District Preview of All N. Michigan Contests – With Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a snow day for some. Will it affect the games tonight? I cannot predict that, but I would venture to guess that there might be some possible bonus coverage tomorrow. Today is a DATA dump - I want to clean out the notebook and put as much forth as possible on tonight's contests. For many seniors across the area, it's their final home game, and we want to celebrate that. I'm going to start at the top, division 1, and work my way right down the list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 1: District 1 Traverse City West @ Marquette SATURDAY 3/1 AT 5 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>TC West travels to the snowy North to take on the Sentinels in a huge district championship match-up. Muskegon vs. Rockford or East Lansing vs. Waverly are claimed to be the big games in D1 tonight, but I beg to differ- this one will be worth the price of admission. This will be a huge test for West's [player_tooltip player_id='2477378' first='Carter' last='Grubb'] as he faces off against the most consistent forward/center in Northern Michigan, [player_tooltip player_id='2471674' first='Jacob' last='MacPhee']. It will be an equally big test for Marquette's guards as the Titan's premier guard, [player_tooltip player_id='1372969' first='Lincoln' last='Lockhart'], has been lighting up the scoreboard all season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: MacPhee has his consistent 20+, Marquette by 4 in a barn-burner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 2: District 33 Negaunee @ Kingsford 5 PM </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final game for a few Flivver seniors on their home court is the highlight on this one. Standouts [player_tooltip player_id='1504837' first='Morgan' last='Sleik'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2058663' first='Gavin' last='Grondin'] will be playing their final game at home and will look to stamp it in a big way. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16505978/Gavin-J%20Trevillian?_gl=1*19zwlja*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NDk1OTUuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gavin J Trevillian</a> is also a 2025 who has been a treat to watch this year in this guard-heavy offense. Negaunee has had mixed success this season and has been dealt some unfortunate injuries. However, they do hold a lot of great shooters, and I liked their performance against Marquette towards the end of the regular season. Negaunee's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19076268/Jordan-Guenette?_gl=1*1968qrp*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0MTU4Ny43My4xLjE3NDA3NDIxMzcuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jordan Guenette</a> lit up the scoreboard in that one, and tonight I think he'll be tested on getting the ball up the floor against a very pesky Kingsford defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Grondin with 30, Kingsford by 18</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 2: District 34 Boyne City @ Cheboygan 7 PM </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This will be the one to watch for many Northern Michigan fans as these two are conference foes. They split the regular season, Boyne slightly edged Cheboygan in conference standings, and Cheboygan finished .001 points higher than Boyne in the district MPR - you see where I'm going with this. I featured Cheboygan's <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20094831/Nolan-Schley?_gl=1*1bgjrno*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NDk2MzguMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nolan Schley</a> as the cover image (Photo credit: Jared Greenleaf) because he was my player of the night on Wednesday. He put up huge numbers against Kalkaska in the district semi, having 28 points and 20 rebounds. He will need to show up big tonight, as will Cheboygan's guards. [player_tooltip player_id='2724009' first='Landon' last='Gahn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2430549' first='Gavin' last='Smith'] will need to show up composed and ready to play. Boyne will need numbers from their bigs and their bench. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/14938476/Drew-Neer?_gl=1*1cztgz5*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NDk2NzUuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drew Neer</a> had big numbers in the game I saw against the Sault, and he will need to have a big night if the Ramblers want to advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Chiefs by 12 </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 3: District 65 Ishpeming @ Westwood 6 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will there be anyone on the streets in Marquette County tonight? I doubt it. These school gyms are 4 miles apart, and the rivalry is about as good as you could imagine. Ishpeming Westwood held the edge on both regular season games by double digits, this will not be the case tonight. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16257179/Caden-Luoma?_gl=1*1b92dsf*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NDk3MTUuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caden Luoma</a> recently broke the all-time scoring record at Ishpeming, surpassing the great Jenna Maki. He also put in 44 in the district QF and has had two other 40+ games this season. [player_tooltip player_id='2561786' first='Ethan' last='Marta'] will likely hold the highlight reel in this game as he has had an equally impressive junior season for Westwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Luoma &amp; Marta both put up 25+, Westwood by 10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 3: District 66 Menominee @ Iron Mountain 6 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another storied career on the home court for the final time - Iron Mountain's [player_tooltip player_id='1441371' first='Oskar' last='Kangas'] has had a career that has notched two