ELITE 8 Division 3 (QUARTERFINALS)

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>DIVISION 3   ELITE 8   (QUARTERFINALS)</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>IRON MOUNTAIN</strong></span>  - Iron Mountain Mountaineers (25-0) repeated as regional champions with a convincing 66-52 win over Traverse City St. Francis on Thursday.  The Mountaineers are led by Jr. <span style="color: #ff0000;">Marcus Johnson</span>, 6'5 F Sophomore <span style="color: #ff0000;">Foster Wonders</span> and senior Power Forward<span style="font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400;"> </span><span style="font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #ff0000;">Charlie Gerhard.</span>  T</span><span style="font-family: Lato, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;">he Mountaineers have a chance to avenge last year’s semifinal loss.</span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>SANFORD MERIDIAN</strong></span> - Sanford Meridian Mustangs captured a Division 3 regional championship with a 65-44 win over previously unbeaten and ninth-ranked Oscoda on Thursday.  Leading the charge for the Mustangs are Junior G <span style="color: #ff0000;">Trey Plichta</span> 6'5 PF <span style="color: #ff0000;">Lucas Lueder</span>, senior guard <span style="color: #ff0000;">Brett Barriger</span>. </p> <p><strong>GAMETIME:</strong><em> Mountaineers (25-0) VS. Sanford Meridian  (23-1) at 6 p.m. March 12 in Petoskey.</em></p> <p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>DETROIT EDISON PUBLIC ACADEMY</strong></span> -  The defending state champ Pioneers are back on a run again.  After a commanding 84-51 win Madison Heights the Pioneers are on game away from the Bresling Center again.  DEPSA is lead by 6'5 Guard <span style="color: #ff0000;">Brian Taylor</span> and 6-6, 230 -pound junior <span style="color: #ff0000;">Bryce George</span>.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>FLINT BEECHER</strong></span> -  The Buccaneers beat Unionville-Sebewaing  65-42 to advance in the State Championship.  The Buccaneers are favored to win it all this year and led by the talented junior backcourt of 6-0 <span style="color: #ff0000;">Jalen Terry</span>, who has multiple Big Ten offers, including Michigan State, and 6-3 <span style="color: #ff0000;">Earnest Sanders</span>.  Rounding out the strong backcourt is sophomore prospect <span style="color: #ff0000;">Keyon Menifield.</span></p> <p><strong>GAMETIME:</strong>  <em>DEPSA (18-7) vs. Flint Beecher (23-2)  at 7pm March 12 at St. Clair Community College.</em></p> <p>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>HANOVER-HORTON</strong></span> -   Hanover-Horton pulled away to defeat Dansville, 63-51, in a Division 3 boys basketball regional final.  The Comets are the dark horse of the tourney.  Brothers <span style="color: #ff0000;">Luc and Rhett Laketa</span> along with <span style="color: #ff0000;">Donovan Kennedy</span> and <span style="color: #ff0000;">Jack Brockie</span> all stand over 6'3 and give the Comets great length. They can all score and they move the ball effectively.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>ERIE MASON</strong></span> - The Eagles took care of Detroit Loyola 59-51 and <span style="color: #ff0000;">Joe Liedel</span> is one of the best kept secrets in the state averge almost 25 points a game.  6'3 Senior C <span style="color: #ff0000;">Bryan Sweeney</span> is an excellent defender and rebounder and senior <span style="color: #ff0000;">Jack Trainor</span> pitches in 11 points a game.  The Eagles are going to be a tough out.</p> <p><strong>GAMETIME:</strong> <em>Hanover-Horton (23-1) vs. Sanford Meridian Early College (22-2) at 7 p.m. March 12 in Tecumseh.</em></p> <p>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA</strong></span> - The Pirates grabs the regional title with a 53-42 win over Grandville Calvin Christian .  Look for 6'6 senior <span style="color: #ff0000;">Andre Smith</span> , 6'4 senior <span style="color: #ff0000;">Nathan Wirth</span> and 6'4 junior <span style="color: #ff0000;">Aarron Bears</span> to bring their A game as they provide size and athleticism to the front court.   Rounding out the front court are juniors  <span style="color: #ff0000;">Hunter Hengesbach</span> and <span style="color: #ff0000;">Collin Trierweiler</span>.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>CASSOPOLIS</strong></span> - The Rangers claimed their first regional championship in 30 years with a  62-51win over Schoolcraft. They are led by 6'1 senior <span style="color: #ff0000;">Tyrese-Hunt Thompson,</span> who put together a great season averaging  21 ppg.  Sophomore <span style="color: #ff0000;">Brayden Saxton</span> and junior <span style="color: #ff0000;">Darrion Gatson</span> can score and rebound as well. </p> <p><strong>GAMETIME:</strong> <em>Pewamo-Westphalia (25-0) vs. Cassopolis (22-2) at 7 p.m. March 12 in Richland Gull Lake.</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>