2019 MHSAA Postseason: Division 2 regional predictions
The Division 2 regional pool may feature the strongest of any of the four divisions. Eight of the top 10 teams still remain and there are plenty of other teams that look like they could play spoiler this week. Here’s…
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Continue ReadingThe Division 2 regional pool may feature the strongest of any of the four divisions.
Eight of the top 10 teams still remain and there are plenty of other teams that look like they could play spoiler this week.
Here’s a closer look at the eight regionals this week and who I like to emerge with the title in each one.
Regional 9 at Gaylord
Semifinal matchups: Escanaba vs. Kingsley; Cadillac vs. Clare
Prediction: Escanaba and Clare put together nice district runs last week, but I feel Kingsley and Cadillac are going to meet up in Thursday’s regional final. The Stags have had a great year, but the Vikings won the one meeting earlier in the year. Cadillac is a dark horse to win it all in Division 2 behind the powerful arm of Macy Brown.
Regional 10 at Owosso
Semifinal matchups: Birch Run vs. Mt. Morris; Freeland vs. Ionia
Prediction: All four teams in this region look like they could emerge this week. It just depends on which team will avoid the critical errors. Ionia is the mystery team in this pairing, as the other three have met up with each other. Despite that, I still like Birch Run to win the title this week. The Panthers have beaten Freeland and Mt. Morris and have really tested themselves this year.
Regional 11 at Grand Rapids South Christian
Semifinal matchups: Grand Rapids Catholic Central vs. Grand Rapids Christian; Coopersville vs. Montague
Prediction: There has been nothing on the mind of second-ranked Coopersville but beating Grand Rapids Christian in this regional. The Broncos believe this is their year, and they may be right. Grand Rapids Christian has held on to the top spot in our D2 rankings all year after their dominant postseason run in 2018. Montague could play spoiler, as the 15th-ranked Wildcats split with Coopersville earlier this year. Still, I look for Coopersville to edge Montague and GRC to best GRCC. In the end, I can’t pick against Grand Rapids Christian this week. The Eagles only have lost top top-5 Division 1 programs this year and they have more hitting options than anyone in D2.
Regional 12 at Otsego
Semifinal matchups: Edwardsburg vs. Vicksburg; Paw Paw vs. Hamilton
Prediction: Hamilton has been overlooked as a D2 title contender. The Hawkeyes are No. 3 in our final D2 poll and have the players to get the job done this year. Edwardsburg and Vicksburg played a five-set battler earlier in the year and I see the Eddies edging Vicksburg again this time around. Edwardsburg was also ale to play Hamilton tough earlier in the season and will do it again on Thursday, but Hamilton is my pick to win the regional.
Regional 13 at Onsted
Semifinal matchups: Haslett vs. Parma Western; Marshall vs. Lakewood
Prediction: This region is really solid, with three teams in the top 12 of our final Division 2 rankings and Haslett trying to play spoiler. The Vikings had a good run last week, but Parma Western will be too tough for them. The Redhawks of Marshall are worthy of being a regional champion, but they are running into Lakewood. The Vikings are a regular at Battle Creek and they played a loaded schedule this year to have them ready for this time of year. I like Lakewood to get past Marshall and Parma Western to collect the hardware.
Regional 14 at Carleton Airport
Semifinal matchups: Dearborn Divine Child vs. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard; Flat Rock vs. Ida
Prediction: Divine Child and Gabriel Richard split their two meetings during the regular season, but I like Gabriel Richard to take the rubber match. Flat Rock and Ida should be playing for the regional title on paper. Both have had great seasons, but the veteran leadership of the Bluestreaks gives them the edge in my eyes. Ida seemed a year away in 2018 and it looks to be coming true this year.
Regional 15 at St. Clair Shores South Lake
Semifinal matchups: Detroit Cesar Chavez vs. Harper Woods Chandler Park; Warren Regina vs. Ferndale
Prediction: This regional seems to set up well for Warren Regina to get to the quarterfinals. The Saddlelites have been playing well over the last month and looked postseason ready last week in their district. I see Regina being able to best Ferndale and then top Chandler Park in the regional final.
Regional 16 at Ortonville Brandon
Semifinal matchups: Armada vs. North Branch; Marysville vs. Notre Dame Prep
Prediction: North Branch and Notre Dame Prep seem set to collide once again in a regional. The Broncos have multiple wins over Armada this season while the Irish have beaten Marysville. North Branch is well-coached and will give Notre Dame Prep a tough match, but the Irish have improved a great deal over the year with a young team. This team has really put the pieces together in the last month and is getting contributions from every position. I will go with Notre Dame Prep in a battle of two of the best coaches in all of the state.