Northwest, Marshall and Napoleon girls basketball teams fight for spot in quarterfinals
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Jackson – The girls basketball playoff field has been trimmed to just 16 teams in each of the four classes, and squads from the JTV area are prepped and ready for regional final games tonight.
After tonight, teams across the state still standing will be one win away from a trip to the Breslin Center and semifinal action.
But first things first, here’s a quick look at who’s left and what’s on the line.
Class A
East Lansing (18-6) vs. Jackson Northwest (22-2)
7 p.m. at Mason High
Northwest has beaten every team it’s faced this year aside from Marshall. The Mounties have gotten this far thanks to a defense allowing just 34.3 points per game.
That will certainly be tested against an East Lansing team that’s won 11 in a row and enters the game averaging nearly 60 points per contents.
The Trojans started the season 2-5 before Michigan State signee Taryn McCutcheon transferred to the school.
The winner advances to the March 15 quarterfinal at Battle Creek Central against Hudsonville (21-3) or Muskegon Mona Shores (21-3) at 7 p.m.
Class B
Marshall (22-1) vs. Otsego (20-3)
7 p.m. at Battle Creek Harper Creek
Marshall’s been on an absolute roll since the season started, and one of the team’s 22 wins includes a 52-13 victory over Otsego earlier in the winter.
Coach Sal Konkle cautioned against looking into that win too much, but the truth of it it is, the Redhawks toughest game of the regional was Tuesday night’s 62-44 win against Stevensville Lakeshore.
The game’s winner moves on to the Otsego quarterfinal and faces Grand Rapids Catholic Central (20-2) or Muskegon Oakridge (20-2) at 7 p.m. March 15.
Class C
Napoleon (24-0) vs. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (21-2)
6 p.m. at Springport
The Pirates’ undefeated season will see its toughest challenge to date in an Arbor Prep team that’s gone 19-1 since Dec. 5. And that lone loss came to Detroit Country Day, the defending Class B state champs.
The Gators have a suffocating defense, giving up 31.5 points per game and just 65 total in their three playoff wins so far.
Though, to be fair, Arbor Prep has yet to see a team as talented in the playoffs as Napoleon is.
Steve Smoyer has his girls playing at a different level right now.
The winner advances to the Michigan Center quarterfinal and faces Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (19-4) or Adrian Madison (22-1) at 7 p.m. on March 15.