Wayne, MI.- One of the state's most competitive Class A district draws, #15 hosted by Wayne Memorial, featured five of six teams with winning records and the #1 ranked team in Michigan regardless of class. Only two remain after last night's battles and the scenario couldn't be better for Friday night's district final.

Romulus vs. Inkster, Athletes vs. Athletes, Nate Oats' Breslin appearances (3) vs. Durand Shepard's Breslin appearances (5), Inkster Crowd vs. Romulus Crowd, Inkster's Cheerleaders vs. Romulus' Cheerleaders, great defense vs. great defense, Maroon and White vs. Maroon and White, tough vs. tough, structured offense vs. structured offense, and on and on the similarities are there.

However, Romulus is built on the perimeter while Inkster grinds away in from 15' and in, Inkster's football player is playing football while Romulus' basketball player passes the football eye test but doesn't play football, Romulus' small guards vs. Inkster's 6'+ guards and the differences are there as well.

District final game time: Friday, 7pm @ Wayne Memorial

Both teams won handily in their district opener, Romulus 55 Westland John Glenn 35 and Inkster 69 Wayne Memorial 43; to set up last night's anticipated semifinal games. Belleville had a bye on Monday and faced the Romulus-John Glenn winner while Ypsilanti waited for the Inkster-Memorial winner.

The opening semifinal game pitted Inkster and Ypsilanti and both teams were loaded with versatile and athletic players. While Inkster didn't pull away until the second half they held the lead after each quarter: 13-10, 28-24, 44-32, and the final 61-43.

Inkster was led in scoring by 6'1 2010 point guard Lawrence Ridgell's 14. Ridgell uses the baseline well and is a solid rebounding guard. 6'4 2010 wing Jerry Jones matched Ridgell's 14. 6'4 2010 small forward Deon Butler (Central Michigan-football) scored nine while adding the glue that every team needs.

Ypsilanti's 6'6 2010 small forward Conner Heine scored 15. 6'3 2010 small forward Marsean Wilson scrapped 15 of his own while 6'2 2012 wing Derrick Richardson played well and added seven points.

Ypsilanti's marquee player is 6'6 2010 small forward Conner Heine, a sleeper that has the attention of NAIAs in Michigan as well as most Division 2 programs. Inkster's is 6'4 2010 wing Jerry Jones who emerged over the spring and early summer as a player to look for this school year. Jones has a solid following of MAC, GLIAC, and Juco programs.

Heine scored 15 on the night, while knocking down a couple of three-pointers from the corner in the first half while grabbing a handful of rebounds. Heine's athleticism is as intriguing as his want to play hard. He can also put the ball on the floor albeit not dominating on ball defenders.

Jones answered with 14 points and six boards while knocking down a couple of threes himself. He grabbed six boards and had his hand in many turnovers while coming away with three steals on his own. Jones ability to guard multiple positions raises eyebrows from Division 1 coaches while capturing the eyes of everyone else.

The ensuing game featured 21^st century rivals Romulus and Belleville and the first half-renewed past visions as both teams traded leads throughout the first half. The most surprising lead change was Belleville's 6'4 2011 power forward Marquis Saulsberry's turn around three-pointer from 23' that banked in at the half giving the Tiger's a 29-28 lead at the break.

While the third quarter started in Romulus' favor a steal by 6'1 2010 guard Anthony Isom looked to close a five-point when his dunk went off the back iron. The miss deflated Belleville as they didn't score another basket for the rest of the quarter and trailed 46-33.

Romulus went on to win 57-43 as the Eagles were led by 6'3 2010 wing DeAndray Buckley's 22, 5'9 2010 shooting guard Derrick Stewart's 10, and a cast of others who you cannot leave open on the perimeter. Romulus received solid play in the paint from 6'6 junior power forwards Stephon Edwards and Justin Moss. Despite Moss' four points he grabbed close to double-digit rebounds as well as an offer from Bowling Green State University who had their head coach and top assistant in the crowd. Moss' physical stature and play more than likely led to the offer.

Buckley has strong interest and offers from the majority of Michigan's GLIAC schools with Division 1 programs finding interest in his basketball IQ and toughness.

Belleville was led by Isom's ten points, 5'9 2011 guard Javuante Mackson's ten points, Saulsberry's nine, and 6'7 2010 power forward Mohamed Conde's eight.

Conde plays as hard as anyone in the state but had a tough time dealing with the 235-pound Moss in the paint and at the same time his mid-range jump shot wasn't clicking. There's a strong chance that Conde will take the prep school route to develop his game.