MLive predicts boys high school basketball state champs, hypothetical or not

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said during a radio interview Friday that it’s “very unlikely” for students to return to school this year as the country and world are in the grips of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Soon after Whitmer’s comments Friday, Michigan High School Athletic Association spokesperson John Johnson told MLive that it is too early to say whether or not sports would resume in the state if schools do not re-open.

Today was supposed to be the big day: The boys basketball state finals at the Breslin Center, but the sports world is on hold. That’s a bummer. But if it’s any consolation, fans may order instant downloads of the 2019 Michigan boys basketball state finals from the MHSAA.TV website.

Additionally, Fox Sports Detroit will be re-airing the 2019 games today with the first game starting at 10 a.m. and final contest beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Whether the state finals are able to be played out down the road, or if they’re not, MLive’s high school sports reporters have their opinions on how things could/could’ve played out.

Here are our predictions for the 2020 boys basketball state championships:

DIVISION 1

The MLive “experts” really liked the bottom half of the bracket in Division 1, as tough as it looks. In fact, all nine reporters believe the state champion would come from that side of the bracket with Orchard Lake St. Mary’s getting the most love and reigning state champion Ypsilanti Lincoln receiving a few nods. There were a lot of believers in Muskegon for the top half of the bracket.

Hugh Bernreuter

Muskegon vs. Clarkston

Winner: Clarkston

Clarkston goes through a Division 1 gauntlet to get to the final, beating River Rouge, Orchard Lake St. Mary and Mount Pleasant. River Rouge earns an emotional win over defending champion Ypsilanti Lincoln before falling to Clarkston. Muskegon follows Jarvis Walker to a win over Macomb Dakota and Ryan Rollins in the semifinals, but Muskegon is no match for Clarkston’s duo of 7-1 senior Matt Nicholson and sophomore guard Fletcher Loyer.

***

Scott DeCamp

Muskegon vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Winner: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Muskegon has battled some inconsistency at times, but when the Big Reds got rolling – especially their one-two backcourt punch of Jarvis Walker II (Purdue-Fort Wayne) and Vern Nash III (Saginaw Valley State) – they’re as good as anybody in Michigan. OLSM, meanwhile, boasts the highest Michigan Power Ratings (MPR) in the state and it’s not even close. The Eaglets have their own dynamite duo in Wisconsin signee Lorne Bowman and Julian Roper.

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Steve Kaminski

Winner: Ypsilanti Lincoln

Ypsilanti Lincoln is the defending state champion and has the nation’s top player in sophomore Emoni Bates. If they ever do fire this season back up, the Railsplitters will go all the way.

***

Patrick Nothaft

Muskegon vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Winner: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

It's a shame the boys tournament halted when it did because the district semifinals featured several matchups between state title contenders, including Ann Arbor Huron against Ypsilanti Lincoln and River Rouge against Cass Tech. With wins over Clarkston, Grand Blanc, Hudsonville and Cass Tech, second-ranked Orchard Lake St. Mary's had a championship résumé a manageable path on an otherwise loaded side of the bracket.

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Jared Purcell

Muskegon vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Winner: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

This was so tough to figure out because of how wide open Division 1 appears to be. St. Mary's has been playing excellent basketball and has so many weapons. Mr. Basketball finalist Lorne Bowman, junior Julian Roper and sophomores Kareem Rozier and Jason Drake give St. Mary's excellent guard depth. I see St. Mary's beating Clarkston in the region finals, Grand Blanc in the quarterfinals and River Rouge in the semifinals. It would be a well-earned title for St. Mary's. Final score: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s 67, Muskegon 59

***

Brendan Savage

Muskegon vs. Ypsilanti Lincoln

Winner: Ypsilanti Lincoln

Muskegon and the sensational Cameron Martinez, winner of MLive’s football Player of the Year award the past two seasons, were denied a state football championship after reaching the Division 3 finals for the second straight year. So will things be different in basketball? Nope. Lincoln is not only the defending champion, it also has perhaps the best player in the country, some sophomore named Bates. As usual, he'll be the difference.

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Lee Thompson

Muskegon vs. Ypsilanti Lincoln

Winner: Ypsilanti Lincoln

It sure looks like Emoni Bates is on a mission this season. Good luck standing in the way of the sophomore sensation and Lincoln’s quest to defend its state title. The road isn’t easy. The only state-ranked team still remaining in the other half of the state tournament is No. 9 Muskegon.

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Josh VanDyke

Detroit U-D Jesuit vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Winner: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

The Eaglets have already beaten the Cubs twice this season and a third matchup to cap off the trilogy would be a fitting ending the season. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Lorne Bowman scored 28 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, to help the Eaglets fend off the Cubs the last time these two teams met and I think the Mr. Basketball finalist would have put on a show at the Breslin Center.

