2020 MHSAA Postseason: Division 2 District Predictions
Division 2 has seen some powerhouse programs lead the way to Battle Creek in recent years. Next week, 32 Division 2 teams will get a step closer to Battle Creek and a state championship. Here’s a look at each district…
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Continue ReadingDivision 2 has seen some powerhouse programs lead the way to Battle Creek in recent years.
Next week, 32 Division 2 teams will get a step closer to Battle Creek and a state championship.
Here’s a look at each district and the teams I think will come away as champions.
Related: Division 1 District Predictions
Related: Division 3 District Predictions
Related: Division 4 District Predictions
District 33 at Escanaba
Teams: Escanaba, Kingsford, Houghton, Gladstone
Prediction: The mascots in this district are pretty impressive. You have Eskymos, Flivvers, Braves and Gremlins. I’ve always been told never to bet against a Flivver. So, I like Kingsford.
District 34 at Grayling
Teams: Cheboygan, Kalkaska, Boyne City, Grayling, Sault Ste Marie, Kingsley
Prediction: Grayling gets to host this competitive district and I think that will help them get to the title. The Vikings own some important wins against teams in their field.
District 35 at Cadillac
Teams: Ludington, Manistee, Big Rapids, Reed City, Benzie Central, Cadillac
Prediction: The host Vikings could be the real deal. Cadillac has played a lot of competitive matches and has built itself up for a big postseason run. It starts next week.
District 36 at Standish-Sterling
Teams: Gladwin, Remus Chippewa Hills, Standish-Sterling, Clare, Ogemaw Heights
Prediction: I think the district semifinal between the host and Clare may decide the eventual tournament winner. Should be a great game, but Standish-Sterling has the home-court edge.
District 37 at Belding
Teams: Belding, Central Montcalm, Ionia, Ovid-Elsie, Shepherd, Alma
Prediction: This district can go a number of ways. A lot of competitive teams that have some familiarity with each other. I like Ionia though. The Bulldogs have some tough wins and should be confident about the matchups.
District 38 at Essexville Garber
Teams: Freeland, Essexville Garber, Carrollton, Bullock Creek, Bay City John Glenn
Prediction: There could be some surprises in this district, but Freeland is the team I feel best about. The Falcons have maintained a strong level of competitive play throughout the season.
District 39 at Swan Valley
Teams: Bridgeport, Saginaw Arthur Hills, Chesaning, Saginaw, Swan Valley
Prediction: Siding with the host school, Swan Valley, for this district. The Vikings play in a competitive conference that I think will give them the edge next week.
District 40 at Caro
Teams: Mt. Morris, Frankenmuth, Birch Run, Clio, Caro
Prediction: Building off a solid 2019 season, the Birch Run Panthers have looked even stronger this year. Their losses are to quality, and often times bigger, programs. I like them in this district and to be a strong regional contender as well.
District 41 at Muskegon Oakridge
Teams: Fruitport, Spring Lake, Muskegon Orchard View, Montague, Whitehall, Muskegon Oakridge
Prediction: A solid district here, as Whitehall and Fruitport could be district contenders in a lot of places. However, Montague has established itself as a real threat in the D2 title picture. I like the Wildcats to emerge as the winners.
District 42 at Sparta
Teams: Sparta, Coopersville, Fremont, Howard City Tri County, Newaygo, Grant
Prediction: Coopersville has taken some lumps throughout the season, but the Broncos still have one of the top players in the state on the court. That should go a long way in helping them win the district title.
District 43 at Grand Rapids West Catholic
Teams: Grand Rapids West Catholic, West Michigan Aviation Academy, Comstock Park, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Forest Hills Eastern, Grand Rapids Christian
Prediction: This is a stacked district, with four teams ranked in our top 14. Forest Hills Eastern, Grand Rapids CC and West Catholic are all high-caliber teams, but Grand Rapids Christian is the two-time defending state champs and still playing at an elite level.
District 44 at Allendale
Teams: Hudsonville Unity Christian, Wyoming Lee, Wyoming Godwin Heights, Wyoming Kelloggsville, Allendale
Prediction: Hudsonville Unity Christian built some momentum throughout the season with a tough schedule and some hard-fought wins. That should give the Crusaders the confidence to get through the week.
District 45 at Hamilton
Teams: Wayland, Hamilton, Hopkins, Grand Rapids South Christian, Allegan, Holland Christian
Prediction: It’s not an easy field for Hamilton next week, but the Hawkeyes have the home court and are battle-tested. They should find their way to the title. Holland Christian has a real shot to play spoiler.
District 46 at Otsego
Teams: South Haven, Benton Harbor, Plainwell, Paw Paw, Otsego, Coloma
Prediction: The host Otsego Bulldogs get the home court and have wins during the season over most of the field. Sounds like a recipe for success.
District 47 at Niles
Teams: Stevensville Lakeshore, Dowagiac, Buchanan, Edwardsburg, Niles, Berrien Springs
Prediction: Niles and Edwardsburg seem like the two favorites to reach the district final. The Vikings have been able to best the Eddies during the season and I think they do the same in the playoffs.
