Michigan high school boys basketball state semifinals 2024: Predicting every game score
The SOS is always ready for some old time rock & roll, and in a way that’s what we got in the boys basketball quarterfinals.
SOS was stationed Tuesday at Detroit Mercy’s Calihan Hall — the best arena in the state to watch basketball — to see Orchard Lake St. Mary’s defeat Birmingham Brother Rice and North Farmington knock off River Rouge, and there definitely there was an old-school feel to the evening.
There was an outstanding crowd for the doubleheader, and SOS firmly believes there were more fans for those two games than those who attended every UDM men’s home game combined.
Of course, the UDM men’s program suffered through the worst season in school history and became an utter embarrassment to the program, the school, the city, the state and the continental United States. (SOS is waiting to hear from Alaska and Hawaii.)
The quarterfinals also reflected part of the change the state has undergone over the past few decades. There was no Detroit Public School League team in the quarters, but Zeeland West is now in the Division 1 semifinals.
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It took West football coach John Shillito a decade to convince SOS there really is a Zeeland in Michigan and now it is only one victory away from playing for the state title?
Speaking of West, its upset of Muskegon — say it isn’t so — was one of two D-1 games SOS missed on. Ann Arbor Huron’s win over East Lansing was anything but a surprise.
The 2-2 mark in D-1 was a not a great start for SOS, but the All-Knowing one missed only one other game the rest of the night: Detroit Old Redford’s win over Flint Beecher — how does Beecher lose in March?
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And where did Old Redford come from? Actually it is a charter school that popped up in the building that used to be Benedictine. SOS does not want to hear from Rick Storch and cohort Joe O’Connor asking if they are in the top 50 of Benedictine’s greatest athletes — close, but no cigar.
With the 13-3 record, SOS is looking to improve on that as we head to East Lansing with all of the state semifinal winners.
MHSAA boys basketball state semifinal predictions
Division 1
Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (25-1) vs. Ann Arbor Huron (22-4), noon, Friday: Huron has a legitimate star in Macari Moore, and teammate Justin Latham can add scoring when needed. It will be needed in this game. OLSM’s Trey McKenney is the best player in the state, and Jayden Savoury can be an absolute load in the paint. Point guard Sharod Barnes gets the transition game going, and the Eaglets head to the finals. St. Mary’s by the Lake 58, You’re On 51.
Zeeland West (20-7) vs. North Farmington (22-2), 2 p.m., Friday: In mid-December SOS received a text from North coach Todd Negoshian saying SOS needed to see Merritt Alderink of Zeeland West, which North had just beaten, saying he was that good. SOS thinks it is North’s Tyler Spratt who is that good and will be playing in the state championship game. North Harrison 61, Zeeland’s Best 57.
Division 2
Flint Powers (22-5) vs. Warren Lincoln (22-4), 5:30, Friday: Get out the track shoes, because this could be a track meet. Connor Kelly and Javontae Ross like to get the ball and go. But that can also be the game plan for the Blackwell twins — Moses and Marcus. Lincoln can also slow down the game if need be, and that could be the case here. Land of Lincoln 68, Flint Power & Light 62.
Grand Rapids Christian (25-2) vs. Chelsea (21-6), 7:30, Friday: People may not be able to appreciate how good Christian is. Jaylan Ouwinga, 6 feet 7, has signed with Toledo and will be the best player on the floor. Nate Johnson can score and play defense. Chelsea is one of the most fun teams to watch. Joey Cabana and Jake Stephens will take a ton of 3-pointers, and if enough go in, they can pull off a major upset. Onward Christian Soldiers 62, Jeff Daniels High 58.
Division 3
Niles Brandywine (24-3) vs. McBain (25-2), noon, Thursday: Brandywine is a balanced team and features Robert Whiting, who does all of the little stuff a team needs to pull out a victory. It will be a tough deal getting past McBain, a suburb of Lake City. Evan Haverkamp, 6-9, is averaging 16.8 points and 11.3 rebounds, and Ben Rodenbaugh helps in a variety of ways. Brandy’s Wine 55, McPain 53.
Detroit Old Redford (20-7) vs. Riverview Richard (23-3), 2 p.m., Thursday: Old Redford should have the best player on the floor in JaQuan Stennis, who can dominate a game despite being only a sophomore. But Richard can count on big games from Luke Westerdale and Nic Sobush and if Charles Kage gets going, the Pioneers will be playing in the finals. Cardinal Dearden South 56, Old Benedictine 53.
Division 4
St. Ignace (21-6) vs. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (22-5), 5:30, Thursday: A victory over St. Ignace would mean Jordan VanKlompenberg and Owen Rosendall will both end their seasons by playing in their fourth state championship game. To do that, however, the Defenders will have to find a way to defend Jonny Ingalls, who has been a natural scorer since kindergarten. Try Unity This Time 71, St. Clement 68, OT.
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (25-2) vs. Allen Park Inter-City Baptist (23-4), 7:30. Thursday: Guard play will be at a premium. Noah Zeien and Grady Pieratt and their other backcourt mates have carried Sacred Heart to this point and the Irish are difficult to defend. Ethan Esse is one of the best point guards in Inter-City history — coach Mark Kraatz not included — and him and Andrew Frank will be counted on to get the Chargers off to a quick start. Heart to Heart 62, Inter-Kraatz High 60.
Mick McCabe is a former longtime columnist for the Free Press. Contact him at mick.mccabe11@gmail.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @mickmccabe1.
Save $10 on his new book, “Mick McCabe’s Golden Yearbook: 50 Great Years of Michigan’s Best High School Players, Teams & Memories,” by ordering right now at McCabe.PictorialBook.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: MHSAA boys basketball state semifinals 2024: Predictions for each game
