MLive predicts boys of high school basketball champions, hypothetical or not – MLive.com

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a radio interview on Friday that it is “very unlikely” that students will return to school this year as the country and the world grapple with the pandemic COVID-19 coronavirus.

Shortly after Whitmer’s comments on Friday, Michigan High School Athletic Association spokesperson John Johnson told MLive that it was too early to say whether or not sports would resume in the state if schools did not reopen not.

Today was supposed to be the big day: the boys’ national basketball finals at the Breslin Center, but the world of sports is on hold. It is a disappointment. But if it’s a consolation, fans can order instant downloads of the 2019 Michigan Boys’ Basketball State Finals from the MHSAA.TV website.

In addition, Fox Sports Detroit will replay the 2019 games today with the first game starting at 10 a.m. and the last contest at 6:30 p.m.

Whether the state finals can take place on the road, or if not, sports journalists at the MLive High School have their opinions on how things could / could go.

Here are our predictions for the 2020 Men’s Basketball State Championships:

SECTION 1

The MLive “experts” really liked the bottom half of Division 1 support, as hard as it sounds. In fact, the nine journalists believe the state champion would come from this side of the range, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s receiving the most love and reigning state champion Ypsilanti Lincoln receiving a few nods. There were many believers in Muskegon for the top half of the slice.

Hugh bernreuter

Muskegon vs. Clarkston

Winner: Clarkston

Clarkston goes through a Division 1 glove to the final, beating River Rouge, Orchard Lake St. Mary and Mount Pleasant. River Rouge won an emotional victory against defending champion Ypsilanti Lincoln before falling to Clarkston. Muskegon follows Jarvis Walker to win Macomb Dakota and Ryan Rollins in semi-finals, but Muskegon falls short of Clarkston duo of Matt Nicholson 7-1 senior and Fletcher Loyer, second-year guard Fletcher Rent.

***

Scott DeCamp

Muskegon c. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Winner: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Muskegon has struggled with some inconsistency at times, but when the Big Reds started rolling – especially their punch in the backcourt of Jarvis Walker II (Purdue-Fort Wayne) and Vern Nash III (Saginaw Valley State) – they were as good as anyone in Michigan. OLSM, meanwhile, has the highest Michigan Power Rating (MPR) in the state and it’s not even close. The Eaglets have their own dynamite duo in Wisconsin signatory Lorne Bowman and Julian Roper.

***

Steve Kaminski

Winner: Ypsilanti lincoln

Ypsilanti Lincoln is the reigning state champion and has the nation’s best sophomore player Emoni Bates. If they ever fire this season, the Railsplitters will go all the way.

***

Patrick Nothaft

Muskegon c. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Winner: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

It’s a shame the boys’ tournament ended when he did because the district semi-finals involved several clashes between state title contenders, including Ann Arbor Huron against Ypsilanti Lincoln and River Rouge against Cass Tech. With victories over Clarkston, Grand Blanc, Hudsonville and Cass Tech, the second-ranked Orchard Lake St. Mary’s had a championship summary a manageable path on an otherwise laden side.

***

Jared Purcell

Muskegon c. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Winner: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

It was so hard to understand because of the opening of Division 1. St. Mary’s played excellent basketball and has so many weapons. Basketball finalist Lorne Bowman, junior Julian Roper and sophomores Kareem Rozier and Jason Drake offer excellent depth of care at St. Mary’s. I see St. Mary’s beating Clarkston in the region final, Grand Blanc in the quarter-final and River Rouge in the semi-final. It would be a well-deserved title for St. Mary’s. Final Score: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 67, Muskegon 59

***

Brendan Savage

Muskegon vs. Ypsilanti Lincoln

Winner: Ypsilanti lincoln

Muskegon and sensational Cameron Martinez, MLive Soccer Player of the Year award winner in the past two seasons, have been denied a state football championship after reaching the Division 3 final for the second consecutive year. Will things be different in basketball? Nope. Lincoln is not only the defending champion, he may also have the best player in the country, a sophomore named Bates. As usual, he will make the difference.

***

Lee Thompson

Muskegon vs. Ypsilanti Lincoln

Winner: Ypsilanti lincoln

It looks like Emoni Bates is on a mission this season. Good luck with the sophomore sensation and Lincoln’s quest to defend his state title. The road is not easy. The only state-ranked team left in the other half of the state tournament is Muskegon # 9.

