Class A: Jackson vs. Ann Arbor Pioneer, 7 p.m. at Chelsea

This is what it typically comes down to. If the district continues to form, Pioneer will beat Jackson ... by a little. Jackson’s Keonta Howell is put together a strong finish to his career.

Class A: Detroit Denby vs. Detroit Southeastern, 7 p.m. at Grosse Pointe South

Denby beat Southeastern twice during the regular season, the second time without star junior Darryl Garrett. Will Brandon Jenkins and Walter Waters go out like champions?

Class A: Pontiac Northern at Pontiac Central, 7 p.m.

From the familiarity breeds contempt department, here comes another war for the Yak. Both teams have been bolstered by new faces in the second semesters — Northern’s Tyrone Prentiss, who bumped Antonio Bonds over to two guard, and Central’s Peonte Manley, a 6’4” junior slasher who is the Chiefs’ best player.

Class A: Milford at Lakeland, 7 p.m.

See above — another Oakland County grudge match. There will be no surprises here, as Lakeland coach Bob Brugger was once an assistant at Milford under Don Palmer. The Eagles can only hope Jim Presley and Kyle Plummer don’t glance over and see Milford track coach Chris Ceresa on the sideline. What better incentive to play well, knowing you could keep playing basketball or ... start practice in 20 degree weather.

Class A: Carman-Ainsworth at Davison, 7 p.m.

Big Nine co-champs will settle it once and for all, having split in the regular season. If defense wins games, then Carman-Ainsworth, which is outscoring opponents by about 20, wins this one.

Class B: Birmingham Country Day vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, 7 p.m. at Pontiac Notre Dame

This matchup was a foregone conclusion, as these two meet every year. Both teams have solid, if unspectacular, guard play, and win games on the strength of their frontcourts — Ije Nwankwo and Alex Credit for Country Day, and John Andrews and Dewayne Watkins for St. Mary’s. The Eaglets won when these teams played in December. That game went to overtime, and this one should be about that close, too.

Class B: Holland Christian vs. Grandville Calvin Christian, 7 p.m. at Hamilton

My upset pick isn’t looking so great, since Holland Christian’s best player, 6’6” senior Peter Overbeek, is hampered by a bad back. So, he at least has one thing in common with Larry Bird. If he has more than one thing in common, the Maroons could prevail. It hurts me to say those words. At this rate, I’ll be heading a Hillary For President campaign.

Class C: Quincy at Bronson, 7 p.m.

Two senior all-staters, and big-time scorers, go head-to-head: Bronson’s Kyle Ganton and Quincy’s Dominic Lopez. The teams aren’t too shabby, either, as Quincy comes in 19-3, Bronson, 18-4.

Class C: Marion vs. McBain, 7 p.m. at Pine River

Central Michigan-signee Justin Blevins is playing the best ball of his career for Marion.

Class D: Central Lake vs. Bellaire, 7 p.m. at Ellsworth

Some assume that it is a done deal that Bellaire and Gaylord St. Mary will meet for a third time in the regional. But Central Lake and Bellaire split in the regular season. Bellaire junior guard Sean Jody is making up for lost time after missing half the regular season. In the semifinal he outscored Ellsworth 22-11 over the first half and finished the game having not missed a field goal or free throw.

Class D: Harbor Light Christian vs. Alanson, 7 p.m. at Pellston

Harbor Light looks to be back in the form that had then ranked in the top 10 in the middle of the season. Alanson is a tough opponent, with gritty fullcourt defense and a wily veteran coach in Jerry Ernst. The key for Harbor Light will be for Dean Cosens to continue his strong all-around play. The 6’2” junior is in the state’s 99.9th percentile as an athlete, but has to keep his head in the game.