Play Along: Predicting some better high school basketball predictions

How bad of a week was it? Even some of the games that went in the “win” column should have had an asterisk. Like picking the Huron boys to edge Pioneer, 64-61. The River Rats’ win margin was only off by 24 points on that one.

So now the Pioneers and I have something in common. A desire to prove we’re better than last week indicated.

So, here we go. As always, you can play along by making your own predictions in the polls below.

BOYS GAMES Temperance Bedford at Pioneer: This one should be a good confidence builder as the Pioneers embark on a challenging three-games-in-five-days stretch against Ypsilanti, Saline and Dearborn Heights Robichaud. Pioneer, 60-45

Huron at Waubonsie Valley: What do I know about Waubonsie Valley? Well, it’s in Aurora, Ill. And its basketball team, nicknamed the Warriors, are 5-13. At least that’s what Google tells me. Of course, if the River Rats play like they did last Friday the opponent doesn’t matter much when predicting a winner. Huron, 68-48

Ypsilanti at Chelsea: When they’re good, the host Bulldogs have been very, very good. With Ypsilanti, there’s been no other side of that coin. The Phoenix have one loss on their record, and a respectable one at that: A road loss to state-ranked Saginaw Buena Vista on the afternoon after a convincing win over Southfield Lathrup and Iowa-bound Roy Marble Jr. Ypsilanti, 64-60

Adrian at Lincoln: The Railsplitters are hot, winning four of their last five by an average of 22.0 points. Adrian has lost three of four, but also beat Chelsea and took Dexter to overtime during that stretch. Lincoln, 59-51

Carleton Airport at Milan: How quickly things can change. Two years ago, the Milan boys and girls basketball programs combined for two wins in an entire season. Today, they’re both in first place with a combined 12-0 record in Huron League play. Milan, 56-49

Whitmore Lake at Clinton: Whitmore Lake gets a shot at reeling in Tri-County Conference-leading Clinton, which has already built a two-game lead over the Trojans and Adrian Madison midway through the league schedule. Clinton, 97-92

GIRLS GAMES Huron at Saline: Besides a close call at Monroe, the River Rats completed the first half of its Southeastern Conference schedule unbeaten with relative ease. The Hornets, who were within 10 points at Huron in December, get the first shot of the second half. Huron, 52-39

Dexter at Tecumseh: The Dreadnaughts beat SEC White Division leaders Adrian last week, in what coach Mike Bavineau called one of the best performances he’s seen from the group. Now they’ll have to keep up that intensity against the 2-8 Indians. Dexter, 43-33

Chelsea at Ypsilanti: Chelsea had its season-high offensive output in a 66-35 win over Ypsilanti earlier this season. The Phoenix have improved since that December game. Chelsea, 58-49

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Season: 22-12 (.647). Last week: 4-5 (.444). Best pick: Monroe 55, Saline 49 (Monroe girls won, 51-47). Worst pick: Too many to choose from. Contact Rich Rezler at 734-623-2565 or richrezler@annarbor.com.