Five county basketball teams playing in regional tournaments tonight
The boys basketball teams at Huron and Ypsilanti high schools will benefit from short commutes and rallying local fan interest at their respective MHSAA regional tournaments, which begin tonight.
Huron plays Detroit Catholic Central at 7:15 p.m. at Pioneer High School while Ypsilanti will take on Taylor Kennedy at 7:30 p.m. at Saline High School.
The River Rats and Phoenix are two of five Washtenaw County teams still standing in the playoffs. Check out a breakdown of each remaining team's regional bracket after the jump.
CLASS A
What: Class A Regional No. 6
Where: Pioneer High School
Today: Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (13-9) vs. Hartland (12-11), 5:30 p.m.; Huron (21-1) vs. Detroit Catholic Central, 7:15 p.m.
Wednesday: Final , 7 p.m.
Breakdown: If this were football season, this regional would be a gauntlet. Well…it’s not, and this side of the bracket probably has the easiest path to the Breslin Center, if such a thing exists. Huron is the hands down favorite and will be expected to win every game from here -- including in the quarterfinal round -- until the weekend of the state championships at the Breslin Center, March 24-26. That’s the kind of expectations a No. 2 state ranking and a 21-1 record bring, but with the way the River Rats have been playing during their 19-game winning streak, that sort of pressure doesn’t seem to bother them. The only thing Huron should have to worry about here is staying healthy against some very large and physical football players who double as basketball players in the winter.
What: Class A Regional No. 5
Where: Saline High School
Today: Romulus (21-1) vs. Lincoln Park (19-4), 6 p.m.; Ypsilanti (22-1) vs. Taylor Kennedy, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Final, 7 p.m.
Breakdown: If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Ypsilanti will get that opportunity should the Phoenix and No. 1-ranked Romulus advance to Wednesday’s final. Romulus is the only team to take down Huron this season and occupies the states’ top ranking for a reason. But last year's Eagles were upset in a district tournament despite being similarly highly touted. Anything is possible, but more than likely, Romulus is on its way to its third final four appearance in four years.
CLASS B
What: Class B Regional No. 10
Where: Fowlerville High School

Today: Williamston (20-2) vs. Lansing Sexton (21-2), 5 p.m.; Olivet (16-7) vs. Father Gabriel Richard (7-13), 7 p.m.

Wednesday: Final, 7 p.m.
Breakdown: This is Lansing Sexton’s region, the rest of the teams are just renting the space. Last year’s Class B runner-up, Sexton has run through teams all year despite its best player, Michigan State-bound guard Denzel Valentine, wearing a hand cast on the sidelines for much of the year. The cast is no more, which will likely be the fate of the rest of the teams in this region very soon. Gabriel Richard will get a chance to avenge its loss to Olivet in this year's Division 5 football quarterfinals.
CLASS C
What: Class C Regional No. 18
Where: Hudson High School

Monday: Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (16-7) vs. Manchester (9-14), 6 p.m.; Hillsdale (17-6) vs. Addison (10-13), 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Final, 7 p.m.
Breakdown: There’s no real juggernaut in this group, but Monroe St. Mary is definitely a favorite. Local fans may remember the Huron League champion Falcons from its season split with Milan in conference play. Even getting to this point is a great accomplishment for Manchester, which struggled all year and was considered, at best, the third best team in its district behind Napoleon and Clinton.
CLASS D
What: Class D Regional No. 26
Where:
 Hillsdale Academy

Monday: Central Academy (16-3) vs. Allen Park Inter-City Baptist (16-7) 6 p.m.; Hillsdale Academy (15-8) vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian (14-8) 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday: Final, 7 p.m.
Breakdown: Absent a common opponent, it’s tough to tell how Central Academy matches up with Allen Park Inter-City Baptist. No matter what, Central Academy will need a huge game out of Sami Shalabi to be successful. Lenawee Christian -- winners over Class A Skyline earlier in the year -- look to be the class of this region.
Pete Cunningham covers sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.