Arbor Prep Closes in on 2nd Straight Title
March 17, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
EAST LANSING – Absolutely, Ypsilanti Arbor Prep has noticed differences playing in Class B this season after winning the Class C title a year ago.
As expected, it’s tougher. There’s structure, more athletes. The Gators still pride themselves on suffocating defense, but at times it’s hasn’t been as bothersome against some of these new opponents.
And yet, the results have been the same – if not better.
Arbor Prep entered the postseason ranked No. 1 in Class B, and it remains undefeated after handing previously-undefeated and No. 5-ranked Freeland its first and only loss 54-46 in Friday’s last Semifinal at the Breslin Center.
The Gators now have won 36 straight games and will try to finish a perfect run against No. 2 Detroit Country Day in Saturday’s 6 p.m. championship game.
“It’s our last time playing together, and we just want to make it as special as we can,” Gators senior guard Ro’zhane Wells said. “And that’s winning the state championship. There’s no other way to go out than that.”
“Like Ro’zhane said, we’ve won the state championship. What better way to go? 28-0?” senior Adrienne Anderson added. “So that’s what we’re going for, and that’s our goal.”
Two teams had that goal Friday, with the assurance the season would end for one of them. Freeland’s strengths – especially outside shooting – were almost enough to send the Falcons (26-1) on instead.
Their 46 points were the second-most Arbor Prep (27-0) has given up this season despite facing a schedule that has included Class A finalist Flushing, another Class A power in Muskegon Mona Shores and a pair of ranked Class B teams during the playoffs in No. 3 Williamston and No. 8 Ida. Only Dearborn Heights Robichaud, with 54 in a four-point District Final loss to the Gators, put up more points against them.
Freeland made nine 3-pointers on 23 tries and shot better than 40 percent in two quarters, finishing just under 40 percent from the floor for the game. Leading Falcons scorer, senior guard Jessica Piper, made 6 of 9 shots including three 3-pointers on the way to 18 points.
But Arbor Prep’s defense did make a difference when it came to possessing the ball. The Gators took advantage of 21 Freeland turnovers, while giving the ball up only 10 times.
Still, a Piper 3-pointer pulled the Falcons to within 49-46 with 2:31 to play. At 5:55, they trailed Arbor Prep by 13.
“We’re like, we’re a good 3-point shooting team. We needed to get the 3 off, and the shots started falling; they didn’t fall the rest of the game,” Piper said. “And we looked at each other and we’re down by six. And we’re like, that’s two 3s, just look to shoot. We got it down to three at the end and almost pulled it off.”
Arbor Prep made five free throws down the stretch as Freeland had two turnovers and missed two shots.
“I knew we would never give up. We came out, I think we were a little hesitant, maybe a little nervous,” Freeland coach Tom Zolinski said. “(But) this team at any point could score 20 points in five minutes, and I think that’s half the reason we didn’t give up. We knew our firepower and what we were able to do.”
Wells had 14 points and six steals to lead Arbor Prep, and Anderson and Williams both added 10 points, with Anderson grabbing eight rebounds.
There are certainly some similarities as well between this run and Arbor Prep’s last two to Breslin (the Gators made the Class C Semifinals in 2015). They aren’t fazed by the stage, the different shooting perspective and other differences that might throw off first-time finalists – which should put them on at least even footing from that perspective with a Country Day team they know plenty about from playing against and with many of those players growing up.
“The girls believe they can play against anybody,” said Arbor Prep coach (and Ro’zhane’s father) Rod Wells. “We don’t really look at the jersey of the other team. We just think we can beat anybody. The girls still don’t get the attention they deserve. But they work extra hard, and you’ve got to respect that. I’ll probably never get a group (again) that works this hard.”
PHOTOS: (Top) Arbor Prep’s Lasha Petree stops Freeland’s Jenna Gregory (11) during Friday’s Class B Semifinal. (Middle) The Gators’ Cydney Williams (20) puts pressure on a driving Alyssa Argyle.
Breslin Bound: 2024-25 Girls Quarterfinal Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 18, 2025
We always try to celebrate the rare or unique when it comes to MHSAA Tournament success, and we welcome two first-time Regional champions and a few more first-time-in-a-long-time contenders who have advanced to tonight’s Girls Basketball Quarterfinals.
But you’re right on if this field also looks a little familiar.
Of 32 teams competing to reach Breslin Center this time, 16 also played in Quarterfinals in 2024. Of those 16, 10 advanced to last year’s Semifinals – so there is plenty of championship week experience to go around as we look at tonight’s matchups below.
“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid and based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com. (Abbreviations below denote ppg - points per game, rpg - rebounds per game, apg - assists per game, spg - steals per game, and bpg - blocks per game.)
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Tecumseh 50, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 39 In this Regional Final, Tecumseh (24-1) avenged last season’s five-point Quarterfinal loss to FGR (24-2), which went on to finish Division 2 runner-up.
