D3 And D4 Semifinal: Previews, Players And Predictions

<p>The semifinals are here and great teams and top talent are ready to square off for the opportunity to play for a state title. I’m going to give you key players and my prediction for the semifinals in Division 3 and Division 4. Please comment and give us your prediction and key players as well!</p> <h2>DIVISION 3</h2> <h3>MENOMINEE VS. ECORSE</h3> <p>PREVIEW: Menominee is playing their best basketball at exactly the right time. They have a top notch defense that has made it tough on opponents to get good looks all season long. Ecorse has extremely high level talent and one of the best backcourts around. They play well together and do a nice job feeding the hot hand.</p> <p>KEY PLAYERS:</p> <p><strong>Aidan Bellisle (2022, CG, Menominee)</strong></p> <p>Bellisle provides a top defensive team with a creative scorer on the other end. He’s shown the ability to score in bunches and is very comfortable pacing his team.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1277369" first="Malik" last="Olafioye"] (2023, PG, Ecorse)</strong></p> <p>Let’s get right to it. In my opinion, Olafioye is one of the better guard prospects in the country. He’s shifty and fast with the ball in his hands and explodes to the rim.</p> <p>PREDICTION: Ecorse</p> <h3>SCHOOLCRAFT VS. FLINT BEECHER</h3> <p>PREVIEW: With a combined record of 45-4, this could be a great one. Beecher has guards and wings that can dominate in a high speed game. Meanwhile, Schoolcraft is notoriously tough with players that can attack and score from various spots on the floor.</p> <p>KEY PLAYERS:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1356947" first="Shane" last="Rykse"] (2024, CG, Schoolcraft)</strong></p> <p>Ryske went off for 23 points in a tough quarterfinal victory. He’s an underrated athlete that can offset some of Beecher’s speed. If he can be  consistent and high level scorer like last game, don’t be surprised if Schoolcraft comes out on top.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863936" first="Carmelo" last="Harris"] (2022, CG, Flint Beecher)</strong></p> <p>Harris is a silky smooth guard that can play effectively on or off the ball. He can score from multiple levels and is an underrated passer. If he controls the pace and feel of the game, Beecher advances.</p> <p>PREDICTION: Flint Beecher</p> <h2>DIVISION 4</h2> <h3>EWEN-TROUT CREEK VS. LAKE LEELANAU ST. MARY</h3> <p>PREVIEW:</p> <p>KEY PLAYERS:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="986885" first="Dylan" last="Barnowski"] (2023, CG, Lake Leelanau St. Mary)</strong></p> <p>Barnowski is an underrated overall athlete. He has the length to be a pest on both ends of the floor. Barnowski is aggressive offensively, often testing the D to see if he can turn the corner.</p> <p><strong>Eric Abramson (2023, G/F, Ewen-Trout Creek)</strong></p> <p>Abramson has come up huge in the playoffs and is really breaking out as a scorer. His combination of size, strength, and shooting will go a long way in determining the winner of this game.</p> <p>PREDICTION:</p> <h3>WYOMING TRI-UNITY CHRISTIAN VS. GENESEE CHRISTIAN</h3> <p>PREVIEW: These are simply 2 really good small school teams. Both squads have star power and terrific players surrounding them. Will it come down to star vs. star, or will the players around them determine the winner?</p> <p>KEY PLAYERS:</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863922" first="Brady" last="Titus"] (2022, PG, Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian)</strong></p> <p>Titus is coming off a monster game with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists. He’s trying to get his team to the title game for the second year in a row. Titus’ basketball IQ and offensive creativity are truly elite.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1170692" first="Trenton" last="Boike"] (2023, PG, Genesee Christian)</strong></p> <p>Boike went off leading his team to the Breslin Center. He scored 42 of his team’s 76 points in the victory. Boike has had a breakout season, proving to be an elite shooter and scorer in the backcourt.</p> <p>PREDICTION: Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian</p>