Preview And Players To Watch - District 2
I'm looking forward to seeing how District 2 plays out next week. There are excellent programs, players and teams getting ready to square off in this bracket. We're going to take a look at the games and give you a prediction and some players to watch in the district.
1ST ROUND:
Cadillac vs. Bay City Western
This is a tough game to decipher right at the beginning of the bracket. They met head to head just last night with Bay City Western coming out ahead by a score of 37-26. This could be a highly competitive game with some talented guards and some intriguing young talent.
Predition - Bay City Western
SEMIFINALS:
Midland vs. Bay City Western
Midland was a quick out last year with a first round loss to Cadillac. Seems like ages ago doesn't it? The Chemics are absolutely loaded with high level young talent. They defeated Bay City Western 51-31 in late February.
Prediction - Midland
Midland Dow vs. Mount Pleasant
Dow wants to defend their title, but they'll have to get past a feisty Mount Pleasant squad. Dow enters the game with a 14-8 mark and Mount Pleasant carries a 15=6 record. These 2 teams met in the regular season, where Dow won by a score of 71-47. We often here the guard play leads to titles, and Mount Pleasant faces the task of guarding some good ones.
Prediction - Midland Dow
CHAMPIONSHIP:
Midland vs. Midland Dow
This would have the potential to be an epic matchup. Instant classic? The defending champs against the new powerhouse program. There's all sorts of ways to put it, but let's just say it'd be fun to watch. And speaking of watching, there would be a lot of talent on the floor in this game and college coaches may be well advised to tune in. Midland and Dow played twice in this season with the Chemics winning both, the first by 3 and the second by 15.
Prediction - Midland
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Alexis Schlatter (2025, F, Bay City Western)
With solid guards matching up, Schlatter could be the difference maker at the forward. She can provide offense with her jumper and even has the ability to step into the shot off the bounce. Schlatter will be highly influential on D as well. She has a nose for the ball and can use her length to disrupt a ball handler and step in passing lanes.
Kaleigh Swiger (2025, G, Cadillac)
Swiger could be that seasoned veteran that leads her team to a playoff victory. She's a posed guard that I've seen first hand play big in big venues. Here's a trip on the way back train - Pool All Star at the Windy City Classic ring a bell? Swiger has a solid jumper from beyond the arc, but can get crafty with creating looks from the mid range.
Payton Palmer (2025, G, Midland)
I could have picked almost anyone on the team, they've all played well. I'll be an assistant coaches puppy can hoop. That's how deep the talent seems. Like with Swiger above, Palmer can be that veteran presence that title teams are going to need in the postseason. First of all, the The Trine commit can shoot the rock. But over the last year or 2 she's really improved as a ball handler and distributer.
Jordyn Egger (2025, G, Mount Pleasant)
I've always been a huge fan of Egger's game. She's an efficient scorer, getting her buckets but not having to overly ball dominant to do so. Egger is just so steady with such a well rounded game. She can score, distribute and handle out of the backcourt. Egger has a very strong game between the ears and that can win playoff games.
Dalton DeBoer (2025, G, Midland Dow)
I have a little bit of tennis experience myself, so much respect to DeBoer. Let's face it, she's one of the athletes that's just good at sports. Basketball wise, there aren't many players that can shoot the ball the way that she does. Just last night she scored 21 points on 7-11 shooting beyond the arc. That right there is just game changing.