Son of Swami's boys quarterfinals picks – Detroit Free Press

Before we turn to the final week of the boys basketball season, the Son of Swami has a question:

Has the Calumet girls team arrived home yet?

Actually, SOS learned that when Calumet’s team bus reached God’s side of The Mackinac Bridge Sunday, there were people waiting. The St. Ignace girls team was there and escorted the Copper Kings into the Upper Peninsula, signifying the first time two U.P. girls teams won state championships in the same year.

Speaking of St. Ignace, its rally from a 20-point deficit in the third quarter reminded SOS how pathetically old he is now. The game reminded SOS of Farmington Hills Mercy’s comeback in 1982 when it trailed four-time defending Class A champ Flint Northern by 19 points entering the fourth quarter and 18 with under seven minutes to play and managed to win.

Now SOS turns his undivided attention to the boys tournament, which has a spectacular quarterfinal lineup tonight.

SOS will be camped out at Calihan Hall to see Clarkston play U-D Jesuit and then Detroit Western against Ypsilanti.

If he couldn’t get two games for the price of one, SOS would be trying to sneak into what will be packed house at Lansing Eastern to see defending champ Muskegon — coming off a four-overtime squeaker over Hudsonville — against Lansing Everett.

If you are wondering who will win those games … keep reading. All games are 7 p.m. unless noted:

Class A

Lansing Everett (23-2) vs. Muskegon (23-1) at Lansing Eastern. This game isn’t at Everett, but the Vikings will have what amounts to home-court advantage here. If Muskegon Mr. Basketball Deyonta Davis and Everett finalist Trevor Manuel battle to a draw, it will be up to someone else like Muskegon’s Joeviair Kennedy to be the difference-maker. Muskie’s Gone 71, Magic High 68.

Walled Lake Central (20-5) vs. Saginaw Arthur Hill (22-3) at Grand Blanc. It has been a while since Arthur Hill has graced us with its presence in the semifinals. While Central can offer high-scoring junior Walter Kelser, they will need someone else to be able to attack Arthur Hill’s combo of Eric Davis and Brian Bowen. SOS suggests Central Teacher of the Year Liz Kolon, who was a lock down defender back in high school. Over the Hill 71, Walled Luck 62.

Clarkston (24-0) vs. U-D Jesuit (21-3) at Calihan Hall, 5:30. This is a matchup of two incredible guards — U-D Jesuit junior Cassius Winston and Clarkston freshman Foster Loyer. (By the way, will someone please check Loyer’s birth certificate? He can’t really be a freshmen.) But chances are the big fellas will decide this one, and that is where U-D has an edge. DUD-Jesuit 62, Last Train to Clarksville 59.

Ypsilanti (19-4) vs. Detroit Western (23-0) at Calihan Hall. Some may be surprised to see Ypsi in this game, but not SOS. He has known for years that Steve Brooks is a terrific coach. But beating this Western team featuring McFly! and his buddies is another thing altogether. Western Omelet 54, Yipes! 51.

Class B

Otsego (22-3) vs. Milan (23-2) at Marshall, 6:30. OK, the preliminaries are over for defending champ Milan. Things are serious now, and no one is more serious than Otsego’s Seth Dugan. It will be up to Milan’s Nick Perkins, who had to defend Onsted’s 6-10 Austin Davis in the regional final, to take care of the 7-foot Dugan. That is why it is important for guard Latin Davis to have another big game for Milan. Dragway 67, OutSheGoes 65, OT.

Wyoming Godwin Heights (23-1) vs. Spring Lake (18-7) at Rockford. Godwin Heights would like an instant replay of last year’s quarterfinal victory over Spring Lake. To do that it will have to keep Keegan George under control and get good efforts from Delaney Blaylock and Michael Williams. Good Win 66, Spring Break 58.

Essexville-Garber (21-4) vs. Cadillac (17-8) at Mt. Pleasant. This is old hat to Cadillac, which has been to the quarters in each of the last five seasons. As for Essexville-Garber, well, this has happened absolutely zero times in the history of the school. Not even the great Jon Paul Morosi could get the Dukes a regional title, much less a spot in the final four. Escalade 55, Morosi High 51.

Detroit Henry Ford (18-5) vs. New Haven (25-0) at Marysville. Since Henry Ford’s Josh Davis dedicated Ford’s district championship to SOS — as well as everyone else in the free world — will SOS also get the quarterfinal victory dedication, too? But this one is going to be tough because New Haven’s unbeaten record isn’t an accident. Hank High 60, Seventh Heaven 56.

Class C

McBain (22-2) vs. Boyne City (20-5) at Gaylord. It is always good to see McBain, a suburb of Lake City, make a long tournament run, but SOS has a feeling it’s going to end in Gaylord. It will be Boyne City moving on, thanks to Central Michigan recruit Corey Redman, who can hurt you in a variety of ways. Boing City 66, McPain 61.

Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian (19-5) vs. Shelby (23-1) at Zeeland East. NorthPointe’s Kual Nhial will be an absolute matchup nightmare for Shelby. But NorthPointe will have to keep an eye on Danny Beckman every time he touches the ball. NorthPole 59, Shelby Strother 57.

Hanover-Horton (23-1) vs. Monroe St. Mary CC (22-3) at Ann Arbor Huron. Hanover, not to mention Horton, became it a final four favorite the moment it knocked off No. 2 Jackson Lumen Christi in the districts. But take SOS’s word for it, St. Mary guard Bryce Windham is a special player. Ray Lauwers High 63, Turnover-Horton 62.

Millington (19-5) vs. Flint Beecher (23-1) at Burton Bendle. Millington has a terrific backcourt in Shawn Pardee and Austin LeVan. But we’re talking about Flint Beecher here, and even without Monte Morris, Beecher owns March almost as much as Tom Izzo does. Beechnut 55, Corky’s School 52.

Class D

Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (14-10) vs. Morenci (22-2) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix. Yeah, SOS knows that Morenci has an infinitely better record than Tri-unity, but this is March and you might say that Tri-unity coach Mark Keeler is like Tom Izzo in March. Tri-unity’s team is called the Defenders and that is how they have won 10 of their last 11 games. Triumvirate 57, MorenS-K-I Situation 52.

Waterford Our Lady (24-0) vs. Genesse Christian (17-6) at West Bloomfield. This version of Lakes basketball is no Cinderella candidate. The Catholic League champs are the real deal and so is Nick Robak, who just might be better than his all-state sisters. Waterford Our Gal 68, Genesse Cream Ale 60.

Fulton-Middleton (20-4) vs. Frankfort (22-2) at Cadillac. Frankfort can play a smothering defense, which is a good idea when it comes to trying to guard Fulton’s Colton Antes, who is dangerous beyond the ark. Frankfort’s David Loney is dangerous the moment he walks out of the locker room. Frank & Beans 63, Fulton’s Folly 58.

Hillman (23-1) vs. Powers North Central (24-0) at Sault Ste. Marie. Hillman could be in a little trouble here. North Central isn’t going to turn the ball over as frequently as St. Ignace did, and there is no way the Jets are going to shoot 1 of 18 from three-point land again. Caleb Martin will have a big night inside for North Central. North Western 70, Hillgirl 65.

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