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Greg Wickliffe

Muskegon vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

Winner: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s has been as consistent as any team in Division 1 all season. Muskegon is certainly a worthy opponent, but St. Mary’s has just enough firepower led by Lorne Bowman to pull out the victory.

DIVISION 2

(Warning: Spoilers.) It’s a clean sweep for Benton Harbor to once again capture the Division 2 state championship, at least according to the nine MLive “experts” weighing in here. Talk about taking the drama out of this thing. Goodrich also received a ton of love for finding its way to the Breslin and battling Benton Harbor in the finals.

Hugh Bernreuter

Benton Harbor vs. Goodrich

Winner: Benton Harbor

Goodrich would have won a state title if it weren’t for Scooby and those pesky kids. Benton Harbor faces a treacherous trip to the state final, but Scooby Johnson caps a memorable Mr. Basketball season with wins over Otsego, Grand Rapids Christian and Williamston before knocking off a strong Goodrich team that relies on a pair of star juniors, Tyson Davis and Aidan Rubin. Goodrich falls, but the Martians become early favorites entering the 2020-21 season.

***

Scott DeCamp

Benton Harbor vs. Ferndale

Winner: Benton Harbor

It would have been tough to deny Benton Harbor and Mr. Basketball winner Carlos “Scooby” Johnson in their pursuit of a second state title in three years. When the Tigers are dialed in, they have as much potential as anybody in the state regardless of division. Ferndale was an interesting team to track. Don’t be fooled by the Eagles’ nine losses – every one of them came against top-notch competition, including one-point defeats vs. Muskegon and North Farmington.

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Steve Kaminski

Winner: Benton Harbor

It’s hard to pick against Benton Harbor and Mr. Basketball Scooby Johnson. The Tigers have had impressive wins throughout the season, beating the likes of Ypsilanti Lincoln, Wyoming and Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Benton Harbor will win its second title in three years.

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Patrick Nothaft

Benton Harbor vs. Goodrich

Winner: Benton Harbor

The top half of the Division 2 bracket was absolutely loaded with state-ranked teams, including Benton Harbor (No. 1), Grand Rapids Catholic Central (3), Grand Rapids Christian (5), Williamson (5) and Otsego (8), so whichever team emerged would have completed a gauntlet run to the state championship game. With wins over Ypsilanti Lincoln, Grand Rapids Catholic Central and Wyoming, Benton Harbor had the look of a team ready to hoist its second state title in three years.

***

Jared Purcell

Benton Harbor vs. Goodrich

Winner: Benton Harbor

It's hard to bet against Benton Harbor and its Mr. Basketball winner, Scooby Johnson. There might not be a better battle-tested team in Division 2. The Tigers beat Otsego in the region finals, Grand Rapids Christian in the quarterfinals and Detroit Douglass in the semifinals. Final score: Benton Harbor 69, Goodrich 60

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Brendan Savage

Benton Harbor vs. Goodrich

Winner: Benton Harbor

OK, call me a homer for picking Goodrich to reach the finals. (Go ahead, I’ll wait …) But don’t underestimate the Martians. They might be the best team you’ve never heard much about. They had a 21-2 record when play was suspended with the only loss being to Division 1 Carman-Ainsworth and they’re led by two sensational juniors, Tyson Davis and Aidan Rubio. That said, this is Benton Harbor’s year. “Scooby” Johnson won the Mr. Basketball Award and would have led the Tiger to a state title, completing a dream season.

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Lee Thompson

Benton Harbor vs. Croswell-Lexington

Winner: Benton Harbor

It’s a tale of two cities in the final. Benton Harbor is an industrial town in southwest Michigan with a rich basketball tradition. Croswell-Lexington is a rural, Thumb-area community with a program that has never reached the quarterfinals. It’s a fantastic finals story, starring Scooby Johnson and his No. 1-ranked Tigers.

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Josh VanDyke

Benton Harbor vs. Goodrich

Winner: Benton Harbor

The Tigers have plenty of skill, depth and experience to repeat as Division 2 state champions and the continually evolving game of Carlos “Scooby” Johnson is a big reason why. The 2020 Mr. Basketball award winner makes Benton Harbor a difficult team to defend, and I think they would have successfully defended their title in 2020.

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Greg Wickliffe

Benton Harbor vs. Bridgeport

Winner: Benton Harbor

Benton Harbor has been through the fire and even looked superior against some of the best Division 1 teams in the state. With Mr. Basketball Scooby Johnson leading the way, the Tigers bring home their second title in three years.