2. Grandville Calvin Christian 39, Pewamo-Westphalia 36 Calvin (20-6) clinched a Division 3 Regional championship by handing the Pirates (25-1) their lone loss of the winter.
3. Goodrich 58, Haslett 56 The Martians (23-3) claimed a Division 2 Regional title with their closest win of the season; the Vikings finished 22-4.
4. Fowler 57, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 36 The Eagles advanced to this week in Division 4 by dealing Sacred Heart (21-1) its only defeat.
5. Genesee Christian 45, Kingston 40 The Soldiers (23-2) moved on to championship week by edging a Kingston team that ended 21-3 coming off last year’s Division 4 runner-up finish.
Quarterfinals at a Glance
DIVISION 1
DeWitt (25-1) vs. Belleville (25-1) at Holt
Belleville is seeking a second-straight trip to the Semifinals and is led again by sophomore guard Sydney Savoury (26.1 ppg, 3.0 apg, 4.2 spg) and junior guard Se’Crette Carter (19.3 ppg). But the Panthers can counter with a pair of 1,000-point career scorers in senior guards Tara Kurncz (13.4 ppg) and Madi Uyl (12.2 ppg, 2.4 apg), the former having become the program’s all-time leading scorer last month. Both teams avenged their lone defeats.
West Bloomfield (18-8) vs. Utica Ford at University of Detroit Mercy, 7:30 p.m.
The reigning Division 1 champion Lakers graduated four starters from last season’s team, but the new crew has won 15 of its last 18 games led by that lone returning starter, junior guard Sheridan Beal (16 ppg, 54 3-pointers). Ford has taken a strong step this season, winning its first Regional title since 1984. Senior guard Anayya Davis leads with 21.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and just over a block per game.
Wayne Memorial (20-6) vs. Temperance Bedford (24-2) at University of Detroit Mercy, 5:30 p.m.
Wayne is the lone team to defeat Belleville this season, splitting with the Tigers to share the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East title. Junior Mariah Cross (19.4 ppg) and senior Colleena Bryant (17.2 ppg) make up a high-scoring backcourt, and Bryant was a Miss Basketball Award finalist. Bedford is returning to the Quarterfinals for the second-straight season and with plenty of power in the post. Senior forward Victoria Gray sets the pace at 20.6 points, 15 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.
Rockford (25-1) vs. Grand Haven (22-3) at Muskegon Mona Shores
Senior forward Anna Wypych (21.8 ppg, 85 3-pointers) was named Miss Basketball on Monday, and tonight she’ll attempt to lead the Rams to back to Breslin with a third win over Grand Haven this season after Rockford won the first two meetings by 12 and 11 points. The Buccaneers are making their first Quarterfinal appearance since winning the Class A championship in 2013, and their only other defeat this winter was to Hudsonville.
DIVISION 2
Gladstone (24-2) vs. Frankenmuth (22-4) at Cheboygan
Gladstone is making its first Quarterfinal appearance since 2012 having avenged its only losses with a District Final win over Negaunee. Junior guard Lillie Johnson has made her name known statewide, averaging 22.4 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game. Frankenmuth has reached at least the Quarterfinals three of senior Clare Conzelmann’s four seasons and avenged its two losses to Division 2 opponents this winter in winning last week’s Regional.
Goodrich (23-3) vs. Tecumseh (24-1) at Northville
All three of Goodrich’s losses came to opponents that reached at least Regional Finals, and the Martians follow a pair of playmakers in junior guard Kayla Hairston (12 ppg, 3.6 apg) and sophomore guard Baylor Lauinger (11.3, 4.4). Tecumseh’s only defeat came to Rockford two months ago on the way to reaching the Quarterfinals for the second-straight season. Senior 6-foot-2 forward Alli Zajac (14.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and sister 6-0 sophomore center Addi Zajac (13.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.1 bpg) combine to give their team a powerful post presence, and Alli was a Miss Basketball finalist.
Grand Rapids West Catholic (22-3) vs. Grand Rapids South Christin (24-2) at Hudsonville Unity Christian
These Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold co-champions split their regular season meetings, West Catholic winning the first by 13 points and South Christian taking the rematch by seven. West Catholic was the Division 2 runner-up in 2022 and reached the Semifinals the last two seasons, and senior guard Elisha Dykstra (10.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.2 apg) has started all four years. South Christian will attempt to reach Finals weekend for the first time since 2016 led by junior guard Sophia Prins (14.3 ppg, 4.1 apg, 3.2 spg).
Detroit Edison (18-6) vs. Detroit Country Day (20-5) at St. Clair County Community College
Edison is playing for a second-straight Division 2 title and third over the last four seasons, and with three of its losses this winter to teams still playing. Senior Isis Johnson-Musah (17.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.7 spg) was another Miss Basketball Award finalist and the team’s leading scorer in last year’s championship win. Country Day is seeking to return to the Semifinals for the second time in four seasons and keyed in part by high-scoring guards junior Jayla Jackson (19.6 ppg) and sophomore Cece Arico (16.5).