***

Josh VanDyke

Detroit U-D Jesuit vs Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Winner: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

The Eaglets have already beaten the Cubs twice this season and a third confrontation to crown the trilogy would be a montage that would end the season. Lorchard Bowman of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s scored 28 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, to help the Eaglets beat the Cubs the last time the two teams met, and I think the Basketball finalist would have presented a show at the Breslin Center.

***

Greg Wickliffe

Muskegon c. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Winner: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s has been as consistent as any Division 1 team all season. Muskegon is certainly a worthy opponent, but St. Mary’s has just enough firepower led by Lorne Bowman to claim the victory.

SECTION 2

(Warning: Spoilers.) It’s a sweep for Benton Harbor to capture the Division 2 State Championship again, at least according to the nine MLive “experts” weighing here. Talk about removing the drama from this thing. Goodrich also received a ton of love for finding his way to Breslin and fighting Benton Harbor in the finals.

Hugh bernreuter

Benton Harbor vs. Goodrich

Winner: Port of Benton

Goodrich would have won a state title if it weren’t for Scooby and those pesky kids. Benton Harbor faces a treacherous journey to the state final, but Scooby Johnson ends a memorable basketball season with victories over Otsego, Grand Rapids Christian and Williamston before overthrowing a solid Goodrich team that relies on a pair of junior stars, Tyson Davis and Aidan Rubin. Goodrich falls, but the Martians become the first favorites at the start of the 2020-21 season.

***

Scott DeCamp

Benton Harbor vs. Ferndale

Winner: Port of Benton

It would have been difficult to refuse Benton Harbor and Mr. Basketball’s winner Carlos “Scooby” Johnson in their quest for a second state title in three years. When the Tigers are called, they have as much potential as anyone in the state, regardless of division. Ferndale was an interesting team to follow. Don’t be fooled by the Eagles’ nine losses – each one came against top-notch competition, including one point losses against Muskegon and North Farmington.

***

Steve Kaminski

Winner: Port of Benton

It’s hard to choose against Benton Harbor and Mr. Basketball Scooby Johnson. The Tigers have had impressive victories throughout the season, beating people like Ypsilanti Lincoln, Wyoming and Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Benton Harbor will win its second title in three years.

***

Patrick Nothaft

Benton Harbor vs. Goodrich

Winner: Port of Benton

The top half of the Division 2 slice was completely filled with state-classified teams, including Benton Harbor (# 1), Grand Rapids Catholic Central (3), Grand Rapids Christian (5), Williamson (5) and Otsego (8), therefore, whatever team emerged, they would have finished a glove race until the state championship match. With victories over Ypsilanti Lincoln, Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Wyoming, Benton Harbor had the appearance of a team ready to hoist its second state title in three years.

***

Jared Purcell

Benton Harbor vs. Goodrich

Winner: Port of Benton

It’s hard to bet against Benton Harbor and its basketball winner, Scooby Johnson. There may not be a better team tested in combat in Division 2. The Tigers defeated Otsego in the regional final, Grand Rapids Christian in the quarter-final and Detroit Douglass in the semi-final. Final score: Benton Harbor 69, Goodrich 60

***

Brendan Savage

Benton Harbor vs. Goodrich

Winner: Port of Benton

OK, call me a circuit for choosing Goodrich to reach the final. (Go ahead, I’ll wait …) But don’t underestimate the Martians. It may be the best team you’ve ever heard of. They were 21-2 when the game was suspended with only loss to Division 1 Carman-Ainsworth and they are led by two sensational juniors, Tyson Davis and Aidan Rubio. That said, this is the year of Benton Harbor. “Scooby” Johnson won the M. Basketball award and would have led the Tiger to a state title, ending a dream season.

***

Lee Thompson

Benton Harbor vs. Croswell-Lexington

Winner: Port of Benton

It is the story of two cities in the final. Benton Harbor is an industrial town in southwest Michigan with a rich tradition of basketball. Croswell-Lexington is a rural thumb region community with a program that has never reached the quarter-finals. It’s a fantastic final story, with Scooby Johnson and his No. 1 Tigers.

***

Josh VanDyke

Benton Harbor vs. Goodrich

Winner: Port of Benton

The Tigers have a lot of skill, depth and experience to rehearse as Division 2 state champions and the ever-evolving game of Carlos “Scooby” Johnson is a big reason why. The 2020 M. Basketball award winner makes Benton Harbor a tough team to defend, and I think they would have successfully defended their title in 2020.

***

Greg Wickliffe

Benton Harbor vs. Bridgeport

Winner: Port of Benton

Benton Harbor got through the fire and even seemed superior to some of the best Division 1 teams in the state. With Basketball Scooby Johnson in mind, the Tigers bring back their second title in three years.

