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Big Lexi’s Big 25 & District Finals Predictions

March 8, 2024

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#1 WEST BLOOMFIELD (20-1)

Most recently, West Bloomfield blew out Lake Orion by over 45 points, Oxford by 56 points and Clarkston by 40 points. WB also had another big win over my #23 ranked Stoney Creek for the second time this season and they should easily win their Rochester matchup on 2/27. Their last true test before playoffs began was their last regular season game of the season on 2/29 when they faced my #20 ranked Grand Blanc, but it didn’t turn out to be much of a test for WB as they went on to win 67-28.

#2 ANN ARBOR FATHER GABRIEL RICHARD (22-0)

Most recently, FGR cruised through their regular season completely unblemished after getting their biggest win of the season vs Renaissance 54-39. The fundamentals and team basketball of this squad will take them far. My ONLY small worry going into playoff time is how young and inexperienced in March Madness FGR is.

#3 ROCKFORD (21-1)

Most recently, Rockford’s last test before playoff time was against my #10 ranked Holland West Ottawa & came out with a 70-54 win. Rockford ended their regular season in the best way and I honestly believe at this point that the lone loss to East Kentwood was a fluke and just their worst game of the season. Rockford’s experience already being at the Breslin will benefit them in playoffs.

#4 GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC (21-1)

Most recently, GR West Catholic continued to win the rest of their regular season games without a flinch. GR West Catholic’s experience already being at the Breslin will benefit them in playoffs and that’s why I put them over Belleville because Belleville lacks that experience.

#5 BELLEVILLE (20-2)

Most recently, Belleville proved that just because you beat a team by more than another team did- doesn’t mean you’re the better team. Belleville dropped the Edison game 57-46 and stays at the #5 spot in Week 8’s rankings. This game did not disappoint, though. Close & exciting game!

#6 DETROIT EDISON (25-3)

Most recently, DEPSA LOST their last regular season game of the season to my #14 ranked Frankenmuth 58-63!

#7 EAST KENTWOOD (19-3)

Most recently, I got my prediction correct about EK’s confidence bouncing back before playoffs and getting a win in the big #11 Ranked Grand Haven game 57-55. EK’s on a 4-game win streak after their Rockford loss and looks good heading into playoffs.

#8 DETROIT RENAISSANCE (19-3)

Most recently, February was a baaad month for Renaissance. The team had an unblemished record going into February but dropped 3 games in the short month. I somehow skimmed over the FGR game in the schedule when I predicted that Renaissance would have won the rest of their regular season games after the Edison loss and was not surprised about the loss to FGR but I was surprised about the score. I thought the 16-point loss would’ve ended in a closer game. My jaw was on the FLOOR, though, over the Tecumseh loss 55-59. Tecumseh (18-5) is a REALY SOLID team, but Renaissance should’ve won this game…

#9 ARBOR PREP (18-4)

My prediction of back-to-back losses for Arbor Prep came true. Arbor Prep dropped the Edison game, which didn’t affect their placement in my Big 10, however, the loss to my #15 ranked Detroit Country Day forced me to bring Arbor Prep down to the #9 ranked spot because it was to a team ranked under them and this loss gave Arbor Prep their 4th loss of the season, tied for the most losses with anyone ranked in my Big 10. Arbor Prep bounced back, though, and won their game over Romulus on 2/20, Stockbridge on 2/23 and Mercy on 2/27. Their last regular season game is on 2/29 vs Jonesville.

#10 GOODRICH (22-0)

Most recently, Goodrich has been out of my Top 10 since Week 4 because their schedule wasn’t as battle tested as many other teams in my rankings, however, as the season went on, Goodrich stayed undefeated for their entire regular season and because of their experience in making it to the Breslin last year, I believe Goodrich could make another big run. They also ended up getting big wins over my #12 ranked Frankenmuth, my #20 ranked Grand Blanc, a good Farmington Hills Mercy team and swept Lake Fenton on the season. So not only did Goodrich become more battle tested as the season went on, but they will also carry the experience they gained from being at the Breslin last year into this year’s playoff run, which can benefit them greatly.

