2020 MHSAA Postseason: Division 3 District Predictions
The 2020 MHSAA postseason is set to begin in just a couple of days. Division 3 looks to have some really exciting tournaments ahead this week. Here’s a closer look at all 32, and our predictions for each one. Related:…
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Continue ReadingThe 2020 MHSAA postseason is set to begin in just a couple of days.
Division 3 looks to have some really exciting tournaments ahead this week. Here’s a closer look at all 32, and our predictions for each one.
Related: Division 1 District Predictions
Related: Division 2 District Predictions
Related: Division 4 District Predictions
District 65 at Calumet
Teams: L’Anse, West Iron County, Calumet, Hancock, Painesdale Jeffers
Prediction: Calumet is hosting this week and the Copper Kings are the team to beat. They have been securely in our D3 rankings for most of the season.
District 66 at Gwinn
Teams: Negaunee, Ishpeming Westwood, Gwinn, Ispheming
Prediction: Gwinn gets to host this small tournament. The Modeltowners will find a way to pick up a pair of wins on their home floor.
District 67 at Iron Mountain
Teams: Manistique, Norway, Menominee, Bark River-Harris, Iron Mountain
Prediction: Up in the U.P., I like Manistique to come away with the district crown. The Emeralds were a regional finalist last year and that experience should help them this week.
District 68 at St. Ignace
Teams: East Jordan, Charlevoix, St. Ignace, Rogers City
Prediction: East Jordan has had a strong season and could play spoiler, but I like Charlevoix to come away with the title. The Rayders are a top-10 team in our D3 rankings.
District 69 at Johannesburg-Lewiston
Teams: Roscommon, Tawas, Alcona, Oscoda, Johannesburg-Lewiston, Whittemore-Prescott
Prediction: This is a tough call, but Oscoda is the team I am going with. The Owls have some good wins this season, comparable to what they are up against this week.
District 70 at Mancelona
Teams: Grand Traverse Academy, Traverse City St. Francis, Maple City Glen Lake, Elk Rapids, Mancelona
Prediction: Traverse City St. Francis has been a power within Division 3 for years, and the Gladiators are a top contender once again this year.
District 71 at Lake City
Teams: Evart, Lake City, Manton, McBain, LeRoy Pine River
Prediction: A lot of Highland Conference teams in the mix here. McBain is the team that gave Beal City, the Highland champs, the most competition. I like the Ramblers to win this tournament.
District 72 at Farwell
Teams: Sanford Meridian, Farwell, Houghton Lake, Beaverton, Pinconning
Prediction: Beaverton was a semifinalist last year and the Beavers are once again showcasing the skills to make it happen this November. Look for them to have a successful week.
District 73 at Hart
Teams: Hart, Hesperia, Mason County Central, White Cloud
Prediction: I like Hesperia in this district. The Panthers have picked up some nice wins during the season and I think they are best prepared for this district field.
District 74 at Kent City
Teams: North Muskegon, Holton, Saugatuck, Ravenna, Kent City, Western Michigan Christian
Prediction: Three top-15 teams and two in the top 10 in this district. It should provide some great action during the week. I like Western Michigan Christian to find a way past North Muskegon and Kent City.
District 75 at Morley Stanwood
Teams: Beal City, Morley Stanwood, Carson City-Crystal, Montabella, Pewamo-Westphalia, Lakeview
Prediction: It’s a great matchup in the opener between Beal City and Morley Stanwood, a pair of top 10 teams. The Aggies won a close three-set match earlier in the season, so I go with them over the Mohawks.
District 76 at Saranac
Teams: Grand Rapids NorthPointe Christian, Grand Rapids Wellspring Prep, Saranac, Wyoming Potter’s House, Grandville Calvin Christian, Grand Rapids Covenant Christian
Prediction: Another solid district taking place at Saranac. Calvin Christian is my pick. The Squires own some key wins over other top teams like NorthPointe Christian and Covenant Christian.
District 77 at Bloomingdale
Teams: Fennville, Gobles, Bloomingdale, Bangor, Holland Black River
Prediction: Little bit of a toss up in this district. I can see Bangor and Black River coming away with the title. Coin toss goes with Black River.
District 78 at Watervliet
Teams: Niles Brandywine, Hartford, Bridgman, Watervliet, Cassopolis
Prediction: Another tough district to call. Watervliet is my gut instinct. The Panthers competed for a league title in a competitive conference. I think that will have them ready next week.
District 79 at Centreville
Teams: Lawton, Marcellus, Schoolcraft, Decatur, Centreville, White Pigeon
Prediction: Schoolcraft has looked like a team on a mission after falling in the finals last year. The Eagles have had a total team effort and should be too much for anyone else in this district.
