Breslin Bound: 2025-26 Boys Regional Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 3, 2026
Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy won its first District championship in boys basketball last week. Fruitport won its first since 1938.
Yale defeated Croswell-Lexington and Marshall defeated Battle Creek Pennfield in District Final matchups of teams that shared league titles. Ann Arbor Pioneer, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Colon and Detroit Cass Tech all finished second in their leagues this season but won their Districts as well, defeating their respective league champions to advance to this week’s Regionals.
Districts offer every team new life and second chances – and after a week full of those, 128 hopefuls are only three more wins from booking a trip to Michigan State.
Find everything you need to know this week about tickets, brackets and more as the tournament continues on the Boys Basketball page. To watch any of several games online, visit the NFHS Network, and see below for several of the intriguing matchups. Host sites are in bold.
“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid and based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com.
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Detroit Cass Tech 66, Detroit Martin Luther King 23 The Technicians (18-6) avenged a pair of regular-season losses to rival King (18-6) in a big way in this Division 1 District final after previously falling by seven points Jan. 21 and then 68-63 in the Detroit Public School League Tournament championship game on Feb. 15.
2. Rockford 83, Muskegon 70 The Rams (20-3) won this Division 1 District Final matchup for the second-straight season, ending Ottawa-Kent Conference Green champion Muskegon’s run at 20-3.
3. Hudsonville Unity Christian 60, Grand Rapids South Christian 39 This Division 2 District Final pitted the champs from the O-K Black and Gold, with Unity (21-3) adding to its 17-point win over the Sailors (20-4) from Dec. 12.
4. Colon 54, Mendon 47 The Magi (20-4) had finished second to Mendon in the Southern Central Athletic Association West after losing in overtime both times they faced the Hornets (22-2) during the regular season, but got past them in regulation in this Division 4 District Final.
5. Grand Rapids Catholic Central 44, Grand Rapids Christian 41 The Cougars (18-6) had fallen to Grand Rapids Christian (17-6) by nine points just 10 days earlier to lose the O-K White title to the Eagles, but rebounded to win a Division 2 District title for the third-straight season.
Regionals at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold:
DIVISION 1
Caledonia
Grand Rapids Northview (20-4) vs. Grandville (14-10)
Holland West Ottawa (13-11) vs. East Kentwood (21-2)
Grandville and West Ottawa deserve nods for reaching this week, the Bulldogs for avenging two regular-season losses to Hudsonville with a 49-37 District Final win and the Panthers as they added to a nice streak of four wins in five games by joining Grandville, East Kentwood and Rockford as one of four District champs from the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red. But the most anticipated matchup this week would see O-K Gold co-champion Northview take on the Falcons, who won that O-K Red that also will see all six teams finish with winning records this season.
Detroit Renaissance
Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (19-5) vs. Detroit Cass Tech (18-6)
Farmington (12-12) vs. Warren Fitzgerald (18-6)
Brother Rice and Cass Tech have been in the statewide favorites conversation most of this decade, and although neither won its league this season it wouldn’t be shocking to see either playing at Breslin with an opportunity to win it all in two weeks. Only three of Rice’s losses were to in-state opponents – East Lansing (23-1), Rockford (20-3) and Detroit Catholic Central (17-6) – and Cass Tech’s six defeats came by a combined 21 points. Farmington has emerged after finishing fifth in the Oakland Activities Association Red and defeated Redford Thurston (20-3) to advance, and Fitzgerald has won 12 of its last 15 and claimed the Macomb Area Conference White title.
Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
Jackson (18-6) vs. Kalamazoo Central (20-2)
Kalamazoo Loy Norrix (16-7) vs. East Lansing (23-1)
Reigning Division 1 champion East Lansing has been stopped only once this season, by Grand Rapids Northview on Feb. 7. The Trojans also defeated Loy Norrix 78-50 two weeks ago, and last year downed Kalamazoo Central by 35 points in the Regional Final. The Maroon Giants are among the state’s elite again this season and perhaps even a step up from a year ago, with losses to only Detroit Martin Luther King (18-6) and Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice (19-5). The focus is on those two, but Jackson has won 11 of its last 12 games, and Loy Norrix has its most wins since 2011-12.
