Girls basketball state tourneys tip off for Region teams with five districts
There will be no secrets at Summit Academy.
The Romulus school hosts a Division 2 District Girls Basketball Tournament this week.
It is essentially a Huron League tournament with all of the teams with the exception of the host school from that league.
“We are fortunate (and unfortunate at the same time) to know most of the district teams very well,” Flat Rock coach Brian Kryk said. “Having almost all Huron League teams gives everyone an equal chance in my opinion.”
That is one of five districts that includes Monroe County Region teams. Action begins on Monday with semifinal matchups on Wednesday and all five championship games at 7 p.m. Friday.
A look at all five districts follows.
Division 1 at Bedford
Gibraltar Carlson and Monroe tip off the district at 7 p.m. Monday.
That’s a rematch of a of a Jan. 5 contest that Carlson won 55-51.
More: Associated Press Michigan high school basketball state rankings
It was the return of Carlson coach John Mason to Monroe, where he was the varsity girls coach last season.
“Carlson plays hard and they get after it on defense, so we know we have a tough test in front of us,” Monroe coach Trent Moody said.
A tougher test awaits the winner.
Bedford will play the Carlson-Monroe survivor in the semifinals at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Mules are 19-2 and ranked No. 7 in the state.
“Everyone knows how tough they are and they got us good the first two times we played,” Moody said. “We have preached to the girls that games 1-22 do not mean much but games 23 and on are the ones you need and should want to win.”
The second semifinal Wednesday will features Trenton and Woodhaven.
Division 2 at Summit Academy
New Boston Huron gets the tournament started with a 5:30 p.m. game against Grosse Ile Monday.
The teams split a pair of regular-season games.
“It should be an interesting matchup,” Huron coach Chris Imperati said. “They are well coached and have talented players. We will have to be at our best if we want to get past them.”
Jefferson (4-17) will try to snap a 12-game losing streak when it takes on Summit (11-10) in the second game Monday.
Flat Rock will play the Huron-Grosse Ile winner in a semifinal game at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.
“I think if we can get (and stay) healthy and play well, we can get a chance to make it to Friday,” Kryk said. “We've got a few girls that are nursing some of those end-of-the-season injuries.”
The second semifinal Wednesday will pit Airport (14-7) against the Jefferson-Summit winner.
“"Our kids will be prepared and they understand the expectation is to play up to our potential, apply ourselves to the challenges, go compete for loose balls, box out, rebound, respect the game and compete at the defensive end and good things will happen,” Airport coach Darrell Mossburg said.
Division 2 at Tecumseh
Host Tecumseh is the No. 1 seed and brings a 17-4 record into the district. No. 2 seed Adrian Madison also sports a 17-4 record.
“I truly believe we have one of the tougher Division 2 districts in Southern Michigan,” Milan coach Rob Carlson said. “Tecumseh and Madison are obviously both great teams, but don't sleep on the depth of this district at all. All of the teams are very solid and capable of beating anyone.”
Ida (15-6) gets the district started by taking on 10-10 Adrian at 5:30 p.m. Monday. The second game that night features Milan (5-16) and Dundee (5-14).
“We are looking forward to playing Milan again,” Dundee coach Jay Briggs said. “They're a physical team and we have to be able to match that in order to come out on top.”
Madison will play the Ida-Adrian winner at 5:30 p.m. followed by Tecumseh taking on Milan or Dundee in the semifinals Wednesday.
Division 3 at Erie Mason
Huron League champion St. Mary Catholic Central (18-3) drew the No. 2 seed behind a Blissfield team that is 19-2 and ranked No. 4 in the state.
“Our district has capable teams, but the 800-lb gorilla in the room is Blissfield,” SMCC coach John Durbin said. “They are state-ranked and played in the Division 3 state championship game last season. They are loaded with experience and talent. Whoever gets a shot at them will have to play flawless and hope they have an off night.”
Erie Mason plays Whiteford at 7 p.m. Monday to tip off the district.
Blissfield gets the winner of that game at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. SMCC clashes with Clinton in the second semifinal that night.
“Getting into the district final will not be easy,” Durbin said. “Clinton is a very good team. They are similar to us in that rely on their defense to create opportunities and have a number of different players who can contribute. Should be a fun matchup.”
Division 4 at Lenawee Christian
Summerfield (12-10) and Lenawee Christian (9-12) are the top two seeds.
“Our district should come down to us and Lenawee Christian,” Summerfield coach Mickey Moody said. “We split during the regular season with each of us winning on our home floors.”
The first order of business is Ann Arbor Rudolf Steiner tangling with Britton Deerfield at 7 p.m. Monday.
Summerfield tips of Wednesday’s semifinal doubleheader against Ann Arbor Central Academy at 5:30 p.m. then Lenawee Christian plays Rudolf Steiner or Britton Deerfield.
“We are trying to win our third district in the last four years,” Moody said. “We feel we haven’t come close to playing our best basketball yet. We are looking forward to the challenge and will be very focused at the task on hand.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: No secrets: Familiar foes to battle in first round of state tourney
