PREVIEW: District 14

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monday kicked off the MHSAA playoff tournament and gave us many close district games. Wednesday will feature the semifinal matchups before district finals take place on Friday. Here is a preview of the semifinal matchups in District 14 and a breakdown of impact players who could help their teams cut down nets. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Canton (18-5) vs Salem (14-7)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These Plymouth schools are quite literally border rivals and have both put together excellent seasons in the KLAA West this year. Salem won the KLAA in 2022, but was unable to repeat their dominance in the conference again. Canton finished second in the West with a 9-5 record, while Salem finished 8-6. The teams split their matchups this season and Canton most recently defeated Plymouth handedly on Monday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PREDICTION: I could see this game going either way and it's a very tough choice to pick a winner here. However, my gut tells me that Miss Basketball finalist [player_tooltip player_id='365000' first='Madison' last='Morson'] is going to rise above the rest and lead her team to victory: I'll pick Salem in a close game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Northville (6-17) vs South Lyon East (17-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Northville defeated South Lyon Monday, and has seemed to be hitting their stride here lately. They have lost many games by single digits and are a team that has the upper classmen playmakers to pull off an upset. South Lyon East tied for the best record in the LVC and will have the best player on the court Wednesday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PREDICTION: The Mustangs should be scrappy enough to hang with the Cougars, but I expect [player_tooltip player_id='244270' first='Anna' last='Lassan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='860192' first='Nyla' last='Lake'] to carry their team to victory in a close game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DISTRICT FINALS CHAMPION: Salem Rocks </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["244270"],"_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_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='244270' first='Anna' last='Lassan'] has been a clutch performer throughout her career at South Lyon East and will be relied upon once again to lead her team to a playoff victory. Anna is a lengthy and strong wing who knocks down outside shots, while finishing tough shots around the basket. She will be a difficult defensive assignment.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["244744"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='244744' first='Nikki' last='Grech'] is an all-conference wing for Northville who leads the way scoring and rebounding for the Mustangs. She has footwork to face up, put her foot down, and drive downhill to the rim. Nikki will knock down shots outside and pursues offensive rebounds for put backs in the paint. If she can have a big offensive and defensive day for Northville they could upset the favored Cougars on Wednesday.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["612092"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='612092' first='Justice' last='Tramble'] is an all-conference forward for Canton who has the size and inside strength to take over games inside. She put up 10 points in their first district matchup and will have to be controlled in the paint if Salem hopes to win.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["365000"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='365000' first='Madison' last='Morson'] is a finalist for Miss Basketball and led her Rocks team to a semifinal appearance at the Breslin last season. Her game breaking speed, vertical leap, scoring efficiency at all levels, and defensive quickness give Salem an advantage at the guard position against nearly every opponent they play.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e7641274f6c"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">At the Buzzer</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Evan Bell</strong>&nbsp;is currently a scout for Prep Girls Hoops, Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach at Lapeer High School, and Director of<strong><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/program/lapeer-county-cobras/"><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='715992' first='Lapeer' last='County Cobras']</strong></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong>. Our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.prepnetwork.com/frequently-asked-questions/">mission</a>&nbsp;at PGH is to cover as many athletes with D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO potential in the state as possible. If you know a prospect off our radar, please DM Evan through Twitter @CoachEvanBell or email him at lapeercountycobras@gmail.com</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->