UP Player of the Year nods and multiple UP and conference awards. He and his supporting cast will look to shake the Menominee curse, who has toppled Iron Mountain the last two seasons in the district championship game. Menominee had a nice second half of basketball in the district semi to come back and defeat Munising, but will need to invigorate their offense if they look to advance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Iron Mountain by 16</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 3: District 67 Charlevoix @ Harbor Springs 7 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams are also conference rivals and split the regular season. I predict this one to be an extremely tight game, as the backcourts on both of these squads are very impressive. [player_tooltip player_id='2112170' first='Braeden' last='Flynn'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2218043' first='Rider' last='Bartel'] have consistently been the better backcourt duo in Northern Michigan and will need to show up in full force to advance past a very pesky Charlevoix.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Free throws will decide this one, Harbor Springs by 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 3: District 68 Elk Rapids @ Glen Lake 7 PM </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Could this one be the upset of the night? It has all of the makings. I've pointed some college coaches to this game, as multiple next-level kids are playing in this one. The block is where you'll want to focus your attention, as this will be a battle between old-school centers. Glen Lake's [player_tooltip player_id='2270808' first='Jacob' last='Plamondon'] has had an amazing season in the paint, and Elk Rapids' <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18984978/Wyatt-Bargy?_gl=1*5e1zxu*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NDk4MjkuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wyatt Bargy</a> has done the same. For Gen Xers like me, who like a grind fest on the block, this will be the game to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Who stays out of foul trouble? Glen Lake by 7</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 3: District 71 McBain @ Houghton Lake 7 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sometimes, I need a quick reminder of where the geographical Northern Michigan line is! Some debate it, but when in doubt, include the content. Insert this district championship game now, one that leans heavily in favor of the McBain Ramblers. Last year, the Ramblers made an amazing run to the Breslin after knocking off the Menominee Maroons in a thrilling QF game. McBain graduated a fair amount of talent last year, but the next men up, 2027 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/21259870/Clayton-Heuker?_gl=1*1q0dwzc*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc1OTM2My43NS4xLjE3NDA3NjIyMTYuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clayton Heuker</a> and 2025 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17229718/Benjamin-Rodenbaugh?_gl=1*fq2a9r*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc1OTM2My43NS4xLjE3NDA3NjIyMTYuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Benjamin Rodenbaugh</a>, have made some big waves this season. Houghton Lake has seen quality wins this season against Oscoda, as well as Evart in the District Semi-Final. However, the Bobcats' Cinderella story likely hits a wall tonight as McBain starts one of the biggest line ups in Division 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: McBain's trees are too tall, Ramblers by 19</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 4: District 97 Bessemer @ Wakefield-Marenisco 7 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we make our way to the far western border of the UP, I must admit, I have not seen some of these teams play. This is where I need to rely on the sources and the data. The Speedboys (I love that mascot name) have had a few impressive wins this season, including beating a tough Ewen-Trout Creek in the district semi-final game. The WM Cardinals have an equally impressive regular season record and look to advance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Bessemer by 2 in OT</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 4: District 98 Dollar Bay @ Baraga 6 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The district host, Baraga, gets the bonus here in hosting the higher-seeded Dollar Bay Blue Bolts. [player_tooltip player_id='1806436' first='Liam' last='Tourtillott']&nbsp;has had an exceptional season for Dollar Bay, a team that dominated both regular season games against Baraga.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Liam with 20, Blue Bolts by 14</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 4: District 99 Rapid River @ North Dickenson 7 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rapid River seems to be the Cinderella of the post-season so far, finishing the regular season with 6 wins. They hit a roadblock tonight as they lost to North Dickenson twice during the regular season by double digits.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: North Dick by 22</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 4: District 100 Norway @ Crystal Fall Forest Park 6 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one is in my top five to watch. I really like what both of these squads have to offer. Crystal Falls sports a young athletic lineup, while the Norway Knights have a veteran squad that plays hard-nosed basketball. Crystal Falls has a rising star in 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2622028' first='Vic' last='Giuliani'] and an excellent post player in older brother <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16164674/Kevin-Giuliani?_gl=1*99brfi*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NDk5MDIuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Giuliani</a>. We're also highly impressed with sophomore standout <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18601401/Dax-Huuki?