DIVISION 3

Division 3 boys basketball final: Pewamo-Westphalia vs Iron Mountain

Pewamo-Westphalia's Collin Trierweiler (11) celebrates the win during the MHSAA Division 3 boys basketball championship game at the Breslin Center at Michigan State University on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Pewamo-Westphalia won the game 53-52 over Iron Mountain. J. Scott Park | MLive.com

It wasn’t unanimous like Benton Harbor in Division 2, but the MLive “experts” really like Flint Beecher and why wouldn’t they? The Bucs just might be the best team in the state regardless of division. A couple of MLive reporters are pulling for an Iron Mountain vs. Pewamo-Westphalia state finals rematch. After last year’s ending, why wouldn’t they?

Hugh Bernreuter

Flint Beecher vs. Hanover-Horton

Winner: Flint Beecher

The championship game is probably in the semifinal when Jalen Terry and Earnest Sanders lead Beecher to an overtime win against an Iron Mountain team that suffers a second consecutive Breslin Center heartbreak despite incredible efforts from Foster Wonders and Marcus Johnson. Hanover-Horton battles past Pewamo-Westphalia in the semifinal, but Luc Laketa and the Comets can’t match up with Beecher’s experience and athleticism in the final.

***

Scott DeCamp

Flint Beecher vs. Schoolcraft

Winner: Flint Beecher

Have to be honest: Would have loved a state-finals rematch between Iron Mountain and Pewamo-Westphalia, just to see what Foster Wonders and Marcus Johnson could have done in their shot at redemption after last year’s gut-wrenching finish. Schoolcraft had one of those special teams again, but Beecher has the one-two punch of Jalen Terry and Earnest Sanders plus a strong supporting cast.

***

Steve Kaminski

Winner: Flint Beecher

Flint Beecher has been ranked No. 1 all season, and the only thing that can stop them now is if the season doesn’t resume. Mr. Basketball finalist Jalen Terry leads Beecher back to the top.

***

Patrick Nothaft

Flint Beecher vs. Schoolcraft

Winner: Flint Beecher

With four of its starters standing at least 6-foot-4, not many Division 3 teams could match Schoolcraft's size, but Flint Beecher had the athleticism to negate the Eagles height advantage, plus Mr. Basketball runner-up Jalen Terry to run the break. Among Beecher's wins this year were Benton Harbor, Orchard Lake St. Mary's and Flint Carman-Ainsworth, so the Bucs were fully capable of bringing home their sixth state title in nine years.

***

Jared Purcell

Flint Beecher vs. Pewamo-Westphalia

Winner: Flint Beecher

Beecher has so many weapons and has beaten some of the best teams in the Divisions above them. Jalen Terry is such a special player and he is surrounded by great players in Earnest Sanders and Keyon Menifield. There is just too much firepower to beat this team. Beecher tops Hemlock in region finals, Detroit Edison in the quarterfinals and Iron Mountain in the semifinals. It's a heck of a gauntlet but it's one Beecher is built to handle. Final score: Flint Beecher 75, Pewamo-Westphalia 62

***

Brendan Savage

Flint Beecher vs. Pewamo-Westphalia

Winner: Flint Beecher

Pewamo-Westphalia is the defending champion and has one of the best all-around sports programs in Division 3. But this was supposed to be Beecher’s year. The Bucs featured two dynamic seniors, Oregon recruit Jalen Terry and future Kentucky wide receiver Earnest Sanders, who have a strong supporting cast. Terry and Sanders know what it takes to win a state title after playing for Beecher’s championship team in 2017 and Beecher also beat Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Benton Harbor this season.

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Lee Thompson

Iron Mountain vs. Pewamo-Westphalia

Winner: Iron Mountain

If there is anything right in this sports world, there will be a rematch of last year’s much-debated state title game. And it doesn’t even matter who wins, it would be nice just to give both teams a second go at it. To call it even, let’s say Iron Mountains wins this one and brings its first state title since 1928 back to the U.P.

***

Josh VanDyke

Flint Beecher vs. Hanover-Horton

Winner: Flint Beecher

The Bucs might be one of the deepest teams in the state, especially in the backcourt. Mr. Basketball finalist Jalen Terry has been sensational all season and if he’s fully recovered from an ankle injury that plagued him for parts of the season, I think Beecher will be tough to beat. Hanover-Horton has the balanced attack to give the Bucs problems, but a playmaker like Terry is difficult to keep in check for four quarters.

***

Greg Wickliffe

Flint Beecher vs. Hanover-Horton

Winner: Flint Beecher

Beecher has been one of the most consistent teams in the state regardless of division and is more than battle tested. With the tandem of Jalen Terry and Earnest Sanders leading the way, the Bucs would have just enough to give the Bucs their sixth state title in the past eight years.

