Beecher, Buena Vista & All Saints also victorious
BAY CITY -- Things are potentially shaping up for Mid-Michigan to be very well-represented at the Breslin Center late next week.
Five area schools from all four classes advanced to the state quarterfinals next week after claiming regional trophies on Wednesday night. In Class A, Arthur Hill overwhelmed Saginaw Valley League foe Mt. Pleasant, 69-49 at B.C. All Saints High School. Jordan Hare and Maurice Jones each poured in 16 points for the Lumberjacks, while Trey Zeigler led Mt. Pleasant with 20. Zeigler, however, shot a disastrous 0-for-8 from the free throw line, as he missed 19 of his final 21 foul shots over a two-game span to close out an otherwise brilliant high school career.
Arthur Hill's continued improving play throughout the post-season is the result of a gut-check the Lumberjacks gave themselves after a disappointing regular season setback.
"Later on in the season we were playing good, ever since the Romulus loss," said Jones. "And the coaches, they talked. People were kinda more focused on getting things done and being more serious."
"This is just one win of many that we still need. We still need three more wins to win a state championship," added Hare. "We just needed this one to get in, and we gotta focus for Tuesday. We have a big competition coming up, so we're gonna celebrate, but not too much. We need to get back in the gym."
"We're getting better day by day, I'm telling you...it seems by the hour," marveled Arthur Hill head coach Greg McMath. "Jordan Hare's getting better, he's starting to blossom right in front of your eyes But a lot of our other guys are stepping up...Kwincey Tucker, Lydell Simon. So this team right now is really starting to gel, starting to come together."
The Lumberjacks will next face Ann Arbor Huron next Tuesday at Grand Blanc.
In Class B, it's another state quarterfinal showdown between defending state champion Flint Powers and rival Detroit Country Day, as the Chargers defeated Swan Valley, 69-56. Though Country Day is likely to be favored next Tuesday when the two stalwarts collide, Powers head coach Tim Herman touched on the reasons why his club should never be shortchanged.
"This is a great win for the guys. We're just very fortunate to again win regionals, and now we're on to the quarterfinals," began Herman. "We had balanced scoring tonight, four of our starters in double-figures. And you know, that's what 'team' is all about."
"It feels real good to win my third regionals, back-to-back-to-back," added senior guard DeMarco Sanders. "We're gonna take every win as a big one and get ready for Country Day Tuesday."
The two schools will battle next Tuesday in Brighton.
Two other Mid-Michigan schools are also still alive Class C, as both Beecher and Buena Vista won their respective regional title games by double-figure margins. If the Bucs and Knights each win their quarterfinal openers on Tuesday night, the two schools will meet one another in the semi-finals at the Breslin Center next Thursday.
The B.C. All Saints Cougars also have their sights set on a state crown, winning their Class D regional final over North Huron, 62-54. Next up for the Cougars is a date with Marine City Cardinal Mooney next Tuesday night in Waterford.
