Class A

DAVISON v. FLINT CENTRAL

Friday, March 8 7 pm at Flint Central

Central already disposed of one Big 9 team, Kearley, handily and is looking to do it again against 16-5 Davison. The Indians will have to do it without starting senior guard Michael Gaines, out with a shoulder injury. It's hard to believe that the last time Central won a district The Cure was just about to release "Kiss Me..."

DETROIT DENBY v. DETROIT FINNEY

Friday, March 8 6 pm at Grosse Pte. North

Both teams are out of the PSL East. Finney has been on a roll, winning the PSL championship, then the city championship, then destroying Southeastern. The Highlanders are too experienced for Denby at this point.

FLINT NORTHERN v. FLINT CARMAN-AINSWORTH

Friday, March 8 7 pm at Fenton

Northern just might be the best .500 team in the state. Coach Pleasant plays a lot of young guys and they had a brutal schedule ... one that concluded with a win over Detroit Country Day. Carman-Ainsworth has the advantage in the backcourt with Hatcher, Lawler and Grigsby. Scott Richardson will have to play his ass off to neutralize Matt Trannon, who will be playing with that senior fire.

SOUTH LYON v. ANN ARBOR PIONEER

Friday, March 8 7:30 pm at Ann Arbor Huron

Two teams that run beautiful offenses. South Lyon will look to make a better showing than when Pioneer blew it out of districts last year.

BENTON HARBOR v. BATTLE CREEK CENTRAL

Saturday, March 9 7 pm at Battle Creek Lakeview

The SMAC's two best teams, both 18-4 and having split during the regular season. When push comes to shove the Tigers may have an edge because their top scorer, Cory Broyles, gets his points in a manner which is more reliable than the Bearcats' two top guns, Barry Shelton and Tito Alexander.

HOLLAND v. GRAND RAPIDS CRESTON

Saturday, March 9 7 pm at West Ottawa

Even if Jeff Carlson isn't 100 percent his presence alone gives the Dutch the edge. Still, bad luck all year for the Dutch, Carlson's back but senior, three-year starting guard Mark Roessing is hurt. 6'1" junior Ronald Ferguson played well in Carlson's absence and gives Holland a third scoring option along with Jeff and Mike Hall. Hall's post defense on 6'7" Jim Van Rees will be crucial.

ROCKFORD v. FOREST HILLS CENTRAL

Saturday, March 9 7 pm at Greenville

The Rams have gotta hope the final is easier than the semfinal, where they beat Forest Hills Northern 66-62. It might not be. The Rangers are 19-2, with one of those losses actually coming to the Rams in the season opener. Rockford will need a more consistent defensive effort than it had against Northern.

Class B

HIGHLAND PARK v. DETROIT RENAISSANCE

Friday, March 8 7 pm at Madison Hts. Bishop Foley

The Phoenix should win, with Mr. PSL running the point and two big-time sophomore scorers, but this should be an entertaining game. The Polar Bears have good athletes and a solid junior point guard in Delorean White.

WARREN FITZGERALD v. HARPER WOODS NOTRE DAME

Friday, March 8 7:30 pm at Harper Woods Notre Dame

Fitzgerald is 21-1. Its only loss ... to Notre Dame. Sean Rinke is a good defender, but can he slow down Fitzgerald's star junior Carlos English. Conversely, 6'6" Russell Gordon will have to contend with Notre Dame's post tandem of 6'8" Dave Drwencke and 6'7" Marvin Listenbee. All three are juniors.

FLINT POWERS v. FLINT SOUTHWESTERN

Friday, March 8 7 pm at Montrose

Southwestern started the season so strong but ended up 12-8 in the regular season. Trouble for Powers -- all-state guard Anthony Hamo will miss the game with mono.

WYOMING PARK v. GRAND RAPIDS SOUTH CHRISTIAN

Saturday, March 9 6:30 pm at Kelloggsville

When Park beat the Sailors in December South Christian's Derek Van Solkema had an uncharacteristically poor offensive night. Those are few and far between for the junior guard. South Christian has the advantage in size and tournament experience. But Park has Drew Neitzel.

DETROIT CENTRAL v. DETROIT CROCKETT

Saturday, March 9 6 pm at Dearborn Divine Child

A showdown between the schools that won the 2001 Class B state title -- Crockett -- and the 1998 Class A state title -- Central. As scrappy a club as Central is, there's no matchup for Maurice Ager in this contest.

Class C

JONESVILLE v. HANOVER-HORTON

Saturday, March 9 7 pm at Hanover-Horton

Jonesville is 20-1, H-H is 21-1.

NORTH MUSKEGON v. MUSKEGON HEIGHTS

Saturday, March 9 7 pm at Hart

Two of the state's top five Class C players will be on the court in the persons of Height's 6'5" junior Eddie Spencer and North Muskegon's 6'10" junior Drew Naymick. Like so many games at any level, this one will be about establishing tempo. If Heights gets it going North Muskegon is in trouble. By the same token, if Naymick is involved in most of the plays on both ends the Tigers could be in trouble. And that's a definite possibility, as Drew is faster than some might infer.