D2 Quarterfinal Predictions

The quarterfinals of the state playoffs are here! It’s that time ---- The winner’s to the Breslin Center! The games will take place on April 5th. Here are your matchups, key players, and my predictions. <h2>Division 2</h2> <h3>Detroit Country Day vs. Imlay City</h3> LOCATION @ Ortonville Brandon KEY PLAYERS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="244297" first="Jaidyn" last="Elam"] (2024, CG, Detroit Country Day)</strong> Elam has proved to be one of the top high impact freshman in the state. Detroit Country Day will need her contributions to continue their run. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="227590" first="Mary" last="Lengemann"] (2022, SF, Imlay City)</strong> Lengemann has had a solid season and terrific playoff run. Her offense and leadership will make Imlay City a tough out. PREDICTION Detroit Country Day has some elite young talent that carries them into the next round. Detroit Country Day <h3>Newaygo vs. Wayland</h3> LOCATION @ Vicksburg KEY PLAYERS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138369" first="Jaylee" last="Long"] (2021, PG, Newaygo) and [player_tooltip player_id="179093" first="Jaxi" last="Long"] (2022, SG, Newaygo)</strong> I decided to go with 2 sisters because, together, they can lead Newaygo to the Breslin Center. They are both dynamic players that can make things happen with the ball in their hands. If the sisters get looks at the rim, they can advance. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="175809" first="Stephanie" last="Ainsworth"] (2021, C, Wayland)</strong> Ainsworth is one of the best pure post players left in the draw. She will be tough to contain in any matchup the rest of the year and could be a double-double threat in every remaining game. PREDICTION I like the outside-in combination of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="175819" first="Parrish" last="Hudson"] </strong>(2021, CG, Wayland) and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="175809" first="Stephanie" last="Ainsworth"]</strong>. They’re both playing excellent basketball at the right time. Wayland <h3>Escanaba vs. Portland</h3> LOCATION @ Houghton Lake KEY PLAYERS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138323" first="Nicole" last="Kamin"] (2021, PF, Escanaba)</strong> Kamin is so tough in the paint. She can control the glass on both ends and can D up with the best of them. To get a win against Escanaba, you have to go through Kamin. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="253597" first="Ashley" last="Bower"] (2022, SG, Portland)</strong> Bower continues to show that she can be a primary scorer on a state title contending team. She’s playing excellent basketball right now. PREDICTION I picked against Portland before, and I learned my lesson. They’re just playing so well right now as a team. Portland <h3>Parma Western vs. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard</h3> LOCATION @ Chelsea KEY PLAYERS <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="147768" first="Hillary" last="Griffin"] (2022, SF, Parma Western)</strong> Griffin is a real threat off the wing and a top 40-60 prospect in the class of 2022. She will have a huge influence on the outcome of this game. <strong>MaryKate McAuliffe (2022, SF, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard)</strong> McAuliffe may not be the star of this team, but her importance to it’s success is tremendous. She’s replacing a very talented <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138391" first="Rileigh" last="Garbarz"] </strong>who is out with an injury. McAuliffe is doing a more than admirable job and looks to continue her run of solid play. PREDICTION I hate picking against Coach Cain, who I think is one of the top coaches around. But Parma Western has a trio of talented perimeter players that’s tough to contain. Parma Western