2019 MHSAA Postseason: Division 4 regional predictions
It’s regional time. This week will take teams from a good season to a great one. There isn’t a regional in Division 4 that shouldn’t provide some great drama this week. Here’s my picks for the eight teams that will…
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Continue ReadingIt’s regional time.
This week will take teams from a good season to a great one.
There isn’t a regional in Division 4 that shouldn’t provide some great drama this week.
Here’s my picks for the eight teams that will advance to the final week of the season.
Regional 25 at Ishpeming Westwood
Semifinal matchups: Carney-Nadeau vs. Rock Mid Peninsula; Painesdale Jeffers vs. Wakefield-Marenisco
Prediction: The regional semifinal between Carney-Nadeau and Rock Mid Peninsula feels like the big matchup for the week. The Wolves have had the edge in that matchup during the season and have last year’s playoff run to rely on as well. I will go with Carney-Nadeau to best Wakefield-Marenisco in the regional final.
Regional 26 at Cheboygan
Semifinal matchups: Pellston vs. Onaway; Pickford vs. Rudyard
Prediction: These four made up last year’s regional as well, but had different semifinal matchups. Onaway defeated Rudyard in five sets in last year’s final. I think the Bulldogs find a way to finish the job this year. Rudyard has been a top-10 team in our Division 4 rankings for a good portion of the season and look like a Battle Creek-contender.
Regional 27 at Bear Lake
Semifinal matchups: Traverse City Christian vs. Hale; Leland vs. Bellaire
Prediction: This should be a solid region. I see Leland and Traverse City Christian picking up wins in the semifinals to collide in Thursday’s final. There’s a part of me that wants to go with the Sabres here. They have really been playing well in recent weeks. However, Leland has that championship pedigree that is hard to overcome this time of year. The Comets aren’t going to go away quietly in this postseason.
Regional 28 at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart
Semifinal matchups: Merrill vs. Saginaw Nouvel; Fowler vs. Pentwater
Prediction: Merrill was just a few points shy of a regional championship last year and the Vandals have been on a mission all of 2019. Now they find themselves back in position where they were a year ago. Nouvel, Fowler and Pentwater can’t be taken lightly, but Merrill looks to have the firepower to outmatch these teams this week.
Regional 29 at Martin
Semifinal matchups: Mendon vs. New Buffalo; Battle Creek St. Philip vs. Muskegon Catholic Central
Prediction: This is a really strong region with three teams in our final D4 rankings, including two of the top three. I see another Mendon vs. St. Philip regional final. The Hornets won it all last year and still have one of the best in D4 on their roster, Anna Smith. It should be a classic, but I have to go with Mendon to win the regional.
Regional 30 at Adrian Lenawee Christian
Semifinal matchups: Adrian Lenawee Christian vs. Lansing Christian; Camden-Frontier vs. Colon
Prediction: This region has three of our top 15 teams in our final D4 rankings. Lenawee Christian and Camden-Frontier played a five-set thriller for the regional title a year ago with the Cougars getting the nod. I expect a rematch, but I will go with Camden-Frontier this time around. The Redskins look like a stronger team this year and had to be motivated by last year’s loss. Lansing Christian could be a threat in the region behind Ashley Nordmann, but Frontier is my pick.
Regional 31 at Plymouth Christian
Semifinal matchups: Bloomfield Hills Roeper vs. Marine City Cardinal Mooney; Allen Park Inter-City Baptist vs. Southfield Christian
Prediction: Southfield Christian got past Plymouth Christian in the district final and that was a big obstacle in the Eagles path back to Battle Creek. The Eagles have two strong outsides that haven’t met their match in Division 4 this year and I don’t see them being contained this week. I like Southfield Christian to win the regional, besting Cardinal Mooney in the final.
Regional 32 at Genesee
Semifinal matchups: Dryden vs. Ubly; Genesee Christian vs. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
Prediction: Waterford Our Lady has hit a hot streak that includes a sweep of top-10 Oakland Christian last week in districts. The Lakers are a program that has had postseason success and that can take them far this week. I see the Lakers matching up with Ubly in the regional final, but I give the advantage to the Bearcats. They’ve played a challenging schedule and have found ways to win tough sets. That will come in handy this week.