DIVISION 3
Calumet (21-5) vs. Sanford Meridian (23-3) at Manistique
The Copper Kings have jumped from 11-12 a year ago to reach the Quarterfinals for the second time in five seasons, and downed reigning Division 4 champion Ishpeming in the District Final. Guard Jackie Kiilunun is the lone senior starter and lead scorer at 14 ppg. After falling a win shy last season, Meridian won its first Regional title last week and also follows a talented senior guard in Halen McLaughlin (28 ppg, 77 3-pointers, 8.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 4.5 spg).
Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest (19-6) vs. Sandusky (24-2) at West Bloomfield, 6 p.m.
Northwest won this same matchup last season 38-16 to reach the Semifinals and has four starters back from that team, with junior forward Addie Troska moving up from super sub last winter and becoming the fifth starter and leading scorer (10.2 ppg). Sandusky has won three straight Regional titles and is seeking to return to the Semifinals for the first time since 1999. Sophomore guard Caroline Reinke fills the stat sheet at 10 points, 7.2 rebounds, four assists and 5.8 steals per game.
Jackson Lumen Christi (19-6) vs. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (14-12) at Dansville
Lumen Christi has reached its first Quarterfinal since 1988 by defeating three straight opponents that finished with at least 18 wins this season. Center Kathleen Doane is the lone senior. Reigning Division 3 champ Arbor Prep has navigated injury and inexperience to stack up seven straight wins. Senior guard Eliza Bush is the lone returning starter from last year’s team, although junior guard Angela Meggisson was a top sub and starts now.
Grandville Calvin Christian (20-6) vs. Niles Brandywine (26-0) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
After heading into the postseason with two straight losses, Calvin has won three straight games by three points or fewer including handing Pewamo-Westphalia its only loss, in the Regional Final. Junior forward Addyson Rhodes (13.6 ppg) and junior guard Leila Nelson (13.3) set the scoring pace. Next up is reigning Division 3 runner-up Brandywine, which is a combined 52-2 over the last two seasons and has six players scoring at least five points per game led by senior Adeline Gill (12.5 ppg).
DIVISION 4
Ewen-Trout Creek (25-1) vs. St. Ignace (25-1) at Gladstone
A loss to Division 2 Negaunee is all that’s kept Ewen-Trout Creek from a perfect season, and this will be the Panthers’ first Quarterfinal since 2005. Freshman guard Bree Besonen (16.9 ppg, 4.5 apg) and junior center Irelyn McGeshick (16.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg) lead a team with no seniors and only three juniors among eight players total. St. Ignace’s lone defeat came to Division 2 Sault Ste. Marie, and the Saints are pursuing their first Semifinal trip since 2019 with guard Jillian Fraser (17 ppg, 6.2 apg) and center Addison Cullen (16.8 ppg, 11.2 rpg) two of only three seniors of their roster.
Byron Center Zion Christian (20-6) vs. Concord (21-4) at Battle Creek Harper Creek
Zion has won 16 of its last 18 games to emerge from third in the Alliance League and claim its first Regional title. Junior forward Audra Kaptein (13 ppg) and junior guard Jayda Steenbergen (12.2 ppg, 5.9 apg, 4.4 spg) lead a lineup with only one senior starter. Concord has won 10 of its last 11 games to reach the Quarterfinals for the second time and first since 2012. Senior Grace Thorrez, at 6-2, is strong in the post with 14.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, and sophomore guard Bradie Lehman (13.7 ppg, 4.2 apg, 4.5 spg) provides balance in the backcourt.
Frankfort (18-6) vs. Fowler (24-2) at Cadillac
Frankfort is seeking to reach the Semifinals for the second-straight season and after an 0-3 start and two losses over its final three games heading into the playoffs. They’ve bounced back again, with lone senior Savina Anhalt (12.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) combining with junior Addie Jarosz (13.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg) to form a solid frontcourt duo. Fowler has reached five straight Semifinals (not counting 2020, when the season ended prior to that round), and three starters are back from last year’s run led by senior guard Katie Spicer (12.5 ppg, 4.5 apg).
Morenci (24-1) vs. Genesee Christian (23-2) at Brighton
A one-point overtime loss is all that’s kept Morenci from a perfect run as the Bulldogs return to the Quarterfinals seeking their first Semifinal trip since 2011. Junior guard Emersyn Bachelder (15.6 ppg) is again the leading scorer, upping her average more than five points from a year ago. Genesee Christian has emerged from 14-10 last winter to reach the Quarterfinals for the second time in four seasons, this time with lone senior starter Haven Chapman (20.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.8 apg, 4.2 spg, 1.3 bpg) setting the pace.
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PHOTOS (Top) Ewen-Trout Creek coach Jacky Besonen presents the Division 4 Regional trophy to her team after last week's win over Norway. (Middle) Fowler's Paige Thelen (10) drives to the basket during her team's Regional clincher over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart. (E-TC photo by Cara Kamps. Fowler/Sacred Heart photo by Kolleth Photo.)