PSL Playoffs: Breakdown

The top two teams from each of Detroit's Public School League four divisions will duel it out in quarterfinal games at 5:30/7:30 Renaissance and Cass Tech on Wednesday, February 11. The semi-final games will be played at 5:30/7:30 Renaissance on Friday, February 13. The champion will be decided after a consolation game at the University of Detroit-Mercy's Calihan Hall on Friday, February 20.

The East division's teams, Southeastern and Pershing, are amongst the best in the state and either is a tournament favorite. They split their season matchups and can only face eachother at Calihan Hall. Pershing has two players, 6'9 center Derrick Nix '09 and 6'1 guard Keith Appling '10, that are headed to Michigan State. Southeastern has two of the state's best sophomores, 6'8 power forward Percy Gibson and 6'5 Brandan Kearney, that are under the watchful eye of coaches across the country. Pershing has been the favorite to win the City Championship multiple times since 2005. Southeastern's Head Coach Mark White led Renaissance 5:30 is the start time for Pershing where they Crockett at Cass Tech. At the same time, Southeastern battles City at Renaissance.

The West division presents Henry Ford and Renaissance. Renaissance won back to back City Championships in 2003 and 2004. Henry Ford's head coach Ken Flowers was an assistant and head coach for the closed Redford which won three championnships from 2005-2007. Both teams are made of many glue players and seniors that have brought their teams this far. 6' point guard Delano Collins has been a staple in the Renaissance line-up for four years and 6'5 small forward Daniel Sutherlin has developed into a Low Division 1 prospect in the same time. Renaissance travels to Cass Tech and meets up with Central at 7:30. Henry Ford has one of the city's best point guards and former City champion, 5'9 senior DeMario Prince, and a top twenty junior in Michigan, 6'5 wing Matt Hunter. Henry Ford will be without 6'6 senior power forward Karriem Baker in their 7:30 matchup with Cass Tech at Renaissance on Wednesday. He's scheduled to return on Friday for semi-final action if Henry Ford wins.

Cass Tech and Central represent the Southeast division and both could be considered surprise teams at this stage in the year. Cass Tech hasn't made the city playoffs in the 21st century while Central has particpated the last three years. Cass Tech is a junior laden team that only won two games last year. The Technicians have plenty of size with 6'5 senior Darrien Schaefer, 6'7 junior power forward Shannon Williams, and 6'6 junior power forward Daniel Bellomy. Central has the MR. PSL award winner 6'3 senior guard DeAngelo Hailey who is one of the state's best shooters. Central also has legendary PSL coach Ben Kelso who might slow things down just a bit if Renaissance decides to run. They play Renaissance at Cass Tech in the late game on Wednesday. Cass Tech meets up with Henry Ford in the late game at Renaissance.

City is a two-time Southwest division winner while Crockett made the playoffs for the first-time in four-years. City has one of the state's best unsigned seniors in the diverse 6'5 forward Devon Patton and size in the middle with 6'7 junior center Cris Beacham. Crockett has a couple of dimunitive senior guards, the shooter Daniel Price and the play-maker Tevin Fields. Crockett also has one of the state's best big-men in 6'6 250 pound Devin Long. City faces Southeastern at Renaissance to open up Wednesday night action. Crockett ia the underdog as they battle Pershing at Cass Tech.

Should be great.