Preview: District 13

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoffs are almost here and the District brackets are set. District 13 is intriguing in the fact that more than a few of these teams rightfully feel that the bracket is theirs to win. We're going to take a closer look at District 13 and give you our predictions and some players to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QUARTERFINAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Hartland vs. Fenton</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monday February 24, 6PM @ Brighton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They played back just before the new year and Hartland won a decisive game by a score of 63-37. Fenton is playing better basketball right now, winning back to back games against Flushing and Corunna.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction - Hartland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SEMIFINALS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Brighton vs. Hartland</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wednesday February 26, 7PM @ Brighton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This could be a great game. Brighton won both regular season games, but only by a combined 12 points. Brighton has the size to dominate the glass, but Hartland has a couple electric guards that may not need offensive rebounds. If Brighton can defend the perimeter, it will go a long way toward a win. This could be an instant classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction - Brighton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Milford vs. Howell</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wednesday February 26, 5:30PM, @ Brighton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is another very intriguing semifinal game. The comparable scores are close, but favor Milford a bit. If Milford's big time players hit big time shots, like they usually do, then Milford has a great chance of advancing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction - Milford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Brighton vs. Milford</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday February 28, 6PM @ Brighton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's would be a lot of talent on the floor in this matchup. It's a great matchup featuring 2 deep teams that can any number of players step up. I watched Brighton earlier this year and I felt like there were probably 10 players that could make key contributions. Along the same lines, we all know how good [player_tooltip player_id='2058669' first='Carson' last='Lutz'] is, but I sort of expect another name to emerge as well from this contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction - Milford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1933877"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b733db7e4f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sundman is a high upside guard with a next level physical profile. He can shoot over the top and it takes a really high and fast closeout on his jumper. Sundman can score in traffic in the lane as well. He's good enough, and has good enough talent around him, to win this district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brandon Lovejoy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Brighton","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b733db7e604"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If Brighton does indeed square off with Hartland in the semifinals, they're going to need to defend the perimeter with Hartland featuring an all-star like backcourt. Enter Brandon Lovejoy. He's a fast footed high energy defender that can pose problems for talented opponents. On a side note, Look for Lovejoy in the next prospect rankings, as he already should have been there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Cooper Eckerle","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Howell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b733db7e6d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Howell has the task of slowing one of the best shooters in the state in their semifinal matchup. Eckerle can defend the perimeter and play chest to chest defense, even forcing a couple turnovers. If he had a big defensive game, it could help the Highlanders a ton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2399200"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67b733db7e748"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Everyone was expecting [player_tooltip player_id='2058669' first='Carson' last='Lutz'] in this spot. But I think [player_tooltip player_id='2399200' first='Owen' last='Stark'] will be key in this District. If they can beat Howell and get to a Brighton or Hartland matchup, they will need Stark badly. Brighton has quality bigs all over their roster and Hartland has Layne Broker, who is a very good post player. While Stark isn't a post player, Milford may need to utilize his height in these matchups. And if Stark can flip the script and take advantage of offensive mismatches against bigs, Milford is in good shape.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->