SECTION 3

It wasn’t unanimous like Benton Harbor in Division 2, but the MLive “experts” really like Flint Beecher and why not them? The Bucs may well be the best team in the state, regardless of the division. Some MLive reporters are fighting a rematch between Iron Mountain and Pewamo-Westphalia. After the end of last year, why wouldn’t they do it?

Hugh bernreuter

Flint Beecher vs. Hanover-Horton

Winner: Flint Beecher

The league game is likely in the semifinals when Jalen Terry and Earnest Sanders lead Beecher to an overtime win over an Iron Mountain team who suffers their second grief in a row at the Breslin Center despite the incredible efforts of Foster Wonders and Marcus Johnson. Hanover-Horton fights against Pewamo-Westphalia in the semi-finals, but Luc Laketa and the Comets cannot compete with Beecher’s experience and athleticism in the final.

***

Scott DeCamp

Flint Beecher vs. Schoolcraft

Winner: Flint Beecher

I have to be honest: I would have loved a return match in the final between Iron Mountain and Pewamo-Westphalia, just to see what Foster Wonders and Marcus Johnson could have done in their takeout shot after last year’s harrowing end. Schoolcraft had one of those special teams again, but Beecher has the one-two punch from Jalen Terry and Earnest Sanders as well as a solid supporting cast.

***

Steve Kaminski

Winner: Flint Beecher

Flint Beecher has been ranked # 1 all season, and the only thing that can stop them now is if the season doesn’t resume. Basketball finalist Jalen Terry brings Beecher to the top.

***

Patrick Nothaft

Flint Beecher vs. Schoolcraft

Winner: Flint Beecher

With four of his beginners at least 6 feet 4 inches tall, few Division 3 teams could match the size of Schoolcraft, but Flint Beecher had the athleticism to negate the size advantage of the Eagles, plus the runner-up. Mr. Basketball, Jalen Terry, to run the break. Beecher’s victories this year included Benton Harbor, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Flint Carman-Ainsworth, so the Bucs were fully capable of bringing home their sixth state title in nine years.

***

Jared Purcell

Flint Beecher against Pewamo-Westphalia

Winner: Flint Beecher

Beecher has so many weapons and has beaten some of the best division teams above them. Jalen Terry is such a special player and he is surrounded by great players from Earnest Sanders and Keyon Menifield. There is just too much firepower to beat this team. Beecher dominates Hemlock in the regional final, Detroit Edison in the quarter-final and Iron Mountain in the semi-final. It is a sacred gauntlet but it is a Beecher which is designed to be handled. Final score: Flint Beecher 75, Pewamo-Westphalia 62

***

Brendan Savage

Flint Beecher against Pewamo-Westphalia

Winner: Flint Beecher

Pewamo-Westphalia is the defending champion and has one of the best complete sports programs in Division 3. But it was supposed to be Beecher’s year. The Bucs presented two dynamic seniors, Oregon rookie Jalen Terry and future Kentucky wide receiver Sandest Sanders, who have a solid supporting cast. Terry and Sanders know what it takes to win a state title after playing for Beecher’s championship team in 2017, and Beecher has also beat Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Benton Harbor this season.

***

Lee Thompson

Iron Mountain vs. Pewamo-Westphalia

Winner: Iron mountain

If there is anything right in this world of sport, there will be a revenge from last year’s very controversial state title game. And no matter who wins, it would be nice to give the two teams a second chance. To say it again, let’s say that Iron Mountains won this one and brought back its first state title since 1928 to the U.P.

***

Josh VanDyke

Flint Beecher vs. Hanover-Horton

Winner: Flint Beecher

The Bucs could be one of the deepest teams in the state, particularly in the backcourt. Mr. Basketball finalist Jalen Terry has been sensational all season and if he has fully recovered from an ankle injury that tormented him during parts of the season I think Beecher will be tough tear down. Hanover-Horton has a balanced attack to give the Bucs problems, but a playmaker like Terry is difficult to control for four quarters.

***

Greg Wickliffe

Flint Beecher vs. Hanover-Horton

Winner: Flint Beecher

Beecher has been one of the most consistent teams in the state regardless of division and is more than tested in battle. With the tandem of Jalen Terry and Earnest Sanders in mind, the Bucs would have had just enough to give them their sixth state title in the past eight years.