District 80 at Comstock
Teams: Kalamazoo Christian, Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep, Comstock, Delton Kellogg, Maple Valley
Prediction: Kalamazoo Christian is looking to be a bracket buster in the weeks to come and the Comets have the talent to make it happen.
District 81 at Bronson
Teams: Homer, Quincy, Concord, Reading, Bronson, Union City
Prediction: Bronson has a lot of rich postseason success in its program history. The Vikings will be playoff ready this week. Playing at home is just an added bonus.
District 82 at Hanover-Horton
Teams: Vandercook Lake, Brooklyn Columbia Central, Hanover-Horton, Napoleon, Jackson Prep
Prediction: The Jayhawks have dropped some sets throughout the season, but they still find ways to win. I am going with Vandercook Lake to advance.
District 83 at Jackson Lumen Christi
Teams: Leslie, East Jackson, Michigan Center, Jackson Lumen Christi, Springport, Grass Lake
Prediction: This district should be pretty balanced. The opponents all match up pretty well. Michigan Center is the team I like to emerge as the winner.
District 84 at Bath
Teams: Byron, Dansville, Potterville, Laingsburg, Bath, Perry
Prediction: It’s a district of largely CMAC teams and Bath gets to host. The Bees have had the most success against the rest of the field during the season.
District 85 at Hudson
Teams: Hudson, Addison, Morenci, Adrian Madison, Adrian Lenawee Christian, Sand Creek
Prediction: A really strong district here with three teams in our D3 rankings. Hudson is the team to beat in my mind. The Tigers have the ability to make a lot of waves over the next few weeks.
District 86 at Clinton
Teams: Whitmore Lake, Manchester, Charyl Stockwell Academy, Clinton, Ann Arbor Greenhills
Prediction: Charyl Stockwell has a chance to play spoiler here, but Manchester is my pick. The Flying Dutchmen have played a very competitive schedule and look ready for the challenges of the upcoming week.
District 87 at Erie Mason
Teams: Erie Mason, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central, Ypsilanti Arbor Prep, Ottawa Lake Whiteford
Prediction: The SMCC Kestrels are the defending state champs and have been playing at a high level all season. I don’t see any stopping them this week.
District 88 at Allen Park Cabrini
Teams: Taylor Prep, Allen Park Cabrini, Riverview Gabriel Richard
Prediction: It’s a small field. Riverview Gabriel Richard is already in the district final and the Pioneers would be a contender in most districts as is.
District 89 at Detroit Cristo Rey
Teams: Detroit Central, Detroit Southeastern, Detroit Cristo Rey
Prediction: In just a three-team tournament Detroit Cristo Rey already has a spot in the district final, not to mention the home-court advantage.
District 90 at Royal Oak Shrine
Teams: Warren Michigan Collegiate, Detroit Pershing, Royal Oak Shrine, Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett, Madison Heights Bishop Foley, Madison Heights Madison
Prediction: Royal Oak Shrine gets to host and has a chance to make a nice postseason run. The Knights have had a solid fall and will look to turn it into a championship next week.
District 91 at Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest
Teams: Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest, New Haven, Clintondale
Prediction: A small district should favor the home team. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest plays in a tough MIAC Conference. The Crusaders should be ready for postseason challenges.
District 92 at Marlette
Teams: Capac, Brown City, Marlette, Sandusky, Kimball Landmark Academy, Memphis
Prediction: Brown City has the potential to win more than a district championship. I don’t see the Green Devils slipping up during districts.
District 93 at Ithaca
Teams: St. Louis, Ithaca, St. Charles, Merrill, Breckenridge
Prediction: Merill was a quarterfinalist in Division 4 last year. Can the Vandals handle the move up to D3? I think they will be able to this week to claim a district title.
District 94 at Millington
Teams: Vassar, Montrose, Reese, Saginaw Valley Lutheran, New Lothrop, Millington
Prediction: Valley Lutheran knows what it takes to get to Battle Creek. The Chargers have been near the top of the D3 rankings all year and seem poised to make another deep postseason run.
District 95 at Burton Bendle
Teams: Burton Bendle, Otisville LakeVille Memorial, Burton Atherton, Flint Beecher, Burton Bentley, Flint New Standard Academy, Flint Hamady
Prediction: One of the biggest districts in the state, with seven teams. Out of this pack I think I am going to go with Otisville LakeVille Memorial. The Falcons have been competitive with some other strong Division 3 programs.
District 96 at Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker
Teams: Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Laker, Cass City, Unionville-Sebewaing, Harbor Beach, Bad Axe
Prediction: Cass City, Harbor Beach and Bad Axe have posed some challenges to Unionville-Sebewaing this season, but the Patriots experience winning tough postseason matches should push them to the title.