The lesson learned this holiday season: It is, indeed, possible to have too much of a good thing.

I enjoy high school basketball. Prefer it to the college and professional game, in fact. But sitting through multiple games at a number of different holiday tournaments these past few weeks still has my backside feeling a bit numb.

It’s good to have the high school sports schedule back into a regular groove this week, which means single varsity games ... and the return of our basketball predictions. I went 6-2 way back on Dec. 17.

Here are my picks for a selection of this Friday night's games. You can play along by picking winners in the polls below.

BOYS GAMES Pioneer at Belleville: There are a plenty of relatively-new, spacious high school gymnasiums in the area, but the old-school cramped quarters at Belleville is my favorite place to watch a game. Especially when it’s an anticipated, competitive game like this one. Belleville, 58-52

Monroe at Huron: As one of two newcomers to the Southeastern Conference, Monroe hasn’t experienced the full-court trapping madness Huron (3-2) throws at its opponents. Of course, the Trojans (2-1) are coming to the SEC from the Red Division of the now-defunct Michigan Mega Conference, which played its own full-court style. Huron, 66-53

Warren DeLaSalle at Father Gabriel Richard: DeLaSalle is an impressive 6-0, but its signature win came over a Saginaw Arthur Hill team that played without All-State guard Maurice Jones for the first 21 minutes. Gabriel Richard is a less-impressive 1-3, but has played a much tougher schedule. Hmmm. Gabriel Richard, 55-50

Adrian at Ypsilanti: The SEC era begins Friday night at Ypsilanti, too, and the Phoenix are a contender - dare I say front-runner? - to win the White Division title. Ypsi should get off on the right foot in this game, but better intra-division tests are likely coming from Chelsea, Dexter and Lincoln. Ypsilanti, 59-47

Dexter at Lincoln: Lincoln is 3-1 with three players (Andrew Dillon, KeAndre Taylor and Deshawn Cliffton) averaging more than 13 points per game. Dexter (4-1) will counter the Railsplitters’ transition style with a more half-court focused attack led by 6-foot-6 post player Dave LaMore (team-best 11.8 ppg). Dexter, 52-48

GIRLS GAMES Huron at Monroe: The Monroe girls team launched its inaugural SEC season by beating defending Red Division champion Temperance Bedford. But that Dec. 18 game was the Trojans’ (3-2) last. The River Rats (4-2), who won the Livonia Ladywood tournament last week, should be considerably less rusty. Huron, 46-35

Saline at Temperance Bedford: Coming off a 40-28 loss to Adrian on Tuesday, Saline (2-5) makes the toughest road trip in the SEC. But with five new starters, the Kicking Mules (3-5) aren’t the powerhouse they’ve been. Bedford, 43-34

Flat Rock at Milan: Both teams are 3-2, but the Big Reds are flying high after Lindsey Lammers poured in 32 points in Tuesday’s win over Riverview. Flat Rock, which lost to New Boston Huron on Tuesday, might want to pay attention to the senior on the perimeter. Milan, 48-40

READERS' PREDICTIONS

BOYS GAMES

GIRLS GAMES