Mid-Michigan Matchups for Friday

Game of the night: Flint Carman Ainsworth @ Clarkston

Match-up of the night: Birch Run’s Jordan Duby vs. Frankenmuth’s Brad Redford

By Gavin Raath

10 January 2008

greatlakeshoops.com

Bath @ Laingsburg

Not quite the game that it used to be with Laingsburg’s fall. I expected a good year for the ‘Burg, but apparently Nathan Rourke was more important than I gave him credit for. These two schools hate each other and it will be a fun atmosphere with the home team itching to play spoiler. Give it to the Bees in a low-scoring affair by eight.

Detroit Country Day @ Flint Powers Catholic Central

Powers has had DCD’s number for the past couple of years. As good as the Chargers are they should be overmatched by the much larger DCD. Powers loses by ten.

Flint Carman Ainsworth @ Clarkston

Both are undefeated and have a kind of rivalry stemming back to the days when the Cavaliers went to the Breslin in back-to-back seasons. Since then, it’s been all Clarkston. This year is CA’s best chance at beating the Wolves. The Wolves’ Oliver Kupe and Reggie Stallings will provide a battle with two of the state’s best athletes. Jon Lee and Kieon Arkwright will wreak havoc on Clarkston’s backcourt. CA’s frontcourt will be tested by an equally big, but not as talented post. It should be a great game, but this is CA’s year. The Cavaliers win by four.

Frankenmuth @ Birch Run

The TVC East is up for grabs in this one. Both are undefeated in-conference with top tier guards. The question may come to the supporting casts. Nick Shelton and Ryan Keith vs. Dakotah Ellis and Chris Fogg. I’m a big believer in Frankenmuth – the Eagles should win by six.

Haslett @ DeWitt

It always seems to come down between these two for the CAAC. Both are well-coached teams with good enough talent to be competitive with anyone. The battle in the backcourt is close with Haslett winning out by a nose. The post should be in DeWitt’s favor with 6’5” senior Sam Celentino, but he hasn’t quite made the splash expected of him. I like Haslett by eight.

International Academy of Flint @ Genesee Christian

Coach Matheson has had a rough year, but this is the one that he wants. GCS and IAF make for a great class D rivalry in the Flint-area, although it would be nice if the Phoenix had a home court. Tyler Wilson, Lee Caldwell and Darius Wilson are a nice trio, but GCS is tough at every spot. Skill wins out over athletic talent as the Soldiers get another win over IAF, by double digits.

Lapeer West @ Lapeer East

A good rivalry game that's also for the Metro conference leader. East is large and deep, but a little light on the perimeter. Chris Hutton and Zach Koerner of Lapeer West make for a good backcourt that could go off for a big game. West always seems to have East's number, but this is East's year. The Eagles win by two.

Ubly @ Harbor Beach

Ubly looks to be finally healthy, while Harbor Beach reloaded. Ubly should be a favorite to win the East, but Harbor Beach is back with guys like Tom Sorenson, 6’3” beast Jason Volmering, and sharpshooters Alex Talaski and Jacob Murawske. The Bearcats were guard-heavy coming into the year, but 6’6” sophomore Steven Weber and 6’3” junior Jordan Kaufman have stepped up nicely. Both played Reese earlier this year, and Ubly was crushed, while Beach almost won. I’ll take Harbor Beach by two at home.