Preview: Regional 5
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This is a talented region with some great basketball in store. Mark my words, whoever makes it out of this region is more than talented enough to make it out of the quarterfinals and to the Breslin Center on March…
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Continue ReadingThis is a talented region with some great basketball in store. Mark my words, whoever makes it out of this region is more than talented enough to make it out of the quarterfinals and to the Breslin Center on March 17.
THE TEAMS
Dexter
Novi
Salem
Saline
PREDICTIONS
Semifinal – Dexter vs. Novi (3/7, 5:30PM, @ Saline)
Prediction: Dexter
If you read my work regularly, you know that I’ve been very high on this Dexter team since the beginning of the season. They move on to the regional final, but it won’t be easy as Novi is very talented and has some tough matchups.
Semifinal – Salem vs. Saline (3/7, 7PM, @ Saline)
Prediction:
Wow, this one was tough. Anybody have a coin to flip? Salem is 16-1 in their last 17 and have star power and toughness on their roster. Saline has got it done in crunch time all season, so I’ll go with the Hornets.
Championship – Dexter vs. Saline (3/9, 7PM, @ Saline)
Prediction: Saline
I should’ve picked a different region to preview because this is tough. Saline is 2-0 against the Dreadnaughts this year, but I watched them the first time they met and it was an instant classic and a slugfest. I think that we’ll see another great in Round 3.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Blumberg has been terrific all season for Dexter. She’s easily one of the most exciting young players in the Ann Arbor area. Blumberg can attack off the bounce and is very comfortable working the baseline. She can finish in a variety of ways with ball control and touch. I really like her all around game and perimeter versatility.
Popyk is that physical mismatch that Novi can attack against Dexter in the semifinals. Her combination of positional height, length and ball skills can be a big issue for many teams to matchup with. I’ve always been very high on Popyk’s game as well as her potential and believe she’s capable of a big time game in this spot.
Highlights
Morson might have been the fastest rising prospect in the state over the spring and summer, and for good reason. She’s a bona fide playmaker that can create looks at the rim and seems to have that extra little hang time that baffles defenders. Morson might be one of the most dangerous players in the state when it comes to utilizing the mid range game.
Anna Hesse
Anna Hesse
There’s a lot of different ways that I could have gone with the Hornets, but I went with Hesse. I’ve seen the way she can effect a game, especially on the defensive end. Her D could be huge facing stars like Morson and Bakkar just to start. Hesse moves well in the paint and slides across the lane with ease to stop ball or help.