DIVISION 2
Fowlerville
Chelsea (18-5) vs. Marshall (19-4)
Lansing Sexton (22-2) vs. Michigan Center (20-3)
All of these teams are league champions, Sexton in the Capital Area Activities Conference White, Michigan Center in the Cascades Conference East, Chelsea sharing with two others in the Southeastern Conference White and Marshall as co-champion in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference. Marshall downed the other I8AC co-champ Battle Creek Pennfield to advance and also defeated Michigan Center 64-50 on Dec. 13. Sexton defeated Chelsea by two points last season in their Regional Final and has been even better this winter with its only losses to Division 1 East Lansing and Lansing Waverly. Michigan Center bounced back from two losses to end the regular season, and Chelsea has three defeats by one or two points and shared the SEC White title with Division 1 teams Ypsilanti Lincoln and Jackson.
Manistique
Kingsford (16-6) vs. Cheboygan (18-6)
Ludington (22-2) vs. Gladwin (23-1)
Gladwin won the Jack Pine Conference overall championship and is riding a 23-game winning streak since falling to Sanford Meridian (17-7) in its season opener. The Flying Gs take on another league champion in Ludington, which won the West Michigan Conference Lakes and has lost to only Division 1 Traverse City West (16-5) and North Muskegon (22-2). Those two will play one of the most intriguing Regional Semifinals in any division, but Kingsford or Cheboygan also will be formidable Thursday. The Flivvers made the Division 2 Semifinals a year ago, defeating Ludington by 40 in the Regional Final along the way. Cheboygan has doubled its win total this season from two years ago and got through close games with Grayling and Ogemaw Heights last week to advance.
Owosso
Flint Hamady (16-6) vs. Frankenmuth (23-1)
Freeland (21-3) vs. Portland (18-5)
This group is a complete repeat of last year’s Regional that saw Freeland advance to the Quarterfinals by defeating Portland. Heading into this year’s bracket, Frankenmuth finished first and Freeland second in the Tri-Valley Conference Red, and Freeland handed the Eagles their only loss, 54-48 on Feb. 13, after Frankenmuth had won their first meeting 47-43. Hamady won the Genesee Area Conference Blue and advanced to this week with a 17-point win over Flint Powers Catholic (16-7). Portland finished second in the CAAC White behind Lansing Sexton (22-2) and has won nine of its last 10 games.
DIVISION 3
Cass City
Reese (15-10) vs. International Academy of Flint (18-4)
Sandusky (16-7) vs. Harbor Beach (21-3)
Harbor Beach has totaled at least 20 wins the last three seasons and reached the Regional Final a year ago, but must defeat a familiar opponent for a third time to take that step again. The Pirates won the Big Thumb Conference Black and Sandusky finished third – and Sandusky also had a win over Reese just two weeks ago. The Rockets emerged by upsetting Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (19-5) in their District Final and now must take on another league champion in IAF, which won the Genesee Area Conference Red. The Phoenix bounced back from a pair of losses to end the regular season to earn their second District title over the last three years, and all of IAF’s defeats came to opponents with at least 18 wins.
Clinton
Ottawa Lake Whiteford (21-3) vs. Onsted (22-2)
Jonesville (18-6) vs. Ecorse (18-5)
Whiteford/Onsted should be another Regional Semifinal with notable statewide interest as both are league champions – in the Tri-County Conference and Lenawee County Athletic Association, respectively – with only a handful of losses between them. Whiteford actually shared the TCC title but has won 11 straight games and lost only twice to in-state opponents. Both Onsted defeats came to Division 2 teams. Ecorse also is a league champion, in the Charter School Conference Silver, and only three years removed from a run to the Division 3 Semifinals. Jonesville was the runner-up in the Cascades Conference West and reached this week with two five-point wins in its District including a triple-overtime victory over Hudson.
Kingsford
Ishpeming Westwood (23-1) vs. Menominee (20-4)
East Jordan (22-2) vs. Elk Rapids (20-3)
This is another field of four league champs, starting with Western Peninsula Athletic Conference winner Westwood, which made the Division 3 Semifinals a year ago and defeated Great Northern Conference champ Menominee 55-52 on Feb. 6. That was one of three Maroons defeats against teams still playing this week, and Menominee is only two years removed from winning a Regional title. East Jordan won the Ski Valley Conference and defeated Mancelona (21-3) for the third time this season to win their District Final. Elk Rapids won the Northern Shores Conference and has lost to only Division 1 and 2 opponents. The Elks got past Northwest Conference champion Maple City Glen Lake by three points last week to advance.
DIVISION 4
Detroit Douglass
Detroit Douglass (17-7) vs. Allen Park Inter-City Baptist (21-3)
Whitmore Lake (17-7) vs. Southfield Christian (19-5)
Inter-City Baptist defeated Douglass in a Regional Semifinal a year ago during its run to Breslin and has lost to only Division 1 and 2 teams this season that all have won at least 17 games. The host Hurricanes also have lost to only Division 1 and 2 teams, all with at least 14 wins – and Douglass nearly made the PSL championship game before falling to Cass Tech in overtime of their semifinal. Inter-City Baptist won the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference Blue and has two victories over both Whitmore Lake and Southfield Christian, which split their regular-season series with Whitmore Lake winning the first game and the Eagles taking the rematch.
