Class A and B Semifinals

Today, we will focus on the Class A and B.Typically, the best talent comes from these classes because they have more students at their school to choose from.But

Today, we will focus on the Class A and B.Typically, the best talent comes from these classes because they have more students at their school to choose from.But when everyone has more talent, the strength of schedule goes up as well.We know that the Class A trophy won’t go to Saginaw for the fourth time in a row, but where it might end up is anybodies guess.All the teams from Class A and B will play hard and hope to have a game on Saturday.

Class B

Zeeland East vs. Bridgeport (Friday 6pm)

The Chix of Zeeland East is the only undefeated team left.Coached by Mickey Cochran, they have rolled past everyone.Unity Christian gave them their biggest challenge, having taken the Chix to double overtime in the District final.This team has one pretty big guy: 6’5” senior center Nate Snuggerud.Everyone on the team has some size, but they are not what I would consider a huge team.Guard Korey VanDussen leads the team in scoring from his guard position.He is also a good free throw shooter.

Bridgeport’s Jason Kowalski has done a fantastic job with the Bearcats in his two seasons as the varsity coach.Although they are even smaller than Zeeland East, the team plays tough.The son of a former Piston, Darvin Ham Jr., is the starting guard and also the tallest player at 6’5”.He has the second highest point total on the team, trailing junior Derrick Davis Jr.Both of Bridgeport’s losses came to larger Flint schools, in overtime, by a total of five points.They can definitely score, but will need to keep the right matchups on the floor so they keep themselves in a position to win.

Inkster vs. Flint Powers Catholic (Friday 7:50pm)

Inkster is fighting an uphill battle, just like they did during football season.Coach Durand Shepherd has done very well over the past two seasons at Inkster (as well as his previous eight seasons as a varsity coach).They have a couple of big players and some small ones as well.Tiny reserve guard J.R. Mott is only 5’5”.Devin Gardner played well for the football team in addition to being a starting forward for the basketball team.Inkster will have their work cut out for them, trying to beat a Flint Powers team that has already knocked off Detroit Country Day.

This is a position many of the players for Flint Powers faced last March.They come into the semifinals again for the second time under third year coach Tim Herman.Powers backcourt duo of Patrick Lucas-Perry (sophomore) and Shane Moreland score a ton of points and big men Patrick O’Brein (6’4”) and Rodney Anderson (6’7”) pull down the rebounds.Flint Powers has a very large team and will do their best to exploit that fact.Lucas-Perry played well in the finals loss last season and showed that he can handle some pressure.

Class A

Clarkston vs. Kalamazoo Central (Friday 1pm)

The Wolves of Clarkston have been very close the past few seasons.They got tripped up by Saginaw teams in the previous four seasons.Coach Dan Fife has a lot of experience in his 27 years at Clarkston, but has not won that elusive state title.Like any Class A school, this team is huge.Their shortest starter is 6’ tall.Matt Kamieniecki is their starting center and is 6’7”.Leading the team in scoring is Brandon Pokley with 405 but Matt K has 248 and 146 rebounds.Could this be the year that they make it over the hump and get the banner and Michigan shaped trophy?

Going against Clarkston is a very tough Kalamazoo Central.First year head coach Michael Thomas learned from highly respected Saginaw High coach Marshall Thomas (no relation).This team isn’t as big as Clarkston, but they hade pretty decent size.After losing the second game of the season to Detroit Country Day, they have ripped off 22 wins, including the slowed down 33-23 win over Portage Northern.Douglas Anderson is the center of their team as well as the center of the offense.He has 417 points and 187 rebounds to lead the team in both categories.

Romulus vs. Detroit Pershing (Friday 2:50pm)

Romulus has won many close games in the tournament this season.They have a small starting lineup for a Class A team but keep finding ways to get that W.Coach Nate Oates has his players doing very well.Leading the team in scoring is Rashard Porter with 307.Derrick Kinney is second in scoring and the top rebounder on the team as well as being one of the biggest guys.The Eagles will need some fantastic play to keep a very tough Pershing team down.

Detroit Pershing has seen this before.They lost in the state title game last season.Fortunately, some of their best players are back.Derrick Nix is a GIANT of a man at 6’9” (signed to play at Michigan State) who has 267 rebounds (leads team) and 329 points (second on team).His teammate, guard Keith Appling is the team’s top scorer with 478.Appling has given his verbal commitment to Michigan State as well.Both of these players are very good and tough to defend.Scrappy forward Juwan Howard Jr. is the son of current NBA player Juwan Howard and makes the starting lineup even better.Coach A.W. Canada knows how to get the most out of his players and plays in tough Detroit Public School League.