#11 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (21-0)

Close wins over Troy, Regina and Marian

#12 Frankenmuth (20-2)

Close loss to Goodrich, big loss to Rockford, close win over Lansing Catholic (Edison matchup on 2/29)

#13 Detroit Country Day (17-5)

Big wins over Clarkston & Stoney Creek, close win over Tecumseh, close losses to Edison, Renaissance and Montini (Illinois school), big losses to WB and Belleville

#14 Grand Haven (17-5)

Close win over West Ottawa & close loss in rematch to West Ottawa, close loss to East Kentwood, 1 big loss and 1 close loss to Rockford

#15 Holland West Ottawa (15-6)

Close loss to East Kentwood and Grand Haven (got win in both games rematch), 2 big losses to Rockford and a close loss to Battle Creek Central

#16 Negaunee (21-1)

Close loss to Ishpeming & close win over Ishpeming in 2nd matchup

#17 Ishpeming (22-1)

Close win over Negaunee & close loss to Negaunee in 2nd matchup

#18 Byron Center (18-4)

Close win over Hudsonville, close loss to East Kentwood, big loss to Rockford, close losses to Forest Hills Northern and West Ottawa

#19 Bedford Temperance (20-2)

Close loss to Northview and Saline, close win over Tecumseh

#20 Grand Blanc (17-4)

Close loss to Hartland, Lake Fenton & Goodrich, close win over Midland Dow, big loss to WB

#21 Midland Dow (19-3)

Close wins over Tecumseh and Dexter, close loss to Northview and Grand Blanc, big loss to FGR

#22 Tecumseh (19-5)

Close loss to Detroit Country Day, Grass Lake, Bedford and 2x to Chelsea, close win over Renaissance

#23 Lansing Catholic (17-6)

Close losses to Renaissance, FGR, Mumford, Rockford and Frankenmuth

#24 Wayne Memorial (13-6)

Close loss to Arbor Prep & Belleville, big loss to Bolingbrook, IL, big loss to Pickerington (Ohio), big losses to Belleville & Edison

#25 Lowell (16-6)

Close win over East Kentwood, close losses to Arbor Prep, Byron Center (2 times), EGR & big loss to FGR

DISTRICT FINALS PREDICTIONS:

BOLD teams are predicted to WIN.

#1 West Bloomfield vs Farmington Hills Mercy
#5 Belleville vs #24 Wayne Memorial (big matchup)
#3 Rockford vs Muskegon Mona Shores
#8 Detroit Renaissance vs Berkley
#15 Holland West Ottawa vs #14 Grand Haven (each have 1 W/1 L vs each other)
#18 Byron Center vs #7 East Kentwood (predicting upset)
#19 Bedford Temperance vs Trenton
#20 Grand Blanc vs Oxford
#21 Midland Dow vs Bay City Western
#25 Lowell vs East Grand Rapids
Jackson Northwest vs East Lansing
DeWitt vs Grand Ledge (predicting easy win)

#2 Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard vs Wixom St. Catherine
#4 Grand Rapids West Catholic vs Grand Rapids Catholic Central
#6 Detroit Edison vs Detroit Univ. Prep
#10 Goodrich vs Lake Fenton
#11 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s vs Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook
#12 Frankenmuth vs Clio
#13 Detroit Country Day vs Ferndale
#16 Negaunee vs Escanaba
#22 Tecumseh vs Adrian Mason
#23 Lansing Catholic vs Portland
Powers Catholic vs Flint Hamady
Chelsea vs Williamston

#9 Arbor Prep vs Grass Lake
Blissfield vs Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central
Jackson Lumen Christi vs Michigan Center
St. Charles vs Ovid Elsie
Sandusky vs Caro
Lake City vs Evart
Harbor Springs vs Bark River-Harris
Saugatuck vs Grand Rapids Covenant Christian

#17 Ishpeming vs Baraga
Lake Linden-Hubbell vs Hancock
Carney-Nadeau vs Stephenson
Munising vs Newberry
Maple City Glen Lake vs Lake Leelanau St. Mary
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart vs Big Rapids Crossroads
Morenci vs Pittsford