By Daniel Gretzner
Things are looking up for Dearborn Divine Child and Riverview Gabriel Richard in the high school girls’ state playoffs. Both schools won their respective regional title games and have advanced the state quarterfinals.
The Lady Falcons won their third regional title in four years, breezing past Ferndale 73-45 in the Carleton Airport regional semifinals Tuesday, and New Boston Huron 56-33 in the finals Thursday.
The 23-2 defending state champions will face Marshall (19-6) in a Class B quarterfinal matchup at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Ann Arbor Skyline. The winner of that will advance to the Class B semifinals Friday to take on either Goodrich (25-0) or Detroit Country Day (22-1) at 7:30 p.m. at the Breslin Center on the Michigan State Universtiy campus. The state finals will tip off at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Breslin Center.
Gabriel Richard (19-4) had an easy time in the Petersburg-Summerfield regional semifinals Tuesday, crushing Britton Deerfield 67-36, then edging Manchester 39-33 in the finals Thursday.
The Pioneers will take on Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (21-4) in a Class C quarterfinal game at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Milford. The winner of that will advance to the Class C semifinals at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Breslin Center to take on either Concord (25-0) or Niles Brandywine (24-1). The state finals will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Breslin Center.
DOWNRIVER CAGERS KNOCK OFF DEARBORN SQUADS IN DISTRICTS
The boys’ March Madness has arrrived on the local Dearborn and Downriver high school scene. Cage action for the boys’ state playoffs got underway as district games have pitted encounters between Western Wayne Athletic Association and Downriver League squads.
Fordson hosted a Class A district last week. Both Dearborn teams were ousted by Downriver quintets during the opening tilts on the hardwoods. The Dearborn High Pioneers came out on the low end of a 68-60 score in a fairly close contest against Lincoln Park.
Host Fordson dropped a 47-40 game to Allen Park knocking the Tractors out of the playoff competition.
Chances are Lincoln Park will win the district based onits 15-7 regular season record this season.
How far the Railsplitters will go in regional play is up for grabs. They have two sharpshooters — Deangelo Tillman and Thomas Beard — who lead the Parker offensive attack. Tillman finished with 24 markers and Beard netted 15 against a good DHS team.
Woodhaven hosted the other nearby Class A district. Trenton looks like the strongest team in that field. The Trojans handeled Southgate Anderson easily, taking a 47-27 victory into the finals. Only Gibraltar Carlson has a shot at stopping a tough Trenton squad, led by Chad Hamilton, a consistent double-digit performer.
ROBICHAUD MAY REACH REGIONALS
In Class B district tilts being hosted in Melvindale, Dearborn Heights Robichaud is expected to squeak out a win over Dearborn Heights Annapolis in the finals. The Bulldogs handled Annapolis rather easily twice during the regular season, and the finals tilt should’ve been the same.
Robichaud left host Melvindale down and out in a 49-36 win, putting themselves in line for the district final. Lorenzo Bamm is a key player in the Bulldogs scheme of things. He dropped in 16 points in their win against the Cardinals.
Annapolis was riding a six-game winning streak heading into the finals after upending Dearborn Divine Child 61-51.
In summary, a number of prep teams, boy’s and girl’s basketball varsity cagers, are playing well enough to stay in state tournament action. Hopefully, they can go all the way to the top. Stay tuned. “March Madness” is here and progressing well.