Division 2 Regional Predictions
Division 2 has some interesting regional pairings. There’s some brackets that look more like a state finals foursome, while others feature teams looking to make a big Cinderella run to the quarterfinals. Altogether, it should provide plenty of interesting outcomes…
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Continue ReadingDivision 2 has some interesting regional pairings.
There’s some brackets that look more like a state finals foursome, while others feature teams looking to make a big Cinderella run to the quarterfinals.
Altogether, it should provide plenty of interesting outcomes throughout this week.
Regional 9 at Houghton Lake
Semifinals: Kingsford vs. Cheboygan; No. 15 Cadillac vs. Bullock Creek
Breakdown: The Vikings have been a strong Division 2 contender in recent years and definitely look like the team to beat in this regional. Cadillac has strong offensive pieces and a very tough block to get through. Kingsford fought through a pair of tough district games to win the hardware last week, while Cheboygan fought through five sets to best Boyne City in the district final. That semifinal should be another close call, as both teams will show resiliency. However, the winner will have a tough time finding their way past a fully loaded Cadillac squad.
Championship Prediction: Cadillac over Kingsford
Regional 10 at Comstock Park
Semifinals: Fremont vs. No. 25 Fruitport; No. 13 Grand Rapids West Catholic vs. Ionia
Breakdown: Ionia had a great week at home, including a sweep of Portland, to earn a district title. Now the Bulldogs draw West Catholic, a team that showed a lot of heart in a four-set district final win over Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Both Fruitport and Fremont have suffered losses to West Catholic, but the Trojans have actually taken some sets in the loss and play in a very challenging OK Conference. Playing against some of Division 1’s best have it ready to contend with the best in Division 2.
Championship Prediction: West Catholic over Fruitport
Regional 11 at Hudsonville Unity Christian
Semifinals: No. 11 Holland Christian vs. No. 2 GR South Christian; Plainwell vs. Buchanan
Breakdown: South Christian made a big statement by topping No. 7 Grand Rapids Christian in the district final, ending a four-year run for GRC of making it to Battle Creek. Holland Christian poses a challenge on Tuesday. The Maroons have taken a set from the Sailors this year, but South Christian seems really locked in and ready to make a run at a state championship. Plainwell and Buchanan both came away with some hard-fought district victories last week, but it’s hard to see either getting past South Christian right now. The Sailors have a lot of imposing power at the net.
Championship Prediction: South Christian over Buchanan
Regional 12 at Williamston
Semifinals: No. 5 Lakewood vs. No. 6 Marshall; No. 14 Lansing Catholic vs. Tecumseh
Breakdown: Lakewood also has a long string of Battle Creek appearances, sitting at six consecutive trips. Credit to the Vikings for again being right in the mix after losing such dominant hitters in the O’Gorman sisters over the last two seasons. This Lakewood team is balanced and technically sound. It will face a Marshall team that is led by an outstanding defense. The question will be can it consistently finish points and not let Lakewood get multiple swings at them. Lansing Catholic is a 40-win team coming into regionals and won’t be lacking in confidence. It has the overall ability to get past Tecumseh, but Tecumseh has played some bigger D1 programs tough throughout the year. All four teams have their strengths in this regional, but Lakewood’s pedigree of success if why I still side with the Vikings.
Championship Prediction: Lakewood over Lansing Catholic
Regional 13 at Dearborn Divine Child
Semifinals: Riverview vs. Milan; Dearborn Divine Child vs. Dearborn Heights Annapolis
Breakdown: This is a wide-open region with four unranked teams eager for the opportunity to collect a regional championship. Divine Child has learned a lot from its tough CHSL schedule. DC grinded out a big five-set win over AA Gabriel Richard in the district final. Now it gets Annapolis, a team that hasn’t proven it can win consistently against battle-tested teams. Milan has had Riverview’s number during the regular season and I expect more of the same on Tuesday. The Cardinals can definitely put up a fight in the final as well, but the home court is what I think will propel Divine Child to the championship.
Championship Prediction: Divine Child over Milan
Regional 14 at Livonia Clarenceville
Semifinals: Hazel Park vs. Livonia Clarenceville; Detroit University Prep vs. Harper Woods Chandler Park
Breakdown: This is another region where things could get pretty unpredictable. Hazel Park has a conference and district title to rely on this week against other teams that are unproven in 2022. Going on the road to face Clarenceville won’t be easy, but I am going to ride the Vikings throughout the week. Chandler Park and Detroit U Prep don’t have the consistency to take the sets in a final.
Championship Prediction: Hazel Park over Chandler Park
Regional 15 at Imlay City
Semifinals: No. 20 Regina vs. No. 3 Notre Dame Prep; Marysville vs. No. 1 North Branch
Breakdown: Regina and Marysville can’t be overlooked, but Notre Dame Prep and North Branch have been standing in each other’s way postseason after postseason. Last year the meeting came in the D2 final, won by NDP. Prior to that, annual regional meetings were what occurred. I expect the two to cross paths again on Thursday. NDP is peaking right now, as shown by their impressive sweep of No. 4 Country Day in the district final. The Irish are technically sound and a great defensive team. North Branch is very deep and very well-coached. The Broncos were the preseason favorite for a reason, and seem even better than they were to start the year. It’s hard to pick against either team here, but North Branch was the team I expected to win it all when the season started, so I won’t shift my opinion now.
Championship Prediction: North Branch over Notre Dame Prep
Regional 16 at Corunna
Semifinals: Mt. Morris vs. Lake Fenton; No. 10 Frankenmuth vs. Swan Valley
Breakdown: Frankenmuth is having a special season and the bracket shapes up nicely for the Eagles this week. Swan Valley did play Frankenmuth tough earlier in the season, but Frankenmuth has game-changing talent at the net. Mt. Morris has racked up a lot of wins in 2022 and that should help it get past Lake Fenton in the other semifinal. But, when all is said and done this week, it just feels like it’s Frankenmuth’s time to shine.
Championship Prediction: Frankenmuth over Mt. Morris