Photo by Donna Agusti Eastpointe East Detroit junior Ethan Blackwell (1) dribbles the ball while junior teammate Johnnie Eills (2) looks on during a game earlier this season. 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 — and expecting the unexpected.

“(The state tournament) is a crazy time of year where anything can happen,” Roseville High coach Jeff Verkeyn said.

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. Every game will be played at the host schools.

Roseville plays in a Class A district at Fraser High. The Panthers (5-6 Macomb Area Conference White Division, 9-8 overall, at press time) received a first-round bye and plays the winner of the Warren Cousino (8-3 MAC White, 12-5) and Fraser game (3-8 MAC Blue, 4-14) in a 7:30 p.m. semifinal.

Warren De La Salle, Warren Mott and Warren Woods Tower make up the rest of the district. Most of those teams were fighting for high finishes in their respective divisions at press time.

“Having a lot of good teams in our district will make things that much more difficult for everyone, but that much more rewarding for the winner,” Verkeyn said.

But having the most star talent might not be enough to make it out of the group, according to the coach.

“The playoffs create a lot of energy and emotion, and players handle this differently,” Verkeyn said. “I think you need a role player to step up and make some plays, but your best players must be at their best when it is crunch time. As a team, the best way to give yourself a chance to win a game any time of the year is to play good defense, rebound and take care of the ball.”

Eastpointe East Detroit, meanwhile, will also have its hands full in a Class A district at Grosse Pointe North.

The Shamrocks (9-2 MAC Blue, 14-3) face off against St. Clair Shores Lake Shore (5-8 MAC Silver, 9-9) at 5 p.m. in an opening-round game. The winner plays St. Clair Shores Lakeview (4-8 MAC Silver, 5-12) in a 5 p.m. semifinal. North, Grosse Pointe South and Detroit Finney make up the remainder of the group.

In Class D, Eastpointe Eaton Academy takes on New Haven Merritt Academy at 6 p.m. in an opening-round game in a district hosted by Marine City Cardinal Mooney. The winner plays Warren Conner Creek West in a 6 p.m. semifinal. Warren Macomb Christian, Cardinal Mooney and Sterling Heights Parkway Christian round out the group.

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.