Wow, it actually happened. Kosmo figured there was a decent chance Marian and Mercy would make it to the semifinals and play each other, but until the reality sets in it is hard to believe. The reality did set in with both destroying their quarterfinal opponents and the dream all-county matchup is set. It is always rare when league rivals in close proximity to each other play so deep in the playoffs and not in districts or regionals, so it will be a special scene on Friday in East Lansing. But before focusing on Friday, Kosmo looks back to Tuesday and offers his 3 stars. Third star Lucia Westrick, Clarkston Everest Collegiate Pretty amazing that Westrick turned into the player she did despite never playing basketball before her junior year. She capped two unreal seasons by collecting 15 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocks in a quarterfinal loss to Cardinal Mooney. No shame at all given how unlikely Westrick's development was and how far the team went. Second star Taylor Jones/Candace Leatherwood, Farmington Hills Mercy - This two-headed monster combined for nine more points than the entire team of Romulus, as each had 18 points in a Mercy demolition. First star Brittany Gray, Birmingham Marian- Name a category and Gray produced in a rout of Port Huron Northern. She had 13 points, six rebounds, three blocks and played her typical great defense to help lead the Mustangs back to the final four.

Stay tuned on this blog later tonight or tomorrow for Kosmo's 3 stars from the girls quarterfinals. Until then here are your seer's picks for Wednesday's regional finals unless they are snowed out. Clarkston vs. Bloomfield Hills at Southfield-Lathrup, 5:30 p.m. - Note the early start time so you know to leave even earlier. The old adage that it is hard to beat a team three times in one season won't apply. Pick: Bloomfield Hills by 5. Birmingham Detroit Country Day vs. Detroit Douglass at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep - This could be Country Day's toughest test of the season, but it will pass thanks to the toughest point guard around Edmond Sumner. Pick: Country Day by 3. Mt. Clemens at Madison Heights Bishop Foley - - There would be nothing better than to see Bishop Foley rise up and beat a Macomb County on its home floor. Too bad it won't happen. Pick: Mt. Clemens by 10. Southfield Christian vs. Allen Park Inter-City Baptist at West Bloomfield - Evan Kraatz has had one incredible career for Inter-City Baptist. Too bad it will end here with the way Southfield Christian is playing. Pick: Southfield Christian by 10.

Excuse Kosmo for being a little late with his 3 star selections for Friday, but all this warmer weather stirred up the bears in his cave, so your seer had some other things on his mind needless to say. But better late than never and bears or no bears, here are Kosmo's 3 stars for Friday. And prayers to the Grandville community, hockey team and family of the hockey player who died in his sleep before Friday's semifinals. Our thoughts are with you. Third star Nick Pepin, Madison Heights Bishop Foley - There may have been some surprised that the Ventures beat Southfield Bradford, but never count them out on their home court. That was evident again in a 57-55 win that was keyed by Pepin's 26 points. Now, Bishop Foley gets to play regionals at home too. Second star Ja'Christian Biles, Oak Park - Kosmo is surprised Oak Park hadn't won a district since 2005, but he is not surprised Biles scored 23 points to lead the Knights to a 66-62 win over Lathrup and the school's first district title since then. First star Ernie Righetti, Birmingham Roeper - Yes he is a coach and was the losing coach in a district final against Our Lady of the Lakes, but Kosmo wants to give him props for 32 years at the helm as coach of the Roughriders. He announced his retirement as boys coach after the game and Kosmo wishes him nothing but the best.

As much fun as Monday and Tuesday were this week, Wednesday was even better because not only were there boys basketball district games but state hockey quarterfinals in addition. It was quite a night of the expected and unexpected. What isn't unexpected is that there were great individual performances and Kosmo is here to acknowledge the three best. Third star Frederick John, Southfield-Lathrup basketball - Don't overlook the Chargers in a district they are hosting, especially since they would love to get to a regional they are hosting also next week. John helped his team keep that dream alive, scoring 21 points and pulling down 16 rebounds in a win over Berkley. Second star Jonathan Radner, Berkley basketball - Kosmo usually doesn't like highlighting two players in the same game, but he has to given the performance of this junior who Kosmo can't wait to watch as a senior next year. He scored 34 points to cap off a terrific season. First star John Lethemon, Farmington hockey - Kosmo admits he doesn't know much about hockey, but he does know it is news when Cranbrook is upset in the playoffs, especially when Cranbrook has a team that is as good as it has ever had. It was almost like Miracle On Ice Part II, as Farmington beat Cranbrook 3-2 thanks to the unreal goaltending of Lethemon. He stopped 60, count it, 60 shots in the win. It would take Kosmo about 600 games to stop 60 shots, especially since your seer would fall over in all that equipment and would still wear the paper bag over his head instead of the mask.

Monday's first night of the boys basketball state tournament was somewhat tame as far as big surprises go but it obviously wasn't in regard to great games and individual performances. It was a good start to the tournament for sure and here are Kosmo's 3 stars for the night. Third star Nick Owens, Clarkston - It sounds like Adams left Owens open and he made the Highlanders pay, draining five 3-pointers and scoring 23 points in a nice opening night win over Adams. Second star Jake Daniels, Holly - The bad news is that Kosmo can't praise Daniels anymore this season after Holly's season-ending loss at Grand Blanc. He was so consistent this year and was great again on Monday, scoring 27 points. The good news is that he is a junior and Kosmo can follow him again next year. First star Scott McSweeney, Novi Frankin Road Christian - Kosmo doesn't care how small the schools were when Franklin Road met Lutheran Westland. 48 points and 16 rebounds is impressive at any school size and that is exactly the unreal performance McSweeney turned in to lead his team to a win.

There are few weeks of the year Kosmo looks forward to most than this one. Yes there are five nights of basketball during each week of the winter season, but not five nights of PLAYOFF basketball with boys districts and girls regionals taking place. Kosmo gave his thoughts on boys districts in the paper and online already. Here are his picks for Tuesday's girls regionals. Birmingham Marian vs. Southfield-Lathrup at Lake Orion, 5:30 p.m. - If OAA Red champ Harrison couldn't beat Lathrup neither will the OAA runner-up. Pick: Marian by 8. Waterford Kettering vs. Stoney Creek at Lake Orion, 7 p.m. - A toss-up game if Kosmo ever saw one. As long as Kettering can somewhat handle Stoney Creek's size, it will survive. Pick: Kettering by 3. Lakeland vs. Howell at West Bloomfield, 5:30 p.m. - The Eagles took advantage of a winnable district but not even the brilliance of Dominique Zigo will be enough. Pick: Howell by 5. Holly vs. Canton at West Bloomfield, 7 p.m. - Given how special this season has been for Holly, Kosmo hates making this pick. But he has to call it like he sees it. Pick: Canton by 6. Farmington Hills Mercy vs. Grosse Pointe South at Farmington, 5:30 p.m. - South will be shown no mercy at all. Pick: Mercy by 9. Country Day vs. Chandler Park Academy at Clawson, 5:30 p.m. - Kosmo doesn't know much about Chandler Park except it is in trouble. Pick: Country Day by 8. Ferndale vs. Detroit Collegiate at Clawson, 7.p.m. - The loser of this game will be a sacrificial lamb in the regional final, but at least that lamb will be from Oakland County. Pick: Ferndale by 7. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett at Madison Heights Bishop Foley, 7:30 p.m. - Not even home court will be enough for Bishop Foley. Pick: Liggett by 6. Novi Franklin Road Christian vs. Clarkston Everest Collegiate at Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes, 6 p.m. - What a great story that one of these teams will be in a regional final. Pick: Franklin Road by 4.