Written Friday April 2nd at 11:30 AM
State Quarterfinal Preview.
FERNDALE vs Croswell-Lexington
It has been an incredible season for the Ferndale Boys Basketball program as they try to get their first ever State title.
The Eagles earned their first regional championship since 1985 with a forfeit win over Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy because of a COVID-19 case surrounding their program. Ferndale also has postseason wins over Hazel Park, Ferndale University, and Livonia Clarenceville and comes in with a 13-4 record with losses to North Farmington, Flint Beecher, Grosse Pointe South, and Orchard Lake St Marys but they have wins over North Farmington, Clarkston twice, West Bloomfield, Oak Park twice, and Detroit Fredrick Douglass.
Ferndale will play Croswell-Lexington on Tuesday night at Eastpointe in the Division Two State quarterfinals.
The Eagles have relied on Jason Drake and Treyvon Lewis to score. Lewis had 50 points against Detroit Fredrick Douglass and has been around 20 points per game. Drake has had numerous big games since transferring from Orchard Lake St. Marys during Christmas but what has impressed me about Ferndale is that they have gotten strong performances from their interior which was supposed to be their weakness in Chris Williams and Jack Kennedy. Cameron Reed has played well at the wing for Coach Juan Rickman and is only a freshman. Also they have developed their program strength and have built their depth this season.
The Pioneers are coming off a 55-35 victory over Pontiac Notre Dame Prep on Thursday night on their home floor. It was their first ever regional championship title ever.
Croswell-Lexington comes in to this game unbeaten at 19-0. They feature a very talented forward in Hunter Soper. Soper had 30 points and 16 rebounds against Pontiac Notre Dame Prep in the regional finals last Thursday night. The Pioneers also have postseason wins over Goodrich, Almont, and Armada. Soper has been very good all season long for Croswell-Lexington.
The winner will head to Grand Rapids and play either Grand Rapids Catholic Central or Benton Harbor at the Van Andel Arena in the Division Two State semifinals on Thursday afternoon.
Early Thoughts.
It has been a very good year for the Pioneers and for Coach Lance Campbell but they haven't seen a team like Ferndale. Not even in the Blue Water Area Conference will they see a team this athletic and has the speed and talent that the Eagles have.
Ferndale has played a really tough schedule including playing in the Red and the non league schedule was also nuts as well.
I expect Soper to have problems with the Eagles quickness and defense. I also expect the Pioneers will have trouble with Drake and Lewis. I'm keeping a close eye on the Soper vs Kennedy matchup in the interior but Rickman could give Soper some different looks which I expect he would. I would expect Campbell to do the same to Drake and Lewis as well.
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