_gl=1*j95dtw*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NDk5MDIuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dax Huuki</a> and freshman 5th/6th man [player_tooltip player_id='2759314' first='Aiden' last='Waldo']. Norway has a very impressive veteran lineup of <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16358703/Cole-Baij?_gl=1*18mimgy*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NDk5NzYuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cole Baij</a>, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17166487/AJ-Gallino?_gl=1*1u8oliy*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NDYxNzkuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AJ Gallino</a>, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16353773/Bryce-Adams?_gl=1*1u8oliy*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NDYxNzkuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bryce Adams</a>, and <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17166552/Mason-Trudeau?_gl=1*1u8oliy*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NDYxNzkuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mason Trudeau</a>. If you want to see two well-coached and highly disciplined teams, this is a game to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Close game through 3 quarters, but depth and size will prevail, CFFP by 11</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 4: District 101 Newberry @ Brimley RESCHEDULED FOR 3/1 AT 6 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're moving closer to my backyard, and one of these next two games will likely be one I will be attending. Newberry squeaked past Rudyard in the District semi in OT, a game in which Rudyard held a double-digit lead through most of 3 quarters. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19150645/Kegan-Martin?_gl=1*1ysy24r*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NTAwNjQuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kegan Martin</a> had some clutch plays to lift Newberry over the top in Wednesday's semi-final contest. Brimley is a heavy favorite in this game, as they have been seeing some consistent play out of wing <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20645335/Cooper-Jones?_gl=1*qznpvz*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NTAwOTkuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cooper Jones</a> and SG <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/15654140/Trey-Lynn?_gl=1*1kw07mp*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NTAwOTkuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trey Lynn</a>. Trey recently joined the 1,000-point club, and that milestone has seemed to put him in a more settled role. I like Brimley in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Brimley Bays by 13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>RESCHEDULED FOR 3/1 AT 6:00 PM IN BRIMLEY</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division 4: District 102 Cedarville-DeTour @ Pickford RESCHEDULED FOR 3/1 AT 6 PM</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 1997, this was District 123. I was a senior in high school at Pickford, and this same matchup was a district semifinal game that went into double OT. The relevance? The 1997 winner of this district final, DeTour, made it to the Breslin. Some oddsmakers say the winner of this one has a shot to make it to East Lansing as well. Cedarville and DeTour have since combined their athletic departments to co-op as the Cedarville-DeTour Islanders. Pickford is having one of their better seasons in decades behind the senior leadership of [player_tooltip player_id='2492563' first='Eli' last='MacDonald'] and <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16444393/Tommy-Storey?_gl=1*rgjcia*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NTAxODMuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tommy Storey</a>. Pickford's starting 5 is rounded out by <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18190756/Gunner-Bennin?_gl=1*rgjcia*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NTAxODMuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gunner Bennin</a>, <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16444399/Owen-McConkey?_gl=1*10xsgnp*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NTAxODMuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Owen McConkey</a>, and <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18190641/Kaden-Wiltfong?_gl=1*16vq1i4*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NDc5MzYuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kaden Wiltfong</a>, a starting 5 that should all find themselves somewhere on the All-UP list. Solid contributions also come from 2027 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20040757/Mason-Andrzejak?_gl=1*10xsgnp*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NTAxODMuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mason Andrzejak</a>. The Islanders are paced by 2026 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19039386/Drew-Moser?_gl=1*d3xn7w*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NTAzMDkuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drew Moser</a> and 2025 <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18953105/Wade-Goetz?_gl=1*d3xn7w*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NTAzMDkuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wade Goetz</a>. Solid paint minutes also come from NMU Football commit <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17178817/Welsey-Bennett?_gl=1*d3xn7w*_ga*MTUyMDM1ODAzNS4xNzI0OTM4MDM0*_ga_29LPHS2HWC*MTc0MDc0NTAyOC43NC4xLjE3NDA3NTAzMDkuMC4wLjA." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wesley Bennett</a>, who hit a clutch free throw to put the Islanders ahead in the waning minutes of the district semi-final game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Prediction: Pickford's heavy offense prevails, Panthers by 25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->