Photo by David Schreiber Warren Fitzgerald senior Tony Oglesby goes up for a dunk during a recent game while senior teammate Denzel Raines looks on. The boys basketball state tournament tips off March 8 with the district round.

By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

The boys basketball postseason tournament is around the corner, and the local squads are gearing up for what should be some tough competition.

The playoffs open with the district round on March 8. Each local district’s semifinal round will take place March 10; the finals are scheduled for 7 p.m. March 12, unless noted. Every game will be played at the host schools.

Warren Fitzgerald and Center Line High have been moved into the Class A bracket, squaring off against bigger schools than in recent years when they played in Class B.

Fittingly enough, the squads’ welcoming committee is headed by talented district host Detroit Mumford and includes the Class A defending state champion — Detroit Pershing.

But that doesn’t mean the Spartans and Panthers are ready to fold.

“You’ve got to play the cards your dealt … we’ll deal with it,” Fitzgerald coach Joe Kopicki said.

Tough competition in district play, regardless of what level they’re in, is nothing new to the Spartans, who’ve also battled through a fierce title race in the Macomb Area Conference Blue Division.

“We’d prefer to play the tough competition. It’s more fun,” Kopicki said.

Fitzgerald first has to worry about it’s first-round opponent, Hazel Park High. The squads are scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. on the opening day of the tourney.

“If we don’t get by them, it’s immaterial anyway,” Kopicki said referring to the rest of the district. “(Hazel Park) scores points in bunches and plays with a lot of energy. We’re going to have to match their energy. They’ve got a nice team, but if we play our A game, we’ll see what happens.”

The winner advances to play University of Detroit Jesuit in a 4 p.m. semifinal.

Center Line, which drew a first-round bye, plays the winner of Pershing and Mumford in a 6 p.m. semifinal. The district final is at 5 p.m. March 12.

The rest of the local Class A squads will compete in a district hosted by Fraser High.
Warren De La Salle and Warren Mott kick things off at Fraser with a 5:30 p.m. opening-round contest. Warren Woods Tower awaits the winner in a 5:30 p.m. semifinal.

The other side of the district draw features Warren Cousino playing the host Ramblers in a 7:30 p.m. first-round game. Roseville High plays the winner of that contest in a 7:30 p.m. semifinal.

“The competition is going to be fierce come March,” Cousino coach Craig Miller said. “We cannot afford to come out flat.”

Warren Lincoln, meanwhile, remained in Class B and plays in the Highland Park Community High district. The Abes drew a first-round bye and play the winner of Hamtramck High and Highland Park in a 7 p.m. semifinal. St. Clair Shores South Lake, Clinton Township Clintondale and Detroit Crockett make up the rest of the district teams.

Warren Michigan Collegiate also drew a bye in Class C and plays the winner of Grosse Pointe University Liggett and Hamtramck Frontier International Academy in a 5:30 p.m. semifinal at host Harper Woods Chandler Park Academy. Harper Woods High and Detroit City round out the group.

In Class D, Warren Macomb Christian faces district host Marine City Cardinal Mooney at 7:30 p.m. in an opening-round game. The winner advances to take on Sterling Heights Parkway Christian in a 7:30 p.m. semifinal. Warren Conner Creek West also plays in that district, meeting the winner of New Haven Merritt Academy and Eastpointe Eaton Academy in a 6 p.m. semifinal.

Check out our Web site at www.candgnews.com and click on the Sports link for updates and coverage throughout the playoffs.

You can reach Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1040.