DIVISION 4

Division 4 boys basketball final: Southfield Christian vs Frankfort

Southfield Christian's Da’Jion Humphrey (3) celebrates with fans during the MHSAA Division 4 boys basketball championship game at the Breslin Center at Michigan State University on Saturday, March 16, 2019. Southfield Christian won the game over Frankfort, 63-39.J. Scott Park | MLive.com

Southfield Christian would be the heaviest of the heavy state-title favorites at Breslin Center, regardless of division, and the MLive “experts” voiced that with their picks. All nine of them are firm believers in the Eagles and for good reason: They’ve cruised to state championships each of the last two seasons and would be going for their sixth title in nine years. Southfield Christian is a lot for any Division 4 team to handle.

Hugh Bernreuter

Southfield Christian vs. Dollar Bay

Winner: Southfield Christian

Yawn. Southfield Christian rides Da’Jion Humphrey to a third straight state title, beating Dollar Bay again at the Breslin. After falling the last two seasons in the semifinals to Southfield Christian, Dollar Bay falls into the other bracket, but it’s still not an easy trip, having to go into overtime to beat Hillsdale Academy. Southfield Christian pulls away in the second half of its semifinal over a surprise opponent, Saginaw Nouvel, which uses the experience of a tough regular-season schedule to upset Hale, Kingston and Gaylord St. Mary to reach the semifinal. In the final, Ashton Janke and Davin Hill keep Dollar Bay close for a half, but the duo of Humphrey and Noah Rheker are too much for Dollar Bay once again.

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Scott DeCamp

Southfield Christian vs. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian

Winner: Southfield Christian

Sophomore Brady Titus is a fun player to watch and Tri-unity has one of the best on the bench in coach Mark Keeler, but Southfield Christian is on another level compared to many teams in the state, not just in Division 4. Former Southfield Christian coach Josh Baker got a huge promotion, serving as an assistant at the University of Alabama, but the Eagles never skipped a beat under the guidance of Clennie Brundidge.

***

Steve Kaminski

Winner: Southfield Christian

Southfield Christian’s only loss in its past 10 games was by one point to Division 1’s No. 1 ranked River Rouge. I say the Eagles are ready for another deep postseason run. It’s Southfield with the three-peat.

***

Patrick Nothaft

Southfield Christian vs. Dollar Bay

Winner: Dollar Bay

The D4 title game would be a rematch of last year's state semifinal, but Dollar Bay would struggle to get revenge against a juggernaut Southfield Christian team looking for its third consecutive state title and featuring star seniors Da'Jion Humphrey, Noah Rheker and Rahmon Scruggs.

***

Jared Purcell

Southfield Christian vs. Dollar Bay

Winner: Southfield Christian

Da'Jion Humphrey and Noah Rheker might be the best duo in all of Division 4 and the high-scoring senior guards would have torn through the competition on the way to a third-straight state title. Christian beats Taylor Trillium Academy in region finals, Marine Cardinal Mooney in quarterfinals and Kingston in the semifinals. Final score: Southfield Christian 81, Dollar Bay 66

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Brendan Savage

Southfield Christian vs. Dollar Bay

Winner: Southfield Christian

Dollar Bay reaching the finals is just a hunch after the Blue Bolts put together a 19-2 record, although losing two of their final three regular-season games has to be a concern. But Southfield Christian is the defending champion and not your average Division 4 team. The Eagles had a 17-4 record but they played teams like Birmingham Brother Rice, Detroit Edison, Detroit Catholic Central and Detroit Country Day. Any more questions?

***

Lee Thompson

Southfield Christian vs. Hillsdale Academy

Winner: Southfield Christian

With five state titles in eight years, it’s hard to see past Southfield Christian in the D4 field. The Eagles appear to be revved up for another run, scoring 80 or more points four times in their past six games – hitting 100 in the district semifinal. Let’s throw a defensive-minded team at them. Hillsdale Academy has limited 14 opponents to fewer than 40 points this year. It allowed just 30 points in two district games combined. Sounds like a showdown.

***

Josh VanDyke

Southfield Christian vs. Wyoming Tri-unity Christian

Winner: Southfield Christian

Southfield Christian ended their regular season with a one-point loss to Division 1 foe River Rogue. The Eagles have been punching up all season with an extremely difficult schedule for a Division 4 school. I think Da’Jion Humphrey, Verion Patrick and company would take care of business in the Division 4 field and bring home another state title.

***

Greg Wickliffe

Southfield Christian vs. Dollar Bay

Winner: Southfield Christian

Southfield Christian cruised to the state championship last season and there doesn’t appear to be a team in Division 4 this year that would be able to keep them from a three-peat.

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Read more:

MLive predictions for girls high school basketball state finals

Presenting the 2019-20 MLive Dream Teams for boys basketball

10 unforgettable individual performances at the boys basketball state finals since 2000

20 awesome celebration photos from MHSAA basketball championship games

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan schools ‘very unlikely’ to re-open this year

Can sports continue if schools don’t re-open this year? MHSAA comments

Fox Sports Detroit hits 2019 replay button for basketball state finals

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