Tuesday’s Flint-area basketball forecast: Hoops slate shares spotlight with Singing Day

Flint Journal File PhotoDestiny Stephens and No. 1-ranked Goodrich put their unbeaten record on the line against a tough Midland team Tuesday.

It took long enough, but it appears winter has finally arrived in full force. Snow and cold temperatures have taken their place, but competition and conference races are heating up in gyms all around Genesee County.

That’s a rite of passage for February hoops as teams prepare to get in tournament shape for March. Also a February tradition: National Signing Day. It’s Wednesday, Feb. 1. For us here at the Flint Journal, the timing couldn’t be better. Coming Feb. 2, the website and print product here and across MLive Media Group will be different. It’s the perfect opportunity for us to showcase the local athletes from around Genesee County who will be moving on to compete in the college ranks next season. For us to do this as effectively as we’d like, however, we’ll need our community to help.

If your school is hosting a signing day event, please let us know about it. if you’ve got photos you’re willing to share from a signing ceremony, please send them our way. Also, if there’s not an actual signing day ceremony being held, but you have information on an individual athlete signing a National Letter of Intent, by all means let us know.

Information and or photos can be sent to me at rmaghiel@mlive.com or fellow Flint Journal sports writer Eric Woodyard at ewoodyar@mlive.com. if signing day comes and goes and an athlete’s NLI announcement goes unmentioned, we want to know about that too.

Also, to see the full prep schedule as well as last night’s results, check out our daily prep roundup post generated from the MLive.com high school sports page. With that public service announcement out of the way, let’s move on to the picks for tonight’s boys and girls basketball action:

Boys

Burton Bentley at Durand — Let’s face it, with the way he’s been playing Bentley’s Kyle Kuzma might be able to outscore the one-win Railroaders from Durand on his own. if not, teammates Cody Beebe and Nate Boone can provide more than enough cushion. Prediction: Bentley by 17.

Clio at Holly — the Bronchos have yet to lose a home game this season. that won’t change tonight. Prediction: Holly by 14.

Flint Northern at Powers Catholic — both of these teams are better than their records show. should be a good game but the Vikings’ momentum from knocking off Bay City Western on the road last Friday will carry over into another road win tonight. I’ll have full coverage from this game so be sure to check MLive.com for the story and video. Prediction: Northern by 5.

Flint Northwestern at Carman-Ainsworth — there will be a few football players from Carman-Ainsworth signing National Letters of Intent Wednesday, but the basketball team will hold down the spotlight tonight. the Cavaliers have won four in a row and Denzel Watts and co. will keep that streak going. Prediction: Carman-Ainsworth by 6.

Grand Blanc at Brighton — the Broncos have not won a game away from Grand Blanc this season and I’m sure coach Chris Belcher is getting tired of that. They’ll snap that streak tonight. Prediction: Grand Blanc by 7.

Lapeer East at Flushing — the Raiders have been putting in the effort, but not seeing the results so far this season. Expect seniors Andy Kujat, Dominique Marshall and Brent Myers to start turning this team in the right direction in the second half, starting with a win tonight. Prediction: Flushing by 3.

Girls

Holly at Clio — Breanna Pennington and Allison Kitchen are one tough duo for Clio. Oddly enough, David Hall’s Holly team hasn’t lost on the road this season. It’ll be close, but I see Clio coming out a tad short tonight. Prediction: Holly by 3.

Brighton at Grand Blanc — another good meeting on what is a loaded night for girls basketball in the metro Flint area. I say the Bobcats do just enough to hold off the Bulldogs tonight. Prediction: Grand Blanc by 5.

Carman-Ainsworth at Flint Southwestern — two pretty evenly matched teams, I say the advantage goes to Lariah Stevens and the home Southwestern team. Prediction: Southwestern by 4.

Powers Catholic at Flint Northern — Emily Sweet won’t sugar coat her game tonight vs. Northern. Expect her to put up big numbers in a Chargers victory. Prediction: Powers Catholic by 8.

Flushing at Saginaw — Saginaw will have a nasty time trying to control the girls from Flushing tonight. the Raiders will get in and out of town with a ‘W’. Prediction: Flushing by 16.

Lapeer East at Flint Beecher — Conyana Robinson is a double-double waiting to happen on a nightly basis for the Buccaneers. Combine that with the fact that Lapeer East hasn’t won a game and it’s a winning formula for Beecher. Prediction: Beecher by 13.

Midland at Goodrich — Goodrich is the No. 1 team in Class B and boasts one of the state’s best teams. However, if there was team capable of beating the Martians, Midland might be it. that being said, there’s no reason to believe anybody will beat Goodrich this season, especially at home. the Flint Journal’s Eric Woodyard will be in the house for this one. Prediction: Goodrich by 3.

Follow me on Twitter @maghielse.

Tuesday’s Flint-area basketball forecast: Hoops slate shares spotlight with Singing Day