District 31 PREVIEW

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>District Playoff basketball kicks off Monday, March 4th as some teams limp into the postseason, while others expect to make a deep playoff push. Here is a sneak peak of District 30, hosted by Fenton High School. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brighton (10-12) v. Linden (14-7)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brighton comes into the playoffs as one of the most dangerous teams in the KLAA West. They most recently took down an exceptional Macomb Dakota team and competed within ten of Wayne Memorial. With wins against Howell and Hartland this season, the Bulldogs have proven they can play spoiler. The Linden Eagles finished second in the Flint Metro Stripes division and have proven to be a very competitive unit defensively with the ability to force turnovers and take away what opponent's do best. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PREDICTION: Brighton wins a close, low-scoring game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Swartz Creek (10-12) v. Fenton (2-20)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swartz Creek finished third in the Flint Metro League Stripes division, while Fenton tied Holly and Kearsley for last in the league. In two previous matchups, the Dragons have defeated Fenton fairly easily by double digits in both contests. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='853048' first='Jaelyn' last='Ayala'] has the offensive ability to score big and I expect her to lead her team to victory today. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PREDICTION: Swartz Creek wins</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Semifinal/Finals Prediction</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Semifinals: Brighton and Hartland have played twice this season and the Bulldogs have won both contests. The Bulldogs have the interior defense/rebounding to match up with Hartland and their upperclassmen guards have been able to win those matchups up to this point. Howell competed against Belleville and led the game at one point; they've demonstrated an ability to win against talented teams on their way to winning the KLAA West. The Highlanders will play in the district final and I believe they will represent District 31 in the regional round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PREDICTION: Brighton defeats Hartland and Howell beats Swartz Creek. Howell wins with a complete performance against Brighton in the district finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">IMPACT PROSPECTS</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["417931"],"_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='417931' first='Olivia' last='Mawhinney'] is an all around impact performer for the Linden Eagles. She is a threat with her length to force deflections/turnovers and has the confidence to hit clutch shots from outside for her team. Olivia will need to have a big night on both ends to help her team pull off the upset victory.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["521050"],"_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='521050' first='Sophia' last='Moir'] is a scrappy wing for Brighton who contributes with her motor defensively and on the boards. She is a strong finisher in the paint and has the range to score outside. Sophia is going to be a huge factor for the Bulldogs if they make a run.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["424155"],"_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='424155' first='Alison' last='Farr'] is an all around impact player for the Highlanders. She will be instrumental in the team's success this postseason because there will be times when the team needs her to hit outside shots and provide a spark offensively. Her defensive energy, ball handling skills, and ability to score tough buckets at the rim will be important for the team to make a deep run.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["364161"],"_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='364161' first='Aubree' last='Meyer'] is a strong forward who has the size, strength, and inside moves to take over a game in the paint. She is a relentless rebounder who constantly works to make herself an option in the paint. If the Eagles are going to make a run in the district they are going to need Aubree to dominate for them in the paint.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["853048"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='853048' first='Jaelyn' last='Ayala'] is an electric scoring guard for Swartz Creek who has game breaking ability. She is an ultra competitor who finishes around the rim using scoops and eurosteps to convert difficult shots. Jaelyn will catch fire from the perimeter and knock down 3's and she will lead her team rebounding.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65e6125e52012"} /--> <!-- 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>[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;</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 -->