Here is an overview of the boys basketball state tournament, which begins today and ends March 26 at the Breslin Center. (Check out the full district schedule here.)
Detroit Western’s Josh McFolley holds the championship trophy as they celebrate after their 62-59 win over Saginaw Arthur Hill in the Class A final on March 28, 2015, in East Lansing.
Class A
Defending champ: Detroit Western. The Cowboys lost some key players from last year’s team, but got off to a terrific start before fading late in the season. It will have to get past Detroit East English Village on Wednesday just to get to the district final.
Toughest district: At East Lansing. The unbeaten host, featuring sophomore sensation Brandon Johns, has to get by a good Waverly team just to get to an even better DeWitt team in the semifinals. Haslett, with high-scoring Brandon Allen, or Grand Ledge will be waiting in the final.
Final four: U-D Jesuit, Macomb Dakota, Warren De La Salle, Grand Rapids Christian.
Player who could crash the party: Algevon Eichelberger, Saginaw. The 6-7 senior who left Saginaw after his sophomore year to play for a club team in California, returned midway through this season, and he has a double-double every game. The key could be a potential quarterfinal matchup against Macomb Dakota.
State champ: U-D Jesuit. Armed with the top player in the state in guard Cassius Winston, the Cubs should win their first state title. Having the 6-9 twin towers — Greg Eboigbodin and Ike Eke — are perfect complements for Winston. Someone is going to have to play a near perfect game to beat the Cubs.
Meet the finalists for Michigan’s Mr. Basketball
Class B
Wyoming Godwin Heights Leon Redd, left, and Essa Kellah celebrate after their 85-68 win over Detroit Henry Ford in the Class B final on March 28, 2015, in East Lansing.
Defending champ: Wyoming Godwin Heights. With four starters back, led by Leon Redd and Lamar Norman, this team has played well most of the time, except for last week’s drilling by Grand Rapids Christian. But it remains No. 1.
Toughest district: At Buchanan. Benton Harbor is the favorite, but there are a couple of other teams that could win this district. The Tigers will have to get past an excellent Dowagiac team to get to the district final where it could find Stevensville Lakeshore, a team that has underperformed most of the season but is capable of getting to the Breslin Center.
Final four: New Haven, Godwin Heights, Big Rapids, Benton Harbor.
Player who could crash the party: Austin Davis, Onsted. There is no other big man who can match up with the Michigan-bound 6-10 power player deluxe. Onsted guards will have to be able to handle pressure unlike any they have seen so far. But if they can beat the press, Davis can finish the deal.
State champ: Godwin Heights. This could be a foolish choice because Godwin Heights could be one-and-done when it takes on a very good Wayland team in the district opener tonight. But Norman is a terrific player, and Redd is the kind of steadying influence a state championship team needs.
Flint Beecher’s Aquavius Burks raises the championship trophy to the fans after their 78-52 win over Grand Rapids NorthPointe in the Class C final on March 28, 2015, in East Lansing.
Class C
Defending champ: Flint Beecher. The Bucs will be seeking their fourth title in five years, with a different style than last year’s fire-and-fall-back outfit. This team still can score a lot of points, but it plays even better defense. The problem will be a tough tournament route.
Toughest district: At Detroit Loyola. Although the Elk Rapids district features five good teams, the Loyola district has three top-level teams, and Wednesday’s Loyola-Detroit Allen game will eliminate one of the top teams in the state. The winners will face a tough Detroit Edison team. The state champ could come from here.
Final four: Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, Negaunee, Flint Beecher, Detroit Allen.
Player who could crash the party: Gage Kreski, St. Ignace. How can you pass on the Upper Peninsula’s all-time leading scorer? This won’t be easy because Negaunee and Iron Mountain are excellent teams, and the Saints will have to beat both to get to the quarterfinals.
State champ: Flint Beecher. This is the least favored Beecher has been entering a tournament in several seasons. The Bucs will face two tough opponents just to get to the regional where an excellent Southfield Christian team will be waiting. If Beecher can get to the Breslin, it likely will have to face Detroit Allen in the semifinals.
Powers North Central’s Jason Whitens, with the Class D championship trophy, poses with his father, Gerald, who was on Powers North’s last championship team in 1984 after the win over Morenci in the Class D final on March 28, 2015, in East Lansing.
Class D
Defending champ: Powers North Central. This team was so much fun to watch last season in posting two impressive victories once it got to the Breslin Center.
Toughest district: At Lake Linden-Hubbell. Lake Linden is the favorite, but it will have a tough game with Dollar Bay and Ontonagon just to get to the district final, where Chassell or Painsdale-Jeffers will be waiting.
Final four: Adrian Lenawee Christian, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, Frankfort, Powers North Central.
Player who could crash the party: Evan Kraatz, Allen Park Inter-City Baptist. This guy is more than just a shooter, and he is a terrific shooter.
State champ: Powers North Central. Jason Whitens leads an amazingly balanced attack that doesn’t necessarily depend on one player’s scoring.
Contact Mick McCabe: 313-223-4744 or mmccabe@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mickmccabe1.
Coaches!
Call in results to the Free Press at 313-222-6660 or 800-678-6728 anytime after 6 p.m. weekdays and 3 p.m. Saturdays.