State Finals Previews - Get set for a throwback throwdown

The stage is set for a jam-o-rama.

The Son of Swami doesn't want to go too far back on you, but this could be the most entertaining Class A final since Flint Central beat Detroit Murray-Wright, 108-90, in 1981.

Yes, SOS has put Kalamazoo Central's first-year coach Mike Thomas on the advanced track, and the Maroon Giants have surprised everyone except SOS by getting to the Brez.

Now comes the fun part. Central's Doug Anderson threw down four dunks in the semifinal victory over Clarkston, and it will be interesting to see whether Anderson can do the same thing with SOS's "nephew" Derrick Nix standing in the lane ready to send Anderson's shots into the third row of the bleachers.

To see if SOS believes Central can press and dunk its way to a state title, read on.

CLASS A

Kalamazoo Central (25-1) vs. Detroit Pershing (25-1), 4. Central looked impressive beating Clarkston with its pressure defense. It will be interesting to see if Deon Dismuke can play the game of his life two days in a row to help make up for the loss of Juwan Howard, who had finger surgery. SOS's Nephews 91, Kangaroo Central 90 (OT).

CLASS B

Zeeland East (27-0) vs. Flint Powers (25-2), 8. There have only been 13 Class B teams to have an unbeaten season, and Korey VanDussen and his buddies are good enough to make it 14. But the combination of Shane Moreland, Patrick O'Brien and Patrick Lucas-Perry have some unfinished business from a year ago. Flint Power & Light 68, Zebra East 67 (OT).

CLASS C

Melvindale AB&T (23-2) vs. Schoolcraft (25-2), noon. Mike Talley was 3-0 in the state finals as a player. The best that junior Michael Talley III can do is go 2-0. Schoolcraft can hit enough threes to stay in the game, but can it handle AB&T's pressure? Mike Talley becomes 1-0 as a coach. Melvin & Dale ABCDEF 62, School's Out 59.

CLASS D

Cedarville (25-1) vs. Muskegon Christian (23-4), 10 a.m. There is absolutely no way London Burris is going to score 34 points again for Christian, but there is also no way Cedarville's C.J. Paquin is going to take the ball out of the basket and throw touchdown passes to wide-open teammates. Can Christian win back-to-back titles with no returning starters? Why not? Onward Christian Soldiers 84, Cedar Rapids 79.