2009 Team State Championships Preview
MHSAA Dual State Championships
Kellogg Center - Battle Creek, MI
March 6-7, 2009
DIVISION 4
---Quarterfinals---
#1 Hesperia vs New Lothrop
New Lothrop made it happen by getting here, however, this Hesperia team should be far too much for NL to hang. New Lothrop will win some weights, but the score should be lopsided here.
Our Pick: Hesperia +28
#4 Manchester vs Watervliet
We don't really have much on Watervliet except for that they have 4 state qualifers. Manchester is a strong D4 team that is no stranger to Battle Creek and they may overwhelm Watervliet, but who knows anything can happen at this point. I dont see Watervliet scoring over 15 points.
Our Pick: Manchester +40
#3 Iron Mountain vs Dansville
This is the quarterfinal match to watch in D4 - two undefeated teams going at it in the first round. Both teams come in with something to prove - Dansville has to feel slighted by not getting seeded and Iron Mountain is wrestling for the pride and respect of the entire upper penisula. Iron Mountain qualified 12, count them, 12 wrestlers for the state tournament and actually out-performed Hesperia at their Individual Regional. Dansville is no slouch either with 8 qualifiers and a team packed with seniors ready to step up. The Dansville lightweights should beat up Iron Mountain and then they will rely on Cook, Trim, and the upperweights to bring it home. A couple possible toss up weights to look at are 130, 140, 215, and 285. 130 Carr vs Mullholland or VanDuine could be a good one. 171 and 189 could both be good as well with Cook vs Romagnoli and Trim vs Tippett. On paper, I think Dansville should get 7 wins for sure, and then if they can squeak out one or more of the toss up matches they should seal it.
Our Pick: Dansvllle +8
#2 Hudson vs Bronson
Both of these teams are deep, just look at all their state qualifiers. Hudson fills in around their studs better then Bronson, and for the most part their studs are better then Bronson's, which is why I don't see Bronson posing a serious threat. Bronson is not very good down low, however, from about 130 on up they are a very solid team and they should pick up some big wins against Hudson in the middle weights from 140 through 171. If they can win a couple toss ups I can see Bronson winning 6 matches in this dual, but probably no more then that. Key weights that could be swing matches are 130 - Lucas (B) vs Benschooter (H); 152 - Weaver (B) vs Walworth (H); 189 - Hyaska (B) vs Elliot (H); 215 - Severn (B) vs Smith (H).
Our Pick: Hudson +12
--Semifinals--
#1 Hesperia vs #4 Manchester
Hesperia's depth and talent throughout their lineup is amazing and really somewhat unprecedented in Division 4. The only team that appears to be capable of hanging with them is Hudson. I wouldn't expect to see a real barn burner here, although Manchester should win 4, maybe 5 matches and put up a good fight.
Our Pick: Hesperia +20
#2 Hudson vs Dansville
If Dansville gets past Iron Mountain they should feel good about themselves and hopefully soak up Friday night because waiting for them Saturday morning will be a tough Hudson team. On paper I only see Dansville capable of winning 5, maybe 6 matches if things go their way. Therefore, expect to see Hudson cruise here.
Our Pick: Hudson +1
--Finals--
#1 Hesperia vs #2 Hudson
This is the Division 4 dual that everyone has been waiting all year for and it
should be a good one. Both of these teams are very talented and deep for
being such small schools. A Hudson win would likely be classified as an
upset, but I don't know if it is really that unlikely. These guys seem pretty
evenly matched.
The lower weights are pretty even here and a lot of these weights are toss
ups. 103 could go either way, 112 Hudson should win, then 119 through 130
are all winnable matches from both sides. 135 Marry should win (may have
to win the flip to get him off Martin if he cuts down).
From 140 on the dual will be a roller coaster as Hesperia will be flying high
from 140 through 160 with BIG wins, then from 189 up Hudson's big boys
should return the favor. Therefore, the lower weights should be the deciding
factor.
I say Hesperia's locked up 140, 145, 152, and 160 (with bonus points)
Hudson should have no trouble with 112, 135, 189, 215, 285 (also bonus points)
So Hesperia - 4 for sure wins, Hudson - 5. Now with the toss ups you have:
103 - advantage Hesperia
119 - advantage Hesperia (returning state champ Zeerip over either Vanderpool or Hilyard
125 - Who knows - Hilyard/Vanderpool vs Bosma should be a good one, must win for Hudson
130 - advantage Hesperia
171 - ?? Hesperia may bump Zeerip/Yates to fill this gap
Therefore, Hudson will need 2 or 3 big minor upset type wins to pull this off. There best chances are probably Mattison beating Rosencrans and somebody beating Bosma. We will see, maybe Hudson has some tricks up their sleeves, but I am going with Hesperia.
Our Pick: Hesperia +3
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