech, and Detroit Western to get here.

WHO PLAYS SPOILER: Farmington: Well there is an outside chance that the Falcons could win this regional but it looks slim. Farmington has talent in Ray Bryant (had 25 points against Groves) and Christian Smith to go along with freshmen Terran Humes and Jared Atkins for coach Terrance Porter. The Falcons had to come back from a 28-16 halftime deficit to stun Groves in the district final giving them their first district title since 1998. I wonder if Farmington knowing that they have to play at 4 PM on Monday can pull off what would be an unthinkable upset, it's possible.

PREDICTION: I think playing at 4 PM hurts Farmington because of the Detroit Public School League mandate. I expect the Falcons to compete and try to make this into a game but the talent and athleticism will be too much for them to handle. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit being at home will blow out Livonia Stevenson and then takes on Detroit Martin Luther King in the regional final where it will be the Cubs heading to the State Quarterfinals. PICK: DETROIT UNIVERSITY-DETROIT JESUIT.

Region 4 @ West Bloomfield

CLARKSTON vs TROY
ADAMS vs Orchard Lake St Marys

INSIGHT: This is a regional that features four teams that have had different path's to get here. The first team is the defending Class A State Champs, another one is team that went to the State Quarterfinals last season, there is another team that has won two district titles in the last three years that has turned it's season around from 0-21 to greatness, and a team that has had a history of making deep playoff runs. Clarkston had to get by Lake Orion in the district semifinals to get back here. Troy had to get by Birmingham Brother Rice in the district semifinals to get back here. Adams had to get by Stoney Creek and Utica Eisenhower to get here. Orchard Lake St Marys had to get by Bloomfield Hills and Waterford Mott to get back to West Bloomfield.

FAVORITE: Clarkston: The Wolves return the majority of their team that won the State crown last season led by Foster Loyer, CJ Robinson, Taylor Currie, Nick Wells, Chase Wasilk, Tieler Houston, and Trysten Mysen. Loyer had 33 points in their win over Oxford and has battled a deep bruise in his left knee. Clarkston is well coached in Dan Fife and brings into the regional a 21-1 record

NEXT: Orchard Lake St Marys: The Eaglets are a loaded team led by Lorne Bowman and Caden Prieskorn. Bowman had 23 points against Waterford Mott in the district final and is well coached by third year coach Todd Covert. Orchard Lake St. Marys has played a tough schedule in the Catholic League and has won 14 games. There is a reason why they are here.

WHO PLAYS SPOILER: Troy: The Colts have a senior heavy team themselves led by Leon Ayers, Jason Dietz, and Danny Sully. Troy is well coached in Gary Fralick and brings a 17-5 record with two of those losses to Clarkston. It's always hard to beat a team three times in a season.

PREDICTION: I think there will be a rematch between Clarkston and Orchard Lake St Marys. The Wolves have had battles with Troy which included a 58-49 victory at Clarkston and 59-54 at Troy where Loyer had 49 points in that contest. It will be much closer this time around but I think the Wolves will win by five points. Adams is a very young team and will give the Eaglets a game but Orchard Lake St. Marys should pull through late. The Wolves and Eaglets have played once this season in Orchard Lake with Clarkston winning 56-43 back in December. It would be interesting if these two teams played again but it will be the same result and a possible clash for the Wolves with Flint Carman Ainsworth. PICK: CLARKSTON.