Hillman
Rudyard (14-10) vs. Pickford (23-0)
Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian (16-7) vs. Hillman (21-2)
As noted above, Northern Michigan Christian is coming off its first District championship in this sport. The Eagles also have a win over Rudyard this season and a 23-pointer over Posen – which shared the North Star League Little Dipper championship with Hillman. That adds another level of intrigue to this bracket as Hillman and Posen split and Hillman lost their second meeting – although the Tigers already avenged their other loss, to Rogers City, twice including last week. Pickford has 27 and 29-point wins over Rudyard this season and is pursuing a second-straight Regional title after missing a trip to Breslin last season with a two-point Quarterfinal loss. Rudyard has won 10 of its last 13 games and in its District Final avenged a 20-point loss to Brimley from 10 days earlier with a two-point win.
Merrill
Fowler (22-2) vs. Baldwin (20-4)
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (22-1) vs. Saginaw Nouvel Catholic Central (16-7)
This power-packed Regional starts with Tri-unity, the reigning Division 4 champion with its only loss this season to Division 2 Fruitport (21-3) on Dec. 20. The Defenders must first take on a Nouvel team that finished second in the TVC Blue and has won eight of its last nine games including 55-50 over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (18-5) in their District Final. And whichever team comes out of Fowler/Baldwin will provide a major challenge as well. The Eagles also ran into Tri-unity last year – in the Division 4 championship game, won by the Defenders 49-32 – and Fowler’s only losses this winter were to Division 3 Pewamo-Westphalia (22-2). Baldwin will do its best to prevent that rematch and is plenty capable after avenging an earlier defeat to clinch the outright West Michigan D League title while riding a run of nine wins over its last 10 games.
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PHOTOS (Top) Detroit Cass Tech’s Amari Wash (11) makes a move toward the lane during his team’s Division 1 District Final win over Detroit Martin Luther King on Friday. (Middle) Marquette's Ford Richardson gets up a shot while surrounded by Traverse City West's Ashton Royle (15), Jacob Banish (1), Blake LaFaive (5), and Carter Grubb (3) during the Sentinels’ 69-52 Division 1 District Final win. (Below) Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Ortonville Brandon face off in a Division 2 District opener. (Cass Tech/King photo by Olivia B. Photography. Marquette/TC West photo by Cara Kamps. Notre Dame Prep/Ortonville Brandon photo by Terry Lyons.)
Oscoda Teams Rise From Past to Perfection
February 8, 2019
By Chris Dobrowolski
Special for Second Half
OSCODA — The tide has turned in Oscoda.
After struggling year after year in boys and girls basketball, the Owls are enjoying quite a turnaround on the hardcourt this winter as both teams enter the final month of the regular season undefeated — just one of two schools in the state to be collectively unbeaten in boys and girls hoops.
The boys team boasts a record of 15-0 and is 9-0 in the North Star League Big Dipper division, while the girls squad has cruised to a 12-0 mark, including going 5-0 in league play.
It hasn’t always been that way, however.
“There’s a lot of years where we really struggled,” said Oscoda varsity boys basketball coach Seth Alda, a 2003 graduate of the school who is in his seventh year at the helm. “It wasn’t that long ago. There were a lot of years where we not only struggled but a lot of teams beat us by quite a bit.”
The boys team has reached a stretch where it has failed to win a league championship in 27 years or District title in 18 straight seasons, while the girls program became infamous for having lost 89 consecutive games at one point.
“We went almost four and a half years without winning a game,” said Oscoda varsity girls basketball coach Mark Toppi, who took over the girls program four years ago. “They had only had a couple wins in the past three years before I took the job.”
The Owls had been caught in a rut for most of the last few decades, partly due to a precipitous decline in the school’s enrollment after Wurtsmith Air Force Base was decommissioned in 1993. As families left the area, Oscoda became a shell of itself. At one time Class B playing within the North East Michigan Conference, the school was unable to remain competitive with its league rivals as its student population was slashed in half. It eventually made sense to leave the NEMC, and Oscoda toiled as an independent before finding a landing spot in the Huron Shores Conference, which eventually morphed into a reconfigured North Star League in 2014.
Things began to trend in the Owls’ favor last season as a group of talented and ambitious athletes started making their mark. It’s a core of players who have gotten better by working hard, dedicating themselves, including honing their games and picking up additional competition on local travel teams.
