It’s a tired old cliché, but phrases generally aren’t repeated often enough to become tired old clichés unless they’re true.

Defense wins championships.

Take a look at the Southeastern Conference boys basketball standings for proof. Both Red Division-leading Huron (10-3, 6-1) and White Division-leading Ypsilanti (10-1, 6-0) are steadfast in their approach that their success begins on the defensive end.

Of course, most coaches in the area stress defense. Huron’s Waleed Samaha and Ypsilanti’s Steve Brooks eat, drink and breathe it.

For Huron, it’s a full-court trapping system that forced an astonishing 41 turnovers in a win over Lincoln on Tuesday. For Ypsilanti, it’s an aggressive man-to-man defense that has recently rendered well-coached offenses at Chelsea and Pioneer ineffective for long stretches.

Now if only I could figure out a way to incorporate more defense into these high school basketball predictions, maybe my winning percentage would be as high as those of the River Rats and Phoenix.

Let’s give it another try with the following highlight games from the Friday night schedule. You can play along by selecting your winners in the polls below.

BOYS GAMES

Pioneer at Saline: This will be the Hornets’ first home Friday night game, which should mean a hyped-up student section waiting for the Pioneers. More intimidating may be Saline freshman point guard, who has exploded for 49 points over the last two games. But Pioneer should have the depth and firepower to overcome both. Pioneer, 55-49

Chelsea at Dexter: With Ypsilanti threatening to run away with the SEC White title in its first season, the winner of this game becomes its closest competition with a 5-3 record in league play. Chelsea, 58-53

Lincoln at Ypsilanti: And, of course, just how close a 5-3 record gets you to Ypsilanti depends on whether its cross-town rival can knock hand the Phoenix their first league loss. Ypsilanti, 63-57

Willow Run at Melvindale ABT: After being forced to abandon its Class C state championship last season for using an ineligible player, No. 1-ranked Melvindale ABT seems to be on the fast track back to the Breslin Center. Melvindale ABT, 75-62

Milan at Flat Rock: The Big Reds must avoid a let-down after a loss in Tuesday’s first-place showdown at New Boston Huron. Flat Rock (3-8, 2-4 Huron League) should be the perfect opponent to avoid that against. Milan, 57-48

GIRLS GAMES Father Gabriel Richard at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep: In a key Catholic High School West Division matchup, Notre Dame Prep will try to avenge an eight-point loss in Ann Arbor on Jan. 12. Gabriel Richard, 47-44

Saline at Pioneer: The Hornets have come frustratingly close to upsetting SEC division leaders Huron and Adrian over their past two games. Will they finally break through? Pioneer, 52-46

Chelsea at Dexter: In their first meeting, these teams combined for four fewer points (Dexter won, 29-27) than the schools’ football teams (Chelsea won, 46-14) did this fall. I’m anticipating more points, and another Dexter win. Dexter, 45-39

Ypsilanti at Lincoln: The Railsplitters are still looking for their first SEC win. They’ll need to find a 30-point swing for it to come against Ypsilanti, which won 57-28 in December. Ypsilanti, 54-36

Season: 29-14 (.674). Last week: 7-2 (.778). Best pick: Chelsea 58, Ypsilanti 49 (Chelsea girls won, 58-41). Worst pick: Clinton 97, Whitmore Lake 92 (Whitmore Lake boys won, 85-77).

READERS' PREDICTIONS

BOYS GAMES

GIRLS GAMES