District 48 at Vicksburg
Teams: Battle Creek Pennfield, Three Rivers, Battle Creek Harper Creek, Constantine, Vicksburg, Parchment
Prediction: This district seems like it is completely up for grabs and could go to any of the teams. Battle Creek Harper Creek is my pick. Just a gut instinct.
District 49 at Charlotte
Teams: Lakewood, Olivet, Hastings, Eaton Rapids, Charlotte
Prediction: Lakewood finds itself No. 1 in our last Division 2 rankings. The Vikings are built to win it all. Don’t expect them to have a setback in the opening week of the postseason.
District 50 at Williamston
Teams: Williamston, Owosso, Lansing Catholic, Portland, Corunna
Prediction: This is a solid district with a lot of teams capable of getting hot. Lansing Catholic and Corunna seem to be the favorites. The Cavs have been dealing with a lot of adversity this year and it’s brough the team closer together. It would be nice to see them hold up the district title.
District 51 at Marshall
Teams: Parma Western, Stockbridge, Marshall, Fowlerville, Chelsea
Prediction: Marshall has upped the competition level in the last few weeks. That has helped them polish up their weaknesses and come into the postseason as an even stronger team.
District 52 at Onsted
Teams: Hillsdale, Jonesville, Tecumseh, Blissfield, Onsted
Prediction: Onsted has quietly been going about its business and picking up win after win. The Wildcats could be getting overlooked as a Battle Creek contender.
District 53 at Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard
Teams: Canton Prep, Wixom St. Catherine, Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard, Livonia Clarenceville
Prediction: Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard and Wixom St. Catherine seem set for a district finals match. Should be a good one, but I have to side with the home team in a tightly-contested battle.
District 54 at TBA
Teams: Dearborn Henry Ford, Dearborn Heights Annapolis, Detroit Cody, Dearborn Heights Robichaud
Prediction: Tough call on this one, but Dearborn Henry Ford is my pick. The Navigators reached the district final last year before a loss to a solid Divine Child team. This year seems like their year to win the district final.
District 55 at Romulus Summit Academy North
Teams: Ecorse, Flat Rock, Grosse Ile, Romulus, Romulus Summit Academy
Prediction: Flat Rock looks to be the team to beat in this one. The Rams have been working their way into our rankings consistently and now it’s time to prove they belong.
District 56 at Milan
Teams: Carleton Airport, Dundee, Milan, Monroe Jefferson, Ida
Prediction: Should be some close matches in this district, but Dundee is the team I feel best about. The Vikings have bragging rights over the top teams they will face during the week.
District 57 at TBA
Teams: Ferndale University, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Warren Lincoln, Detroit Henry Ford
Prediction: I like Ferndale in this one. The Eagles have put together some wins over teams in this district and were competitive in OAA play during the season.
District 58 at Warren Regina
Teams: Center Line, St. Clair Shores South Lake, Eastpointe, Warren Regina
Prediction: Warren Regina is fresh of a CHSL championship this week and the Saddlelites seem primed for a solid postseason. Look for that to start with a pair of district wins.
District 59 at Detroit Voyageur Prep
Teams: Detroit Cornerstone Health & Technology, Detroit Communication Media Arts, Detroit Voyageur Prep, Detroit Collegiate Prep
Prediction: It’s a tough call for this one as there isn’t a lot of information out there on these teams, but Detroit Communication Media Arts appears to be the team with the best schedule of opponents during the season. So, that’s my pick.
District 60 at Detroit Edison
Teams: Detroit Edison, Detroit Osborn, Detroit Denby, Harper Woods Chandler Park
Prediction: Harper Woods Chandler Park is my pick in this one. The Eagles have shown more consistency than the other three throughout the season.
District 61 at Ortonville Brandon
Teams: Durand, Flint Powers Catholic, Ortonville Brandon, Goodrich, Lake Fenton
Prediction: Goodrich has been able to get past the teams in this district throughout the season and I have to trust that the Martians can continue to do so.
District 62 at Notre Dame Prep
Teams: Clawson, Cranbrook Kingswood, Madison Heights Lamphere, Notre Dame Prep, Detroit Country Day
Prediction: Detroit Country Day and Notre Dame Prep seem destined for another district finals pairing. Both teams are capable of reaching Battle Creek, but the Irish are a proven winner in November. It will be tough for the Yellowjackets to overcome the poise of the Irish.
District 63 at Imlay City
Teams: Croswell-Lexington, North Branch, Almont, Imlay City, Yale
Prediction: Crowswell-Lexington could pose a real challenge in this district, but I have to side with North Branch. The Broncos are tested and well-coached. Their youth has improved throughout the last two months and they seem ready to make a run in November.
District 64 at Armada
Teams: Marine City, St. Clair, Armada, Macomb Lutheran North, Richmond, Algonac
Prediction: Macomb Lutheran North has strung together a lot of wins this season. The Mustangs should have the confidence to get the job done next week.