“We kind of saw it coming,” said Alda. “Last year we were 14-8, which was our first winning season in 15 years. We returned a lot of players off that team. Last year we were young, and this year we’re still young. We have a lot coming back next year too.”
The Owls’ main core consists of juniors Brayden Mallak, Gabe Kellstrom, Devin Thomas and Chance Kruse, as well as sophomores Owen Franklin and Gavin Lueck.
“We’re guard-oriented,” said Alda. “We like to get up and down the court. We press. We shoot a lot of threes. Typically, we go four out and one in — four guards and one post player. We like to push the tempo. We like to increase possessions. We’ve got three kids (Mallak, Kellstrom and Franklin) who are shooting over 35 percent — a couple of them over 40 — from the 3-point line.”
The girls team managed to come up with 13 wins a year ago despite not having a senior on the roster. That was part of the ascent from three victories in Toppi’s first season, to seven wins two years ago. The 13-9 record in 2017-18 earned Toppi the Associated Press’ Class C Coach of the Year Award.
With all that returning experience from the best girls team Oscoda had seen in years, the Owls were primed for an even better season.
“I could tell we were going to have a good year, just because of all the work they put in over the summer,” said Toppi. “We had a lot of success (last summer). We play up all the time whenever we go to team camps. We always try to play Class B or Class A schools. We take a lot of beatings in the summer. This year was the first year that we were winning against some of those schools. That was a nice sign. I try to tell them, ‘If we’re losing by 15 to a Class A school, that’s not bad.’ This year we were beating some of them.”
The Oscoda girls team has a bit more experience than the boys, with senior Katelyn Etherton in her fourth year as a starting guard. She reached the 1,000-point mark in her career earlier this year. Junior post player Lauren Langley is another key veteran who teams with Etherton, and each average close to 17 points per game. Sophomore Macy Kellstrom leads the team in steals and assists as the point guard, and classmate Izzy Hulverson is averaging a double-double in points and rebounds.
The problem the girls team has discovered is it isn’t getting pushed by the teams on its schedule. The Owls are winning by an average of 34 points per game. A 41-25 win over Tawas was the closest to date. Toppi hopes not having a close game during the regular season won’t hurt the Owls when they get to the postseason. For now, he’s just focused on getting the Owls ready for a tournament run.
“I’m just trying to get them to play hard and practice hard,” he said. “I don’t want them to look at the schedule. We’re still trying to get competition in practice and get better every day.”
The boys games have been a little less one-sided, particularly two clashes against league rival Mio. Oscoda beat the Thunderbolts both times, but one was a seven-point win in a back-and-forth game a week ago and the other was a 35-33 nail-biter earlier this season that wasn’t decided until Mallak drove the length of the court and scored on a buzzer beater.
The buzz has caught up to the Owls as the wins have continued to pile up for both teams.
“Around the school I feel like everybody’s wearing Oscoda across their chest a lot more proudly than what it was a while ago,” said Franklin. “Wherever you go, people know who you are now.
“Every practice Mr. Alda talks to us about how we could be the first in so many years to do this (or that). Early in the year we were 8-0 and he was like, ‘You’ve got a chance to go 9-0. That hasn’t happened in 30 years. He talks to us a lot about making history.”
The struggles the school endured in basketball are not forgotten, but both teams are doing their part to make better memories on the court. The girls already snapped a 48-game losing streak to nearby rival Tawas, and the boys swept the Braves for the first time in 20 years. The boys team is also close to ending that elusive conference championship drought, and both teams have their eyes on earning some District tournament hardware.
“I keep talking about how exciting it is when you get to tournament time, if you can make a run,” said Alda, who was a freshman on Oscoda’s last basketball Regional champion in 2000. “This is just a really cool thing to be a part of.”
Chris Dobrowolski has covered northern Lower Peninsula sports since 1999 at the Ogemaw County Herald, Alpena News, Traverse City Record-Eagle and currently as sports editor at the Antrim Kalkaska Review since 2016. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw, Iosco, Alcona, Oscoda, Crawford, Kalkaska, Grand Traverse, Benzie, Leelanau, Antrim, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Presque Isle, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Emmet counties.
PHOTOS: (Top) Lauren Langley, left, and Brayden Mallak have been key to Oscoda’s perfect starts; Mallak here hits the game-winning shot against Mio. (Middle) Katelyn Etherton beats everyone to the basket during a win over Lincoln Alcona. (Below) The Owls celebrate that Mio victory Dec. 13. (Photos courtesy of the Oscoda girls and boys basketball programs.)