Division 4 Regional Predictions
In Division 4, many of last year’s shining stars still remain heading into regional play this week. But, the defending state champs face a very tough bracket, while some of the other semifinalists will get a real gut check. Here’s…
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Continue ReadingIn Division 4, many of last year’s shining stars still remain heading into regional play this week.
But, the defending state champs face a very tough bracket, while some of the other semifinalists will get a real gut check.
Here’s a look at the eight D4 regionals and my picks for who will eventually prevail.
Regional 25 at Crystal Falls Forest Park
Semifinals: Ironwood vs. Painesdale Jeffers; Crystal Falls Forest Park vs. Stephenson
Breakdown: Forest Park and Stephenson have already had some razor-thin sets this season and I would expect more of the same in Tuesday’s semifinal. Forest Park being at home gives them the slight edge. Ironwood and Jeffers are in a similar boat. These two have played very similar schedules and have similar results against mutual opponents. I like Ironwood by a slim 2-point margin in the fifth set. In the end, a region this close requires me to stick with the home team.
Championship Prediction: Crystal Falls Forest Park over Ironwood
Regional 26 at Negaunee
Semifinals: Rock Mid Peninsula vs. Rudyard; Mackinaw City vs. No. 6 Inland Lakes
Breakdown: Mackinaw City got to celebrate a great district week, but now has to really swim with the sharks. Inland Lakes is the 2021 D4 runner-up for a reason and it has looked like a Battle Creek team once again this postseason. The Bulldogs have the experience and the point-ending finisher at the net. Rock Mid Peninsula avenged some previous losses to win its district, but Rudyard looks to be a little bit more consistent on paper. I can’t see either winner ending the run of Inland Lakes, but crazier things have happened.
Championship Prediction: Inland Lakes over Rudyard
Regional 27 at Bellaire
Semifinals: Gaylord St. Mary vs. No. 2 Leland; Hillman vs. Atlanta
Breakdown: It’s been a few tough postseasons for the Leland program and the Comets have had a lot of pent up frustration to get out. The perennial D4 power looks like a state title contender once again and doesn’t want to let this opportunity pass. Hillman and Atlanta have been very evenly-matched during multiple meetings this regular season. I give a slight edge to Hillman in those meetings, but it’s really anyone’s match when these two collide.
Championship Prediction: Leland over Hillman
Regional 28 at McBain Northern Michigan Christian
Semifinals: No. 13 McBain NMC vs. Onekama; Muskegon Catholic Central vs. No. 5 Mt. Pleasant Sacred Heart
Breakdown: Northern Michigan Christian gets to host this week’s regional, which should give it a nice added boost in play. NMC was already a contender as is, but being at home makes the Comets even more dangerous. I see Onekama having a hard time overcoming that as a true road team. Sacred Heart spent years trying to get to Battle Creek and finally did so in 2021. It brings a lot of contributors from that team into regional week. Muskegon Catholic Central will be a tough foe, but the Irish have some nice power arms that will make the difference. I think those same power arms will help SHA overcome the road environment in the final.
Championship Prediction: Sacred Heart over McBain NMC
Regional 29 at Mendon
Semifinals: Decatur vs. St. Joseph Our Lady of the Lake; Martin vs. No. 3 Athens
Breakdown: Athens has been holding down one of the top spots in the D4 rankings all season and it has a great chance to advance out of the week with a regional championship. Martin has had some upset wins this season, but I’m not sure the Clippers can take three sets from Athens on Tuesday. The other semifinal should be competitive and it’s likely to come down to the team making fewer unforced errors. I give the edge to Our Lady of the Lake. But, whichever team wins, I still like Athens in the final.
Championship Prediction: Athens over Our Lady of the Lake
Regional 30 at Bellevue
Semifinals: No. 12 Camden-Frontier vs. No. 7 Battle Creek St. Philip; Pittsford vs. No. 1 Adrian Lenawee Christian
Breakdown: A great region that includes three ranked teams, the defending D4 champs, and the top-ranked team throughout the season. St. Philip has its work cut out for it this week if it hopes to continue its title defense. Despite being a relatively new starting lineup coming into 2022, the Fighting Tigers still have winning entrenched in the program. That adds an extra challenge for any opponent. Lenawee Christian can’t get too ahead of itself and look past Pittsford, but the Cougars certainly have the skills to win a state championship. A win on Tuesday will give them a chance to truly prove it to the rest of the state on Thursday.
Championship Prediction: Lenawee Christian over St. Philip
Regional 31 at Auburn Hills Oakland Christian
Semifinals: Clarkston Everest Collegiate vs. No. 10 Lansing Christian; Allen Park Inter-City Baptist vs. Marine City Cardinal Mooney
Breakdown: Everest Collegiate unseated Oakland Christian in five sets to win their district and the Mountaineers are proving to be a tough out. Lansing Christian has taken some losses this season, but played a schedule full of bigger programs. That’s got their hitters ready to power through this week. Inter-City Baptist had a great run in 2021 and is making more noise this year. Cardinal Mooney presents an intriguing matchup. These two seem evenly matched, but I like ICB to move on thanks to last year’s experience of making a postseason run.
Championship Prediction: Lansing Christian over Inter-City Baptist
Regional 32 at Kingston
Semifinals: Saginaw Nouvel vs. Portland St. Patrick; Ubly vs. Kingston
Breakdown: Nouvel and St. Patrick both earned wins over ranked teams during district play to advance to this regional. In this semifinal, I like St. Patrick. The Shamrocks play in a tough CMAC conference that includes some strong D4 and D3 squads. St. Pats has been tested. Ubly and Kingston feels like a real coin toss. The two have had their highs and lows during the season, but results are very comparable. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this one go five sets.
Championship Prediction: Portland St. Patrick over Ubly