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Class B at Millington

The Cros-Lex Pioneers (9-9), who are still trying to gain a share of their fifth straight BWAC title this week, will face the host Cardinals in the opening game of the tournament on Monday. In a fairly wide open field of teams, Millington may be the slight favorite. The Cardinals feature one of the finest athletes in Thumb Area in guard Dustin Griesing He was the quarterback on the All-Thumb Area Football Team and is making a bid for first team on this Year's All-Thumb hoops squad.

Coach Don Roberts of Cros-Lex, who has three District titles under his belt in the last four years, figures just about anything can happen at Millington next week.

"The District looks like a mirror image of our league (BWAC). It'll just depend on who plays well that week," said Roberts.

The Pioneers won a pair of BWAC games last week, and if they won last night against Algonac, they would share the championship with Richmond and Armada, all at 9-5.

"To do what we did last week, and we finish it off, this is a momentum builder for us," added Roberts. "Our goal always is to play our most confident and best basketball at the end of the season."

Caro and Vassar meet in the other semifinal on Monday. Yale and North Branch await the Monday night winners in the District semis on Wed., Mar. 27

Class C at Marlette

Just one year ago, the Brown City Green Devils were riding high into the Districts after finishing with a co-championship in the GTC East. Coach Tony Burton's team has gone unbeaten in East play and wrapped up a title, with a game to go, this year. They are certainly the favorites at Marlette, but Burton only has to remind his players what happened in the last District tournament. The Devils were upended in the semis by Marlette, the same team they open with Monday night.

"When you get to the Districts, you can have one bad game and your done," warned Burton. "The regular season is a marathon and the tournament is a sprint. A lot of teams here can put together one good week and can win it. And, I think Marlette has an edge on their home court."

Brown City, though, has a talent edge on most everyone else in the District with the trio of senior Donovan Ogboh and juniors AJ Burton and Jack McPhail. All three are explosive scorers, but all three do plenty more on the court. Springy forward Jon Muxlow and guards Ed Rayba and Troy Mizer add to the mix.

The host Raiders (7-11), to the bewilderment of Coach Chris Storm, have been on a roller-coaster ride for two seasons. They have played very well at times and less than good at others.

However, Storm is certainly a believer in the possible after last year.

"Anything can happen in this tournament," said Storm. "The way we played in the second half (last Friday), I would like our chances against anybody." Marlette came back from 21 points down before falling by three points to Harbor Beach last Friday night.

"For us, though, it's just a matter of not having to get out of such a big hole. We don't want to have to do that against Brown City."

Senior Austin Comment has played well at all phases of the game this season for Marlette. He has had some nice help from senior point guard David Bliss in recent weeks. The ‘X' factor, on a height-deprived squad, is senior wing Jordan Barrons. A streak shooter, Barrons lit it up in the second half with seven triples in a recent victory at Sandusky.

The Redskins of Sandusky (9-9) are an intriguing team that wants to repeat their recent tournament history. The regular seasons have been somewhat disappointing for Coach Kurt Long and his 'Skins. However, they responded for back-to-back District titles, including last year with a win over Marlette. Sandusky faces Burton Bentley in the first of he two opening round contests next Monday.

This year, the Redskins have lost several tight games to good teams. Can they reverse that for another District crown?

"We can play with anybody for two or three quarters, but we need to make it four quarters," expressed Long. "Hopefully, we can bring it up another level again."

The Redskins are led out front by senior point guard Derek Neumayer. However, another five or six players have shared the spotlight, including 6'5" center Matt Grabitz.

Class D at Peck

Could rivals Peck and CPS meet for a third time this season, this time in the District finals? The brackets says it's possible. The host Pirates, however, have a bumpier road there.

Peck (15-3) faces a Deckerville team that has just won two games all season in the first round Monday evening. The Eagles (2-14) are stepping down into the ‘D' tournament after competing in a solid Class C conference like the GTC East.

"They are a lot better than their record says. They play in a tough conference," Garnett Kohler, Peck, coach, was quick to note. "They'll be coming into this District excited and ready to go."

The winner of that game then meets a dangerous Cardinal Mooney team. The Cardinals have just five wins, but play in a Division of the Detroit Catholic League. Talented post player Justin Distelrath leads Mooney in scoring.

"Distelrath probably averages 17-18 points and 10-12 rebounds a game," noted Kohler. "It'll be tough to stop him, plus, I guess they have a good point guard."

The Pirates have a variety of weapons in their arsenal, but it starts up front with senior guard Michael Mann. They have some size in the middle with 6'5" Bryan Carrier, and scoring options at the forwards in Billy Burns and Zac Overstreet (6'4"). Coach Kohler also easily goes 8-9 deep.

Steve Keinath, first-year coach for Deckerville, believes his team can be dangerous in this District.

"We could be, if we come out and play as a team.. We'll need five guys on the floor playing hard all the time."

Senior Sean Hornby (6'5") is capable of a big night any time for the Eagles. Sophomores Cody Hoff and Josh Fritch have each had shining moments this winter. Junior Ethyan Kramer has been their most consistent scorer.

The CPS Tigers (13-4), undersized against most teams all season, face an under-manned New Life Christian team in the other first round contest. NCTL rival Kingston (8-9) would be waiting in the semifinals on Wednesday.

"It's going to be a tough district," offered Jeremy Macejewski, CPS coach. "Peck's playing at home, and if they get on a roll, they'll be tough to stop. Mooney played up a division in the Catholic League. And, Deckerville plays in a tough league."

Height, or lack of, has hindered the scrappy Tigers, particularly in three of their losses- two to Peck and one to Harbor Beach in a holiday tournament.

"We have size problems, but we just have to keep on competing and playing our style of game," added Macejewski. His Tigers do have quickness and they will apply lots of defensive pressure. It is something that has worked in nearly every victory this season.

Senior Justin Taylor, a 5'9" guard, is one of sparkplugs for the Tigers. One question mark for Macejewski and his Tigers will be the availability of senior point guard Josh Behnke, who had been playing well in the second half of the season. Behnke suffered a severe ankle sprain against Peck on Feb. 12 and is questionable for the Districts.