By John Raffel
MaxPreps.com
The postseason is underway for Michigan's boys basketball teams with schools like defending Class C state champion Bath hoping to go for another state crown.
The Lansing-area school completed its 20-game schedule late last week with an 18-2 record.
"It's hard to say right now what our chances would be in the postseason tournament," Bath head coach Jeff Wonch said. "We've been up and down."
Bath, playing in the 10-team Central Michigan Athletic Conference, had an 18-game league schedule this season. It tied with Carson City-Crystal at 17-1 for the league title.
"The team is playing with as much chemistry as any team I've had," Wonch said.
Eli Redman is leading Bath with 20 points a game.
"We're playing well, which is good for this time of year," Wonch said. "But you need a little bit of luck if you want to go all the way. I can't predict how we'll do."
More Boys Basketball
Northern Michigan usually has boys basketball powers that threaten to contend for titles. This year, that batch of teams inclues Charlevoix, at 18-2.
"We lost in the state semifinals last year," Charlevoix Coach Keith Haske said. "We thought we had a chance to be just as good. Our depth has been good for us. We play 10 to 12 players every night. A lot of kids have contributed for us."
Key players for Charlevoix include Nate LaBlanc, averaging 15.5 points a game and Justin Frisbie and Corey Gotshall, each with 13 points a game.
Girls Basketball
It's regional championship week for Michigan's girls basketball teams, with the state finals set for March 7-8 at Eastern Michigan University.
Teams in Class B hoping to go for a state title include Portland, which enters the regionals this week with a 23-0 record. Lindsey Pettit has led Portland throughout the season with 12 points per game, while Samantha Feldpausch is averaging six rebounds a game.
"We felt we were going to do well coming into the season," said Portland Coach Ray Kimball, whose girls basketball program has never before enjoyed this type of undefeated success.
"But we didn't know if we'd do as well as last year because we bumped up our schedule. We played some quality schools in the Lansing area.
"We've got seven seniors who were a part of our state quarterfinal team last season. That veteran leadership has probably been our strength."
Hockey
The playoffs for Michigan's hockey championships begin this week with the state champions being determined on March 9. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood has won state titles in 2007, 2006, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1997, 1991, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1983 and 1979.
But coach Andy Weidenbach is hoping his team can add 2008 to its championship banner. Cranbrook-Kingswood enters the post season with an 18-5 record.
"We've exceeded all of our expectations," Weidenbach said. "We've beaten some real good teams like Birmingham Brother Rice and Grosse Pointe North, plus Detroit Catholic Central."
The bounces have gone Cranbrook-Kingswood's way in key fashion.
"We've had a goalie who has come up for us with key saves at key times," Weidenbach said. "But in reality, we've played five overtime games and have been involved in 12 one-goal games. We could be just as easily 5-18 rather than 18-5."
Jake Friedman, has been leading Cranbrook-Kingswood in scoring with 17 goals and 16 assists. Peter Baumhart, a senior goalie, has a 14-3 record in the net.
"Anything can happen in a single-game elimination playoff," Weidenbach said. "If we stay healthy, anything can happen."