Buckley 21-5 vs. Southfield Christian 22-5
This was a long time in the making.
Both were sent home from Breslin last year by Powers North Central. The heavy lifting is done by three college-level upperclassmen from both sides. For Southfield Christian it’s all-time leading scorer 6-4 senior Bryce Washington, 2019 high-major recruit 6-4 Harlond Beverly and junior point guard Caleb Hunter. Together they score over 50 points per game. Buckley counters with three 1,000-point scorers who have led the Bears to consecutive championship game appearances. 6-4 senior Denver Cade is their all-time leading scorer, 6-4 senior Austin Harris loves shooting at Breslin in three games making 13-of-28 3s and Joey Weber a stout two-way point guard.
If the Big 3 are a push and the game is decided in the margins, off the ball and on second chances, the Eagles have more depth than Buckley. Junior guard Jon Sanders dscore 10 and make good decisions in the semifinals against Dollar Bay. As tempting as it is Sanders makes it hard to double off the all-staters because he’s the team’s top three-point shooter by percentage. Sophomore starter Da’jion Humphrey has the size and bounce to be a difficult matchup. Senior 6-5 senior Jacob Fergan comes off the bench to make defensive stops and blue-collar plays. For Buckley, brothers Brock and Ridge Beeman are guards capable of hitting shots who also started in the 2017 final. 6-6 senior Nick Kuhn gave the Bears crucial minutes against Hillsdale Academy in the semis, but the pace of this one doesn’t play to his strengths.
While Buckley is from Up North, its hoping for “downstate whistles” as these are AAU vets who prefer an aggressive game. Washington and Beverly are slashers who pile up points from the line so will be going at Cade and Harris trying to put them in foul trouble like happened in the semifinals.
This one will be worth checking out regardless the 10 a.m. start. These are veteran talented units that will put up and make entertaining and clutch shots. No nerves here but a lot of talent.
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