Mid-Michigan Matchups for Tuesday

Game of the night: Hemlock @ Frankenmuth

Match-up of the night: Lansing Sexton's Drew Valentine vs. Lansing Waverly's Zach Saylor

By Gavin Raath

22 January 2008

greatlakeshoops.com

Flint Hamady @ Burton Bentley

Patrick Ellison's final week of basketball as he is set to have surgery on an ACL injury next week. This Tuesday he's got Hamady, then New Lothrop on Friday. The 6'5" senior hasn't been himself, but still might be the best post in the GAC. Jermaine Wyatt, an athletic 6'2" junior, is his heir apparent. Bentley should have an easy advantage inside, but the problem for the Bulldogs is in the backcourt. Hamady's Demarkus Jackson and Brian Echols are the GAC's best backcourt and have been terrorizing teams all year. Lau'ren Jones, Logan McKenna and Joey Jerisk will have their work cut out for them. They'll need to take a page out of Goodrich's Colin Angle's book to secure the ball across halfcourt. I'll bet Bentley gets it together, like last year, to secure the win at home by four.

Genesee Christian @ Lansing Christian

LCS features two all state players in DeOndre Callahan and Mike Garza. Meanwhile, GCS doesn't really rely on one player, but a few. Senior Zac Goodspeed has been playing great ball lately, while juniors Tyler Scott and Travis Forsmark are solid. I like LCS' stars, but after those two, the Soldiers are better. At LCS, I'll give the nod to the Pilgrims by ten.

Hemlock @ Frankenmuth

Hemlock has been the surprise of the TVC. I don't think anyone expected them to beat the likes of Freeland, Alma and Bullock Creek in the preseason. Vondette and Root are two quality seniors, and they have the size up front to create mismatches. 'Muth has no size, but it doesn't seem to matter. Their success may be just as surprising as Hemlock's. Brad Redford is having the best senior year of any player state-wide, and it's not even close. I usually assume that the East division is tougher than the Central, but I got burned last year when Bridgeport lost to Alma. I could get burned again, but I'm sticking to my belief in the East. The Eagles win by four.

Lansing Sexton @ Lansing Waverly

This is the game that CAAC fans have been waiting for. Sexton may be the best team in Lansing, while Waverly, when 6'8" senior Zach Saylor is on the floor, has a case for the same claim. The burden is on Vince Parker to protect the ball across half-court against the quick Reds' guards. Drew Valentine, a 6'5" junior, will have his work cut out for him with Saylor. The last time Sexton played a team with a dominant big man, it lost. Waverly, however, just hasn't been convincing lately with two close calls against Jackson Lumen Christi and Lansing Eastern [understandable though]. I have to go with the Reds by one.

Pewamo -- Westphalia @ Bath

The CMAC first and third battle it out in this contest. PW could play spoiler here, but an undefeated Bath is on a roll and may not lose a game this season. CCC seems to be the only team equipped to take them out, but if PW can turn this game into a track meet, then it may have a chance, but even then I'm not sure. I'll take the Bees in an eight-point victory.

Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central @ Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart

Nouvel has had some setbacks, but at the end of the day it may be the best class C team around. This should be a good game for them to work the kinks out, but better not take the Irish too lightly. MPSH struggled recently, but if Alex Wood is healthy, then this is a dangerous team for anyone. I'll take the Panthers by double-digits.