MHSAA Quarterfinal Questions

A few hours out from Elite Eight round of the Michigan high school tournament. Some intriguing storylines have developed. Following are four questions from each respective divisions that will go a long way towards determining who plays in the Breslin Center this weekend.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division I: Can Cam Ryans do it again? </h2>   Unless you are currently in some type of social media embargo. You most likely saw what Western Michigan commit and Mr Basketball finalist pulled off last Thursday. With only two points at half. [player_tooltip player_id='1588161' first='Cameron' last='Ryans'] (pictured) came alive for 28 second half points. Including a buzzer beating three to win the game. However, those dramatics only tell part of the story. All year, when the lights have seemingly shined the brightest, Ryans has stepped up repeatedly.   Kicked things off with dominant early season performance in The Invite at Calvin University. Did everything in the Wildcats convincing victory over still tourney alive Grabd Rapids Catholic Central. However, the masterpiece was a 41 point outing in the 2k showcase where Northview handed defending champion East Lansing their only loss of the season.   That being said, the one place they did come up short was against their quarterfinal opponent Rockford. The first contest was a close one that could have gone either way. I will answer my question from the top. Yes, Ryans is going to show up in a major way. I'm sure of it. Can Northview's backcourt match the Rams deep but young unit. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='2141008' first='Brayden' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2140468' first='Anthony' last='Willis'] are talented and capable of slowing down the Rockford backcourt. I'll particularly be watching Willis. At 6-3, his size and length could be a x-factor in this matchup.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division II: Can Ludington pull the upset? </h2>   On paper, this would not be an upset of epic proportions. Ludington only has two losses on the season. However, Freeland returns their entire rotation from a quarterfinal appearance last season. Accordingly, they have been the odds-on favorite to get out of this pod. The Falcons run disciplined sets that get [player_tooltip player_id='1806407' first='Wilson' last='Huckeby'] (Saginaw Valley St) plenty of open looks from the perimeter. Huckeby is arguably the top shooter in the state. Saginaw Swan Valley transfer Cooper Wagner has added an on-ball playmaker that the Falcons were missing last year.   While the Wagner addition has helped. Freeland's could still be seen as slightly weak in that area. And if you want to talk about on-ball playmakers. Few have more than Ludington. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2951459' first='Taj' last='Williams'] is an explosive lefty who is fearless in attacking the basket. The familial duo of junior Messiah Himes and sophomore Kyle Himes Jr are similar players. A pair gridiron commits will square off down low. As the Orioles [player_tooltip player_id='2112225' first='Cam' last='Gunsell'] (Ferris St) will try to match the girth of Freeland's [player_tooltip player_id='1626883' first='Tristan' last='Comer'] (Michigan St)   Gunsell could be the key to deciding this game. If he could hold up at 6-3 against Freeland's size. He has the skillset to draw Comer away from the basket and open up driving lanes. If you were to draw a template of a team to upset Freeland, it would look like Ludington. Quickness, depth, and defensive discipline describe Ludington to a tee. I'm not predicting it, Freeland is really good as well. But it should be a good one in Mount Pleasant.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division III: Can Flint New Standard take over the Beecher... standard?</h2>   The old frustrated journalist in me can't resist the play on words here. For much of the 21st century the gold standard in this division was set by Flint Beecher. Seven state championship banners attest to that. However, with the Bucs now in Division IV. No one in Flint has stepped into that void... yet.   Since hiring former Saginaw Arthur Hill head coach Greg McMath, Flint New Standard has been knocking on the door for quite some time. Now in the quarterfinals, are they ready to take the next step? Going by the moniker of Flint Elite, the Warriors feature a dynamic backcourt. Sophomore AJ Smith Jr has been putting up eye opening statistical lines in a tournament breakout. Senior Jeffrey Turner is the veteran who has led this squad multiple years and has good positional size (6-1) Also watch out for fellow senior Deion Wright.   However defeating Onsted will be tough. The Wildcats have big guards with experience playing up in Division II. Particularly [player_tooltip player_id='1806435' first='Rylan' last='Henagan'] (6-2) who has been a four-year varsity contributor. Former Steeler coach Mike Tomlin was famous for saying "the standard is the standard". While I'm still not sure what that actually means. If Flint Elite can pull of the victory tomorrow. The "new" standard from Flint in the division just might be Flint New Standard.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Division IV: Who will be the last guard standing the Upper Peninsula? </h2>   This Upper Peninsula matchup will be loaded guard play. Undefeated Pickford got to this round last year and should be highly motivated to advance. The Panthers feature a four headed guard look. Senior Gunner Bennin is the main scorer, while Mac Collins provides plenty of winning intangibles. Kaden Wiltfong is the third senior who is a capable high-volume scorer. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='2623017' first='Carter' last='Yiirs'] completes the quad and makes Pickford very tough to beat. It's difficult for four high level scorers to have off nights.   The Blue Bolts from the far reaches of the Keweenaw Peninsula have the firepower to match Pickford. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1806436' first='Liam' last='Tourtillott'] is one of the top three-point shooters in the state. He doesn't have to worry about point guard and playmaking resposibilites with the presence of junior [player_tooltip player_id='2964366' first='Baron' last='Colbert II'] I was very impressed with Colbert in a Prep Hoops showcase in the fall. Unlike the other guards on this list he has good size at 6-1. Also watch out for senior Caleb Kentala.   Simply put that is a lot of strong guard play. This could be a high scoring barn burner. It could be a "last guard standing" kind of night" in Gladstone.

A few hours out from Elite Eight round of the Michigan high school tournament. Some intriguing storylines have developed. Following are four questions from each respective divisions that will go a long way towards determining who plays in the Breslin Center this weekend.