Division 2 Final 4 Predictions And Players To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The action tips off tomorrow evening in the Division 2 Final 4 at the Breslin Center. There are elite players and high powered programs filling the final bracket. The 4 teams have a jaw dropping 5 losses between them. They have a combined 100 wins on the season. We're going to give you our prediction for how the Final 4 plays out and a player to watch from each team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>SEMIFINALS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Negaunee vs. Detroit Edison (March 22, 5:30PM)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Negaunee has a nice mix of young talent and skilled veteran leaders. The perfect combination for a storybook season like they've had. Detroit Edison might be the fastest and most athletic team in the state. They have elite ball handlers and playmakers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: Detroit Edison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Rapids West Catholic vs. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (March 22, 7:30PM)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a great matchup in so many ways. Gabriel Richard has an elite collection of guards in with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='419532' first='Charlotte' last='Miller']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613427' first='Ava' last='Rodriguez']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='613426' first='Vanessa' last='Rodriguez']</strong>. At the same time, Grand Rapids West Catholic has a tremendous group of forwards featuring players like <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='417885' first='Emma' last='Tuttle']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='419529' first='Elisha' last='Dykstra']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='865141' first='Alexis' last='Asekomeh']</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Detroit Edison vs. Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This would be a game for the ages. Gabriel Richard is one of the best and most efficient offensive teams in the state and might be the best pure shooting team as well. Detroit Edison can push the pace and make plays in the open floor. I think whoever controls the tempo wins the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prediction: Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='417904' first='Ellie' last='Knapp'] </strong>(Negaunee) - We mentioned Negaunee's veteran leadership above. Enter [player_tooltip player_id='417904' first='Ellie' last='Knapp']. Every state champ needs a leader like this. Knapp is a poised and experienced player with a high basketball IQ. She plays like the daughter of a state champion coach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244269' first='Devin' last='Hagemann']</strong> (Detroit Edison) - Like we said, pace and speed could be key in the semifinals and potentially the state championship game. Hagemann is tremendous with the ball in her hands and can certainly control tempo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='244272' first='Reese' last='Polega']</strong> (Grand Rapids West Catholic) - We talked about the guards of Gabriel Richard and the forwards for West Catholic. But what might really be key is how opponents match up against strengths. Polega is an excellent guard that can more than hold her own against the best. If she has a big weekend, the possibilities are endless.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='423695' first='Cora' last='Williams']</strong> (Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard) - Repeat the first 2 sentences from above with [player_tooltip player_id='244272' first='Reese' last='Polega']. It was a huge block from Williams in the round of 8 that helped secure Gabriel Richard's Final 4 birth. She can stack up with any talented forward with her strength and versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->