SECTION 4

Southfield Christian would be the heaviest of state title favorites at the Breslin Center, regardless of division, and MLive “experts” expressed it with their choices. All nine firmly believe in the Eagles and for good reason: they have sailed to the State Championships in each of the past two seasons and would aim for their sixth title in nine years. Southfield Christian is great for any Division 4 team to manage.

Hugh bernreuter

Southfield Christian vs. Dollar Bay

Winner: Southfield Christian

Yawning. Southfield Christian mounts Da’Jion Humphrey to a third consecutive state title, beating Dollar Bay again in Breslin. After falling the last two semifinal seasons against Southfield Christian, Dollar Bay falls into the other category, but it’s still not an easy journey, having to work overtime to beat Hillsdale Academy. Southfield Christian withdraws in the second half of his semi-final against a surprise opponent, Saginaw Nouvel, who uses the experience of a difficult regular season calendar to upset Hale, Kingston and Gaylord St. Mary to reach the semi-final . In the final, Ashton Janke and Davin Hill keep Dollar Bay almost half, but the duo of Humphrey and Noah Rheker is still too much for Dollar Bay.

***

Scott DeCamp

Southfield Christian vs. Wyoming Tri-Unit Christian

Winner: Southfield Christian

Sophomore Brady Titus is a fun player to watch and Tri-Unit has one of the best on the bench for coach Mark Keeler, but Southfield Christian is on another level compared to many teams in the state, not just in Division 4. Former Southfield Christian Coach Josh Baker got a huge promotion as an assistant at the University of Alabama, but the Eagles never missed a beat under the leadership of Clennie Brundidge.

***

Steve Kaminski

Winner: Southfield Christian

Southfield Christian’s only loss in its last 10 games has been one point on River River, number 1 in Division 1. I say the Eagles are ready for another deep run in the playoffs. It’s Southfield with three-peat.

***

Patrick Nothaft

Southfield Christian vs. Dollar Bay

Winner: Dollar bay

The D4 title match would be a revenge from last year’s state semifinals, but Dollar Bay would have a hard time taking revenge on a juggernaut Southfield Christian team looking for its third title. State consecutive and featuring senior seniors Da’Jion Humphrey, Noah Rheker and Rahmon Scruggs.

***

Jared Purcell

Southfield Christian vs. Dollar Bay

Winner: Southfield Christian

Da’Jion Humphrey and Noah Rheker could be the best duo in all of Division 4 and the top scoring top guards would have ripped the competition en route to a third straight state title. Christian defeated the Taylor Trillium Academy in the region’s final, Marine Cardinal Mooney in the quarter-final and Kingston in the semi-final. Final score: Southfield Christian 81, Dollar Bay 66

***

Brendan Savage

Southfield Christian vs. Dollar Bay

Winner: Southfield Christian

Dollar Bay reaching the final is just a hunch after the Blue Bolts are 19-2, though losing two of their last three regular season games should be a concern. But Southfield Christian is the defending champion, not your average Division 4 team. The Eagles were 17-4, but they played against teams like Birmingham Brother Rice, Detroit Edison, Detroit Catholic Central and Detroit Country Day. Other questions?

***

Lee Thompson

Southfield Christian vs Hillsdale Academy

Winner: Southfield Christian

With five state titles in eight years, it’s hard to see Southfield Christian in the D4 realm. The Eagles appear to be accelerated for another round, scoring 80 points or more four times in their last six games – reaching 100 in the district semifinals. Let’s put a defensive team on them. Hillsdale Academy has limited 14 opponents to less than 40 points this year. He only allowed 30 points in two combined district games. It sounds like a showdown.

***

Josh VanDyke

Southfield Christian vs. Wyoming Three Unit Christian

Winner: Southfield Christian

Southfield Christian ended his regular season with a one-point loss to Division 1 enemy River Rogue. The Eagles have given rhythm all season with an extremely difficult schedule for a Division 4 school. I think that Da’Jion Humphrey, Verion Patrick and the company would take care of the business in the field of Division 4 and bring back another state title.

***

Greg Wickliffe

Southfield Christian vs. Dollar Bay

Winner: Southfield Christian

Southfield Christian entered the state championship last season and there does not appear to be a team in Division 4 this year that could prevent them from making three laps.

***

Read more:

MLive Predictions for National Girls’ Basketball Finals

Introducing the 2019-20 MLive Dream Teams for Boys Basketball

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Says Michigan Schools “Very Unlikely” To Reopen This Year

Can the sport continue if the schools do not reopen this year? MHSAA Comments

Fox Sports Detroit hits 2019 replay button for state basketball finals