'Blazer Basketball' Follows Coach's Lead
January 20, 2017
By Dennis Chase
Special for Second Half
KALKASKA – After upending previously unbeaten Traverse City St. Francis on the road last Saturday, Kalkaska basketball coach Dave Dalton treated his team to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings.
It’s a gesture that’s commonplace in the Blazers girls basketball program.
Whether he’s taking his players for ice cream after a summer workout, inviting them over to go tubing on the river near his home in Rapid City, or spending extra teaching time with them on the court, Dalton is all about team – team bonding, team building.
He’s a man, those in the program concur, who pours his heart and soul into his job.
The respect is apparent. So is the success.
“He puts his heart into everything he does,” senior forward Natalie Ryckman said. “We all care about him so much. We get into it at times, everybody does, but nothing is ever going to diminish the friendship we have with him.
“We’ve looked up to him since we were little – and look at where we are now.”
The Blazers are now 6-0 – and ascending. They are ranked No. 10 in this week’s Associated Press Class B poll.
Kalkaska is coming off a stretch in which it won three games in four nights. That stretch was sandwiched by the signature 61-51 triumph over St. Francis, last season’s MHSAA Class C runner-up. Ryckman scored 21 points in the win.
“Unreal – one of the best nights of my life,” the 17-year-old said.
This is one of the most experienced teams Dalton has had in his 22 years as head coach. Ryckman, along with sisters Micah and Sapphire Lajewski, are four-year varsity veterans. Junior McKenzie Wilkinson is in her third year on varsity.
“We’re experienced, and I think we’re a better team than we were last season,” Micah Lajewski said.
That’s saying a lot considering the Blazers finished 20-3 a year ago. Two of the losses were to St. Francis.
“That (expectation) puts pressure on us, but we handle pressure pretty well,” Ryckman said.
All six victories this season have been by double digits.
It’s a team with a lot of integral parts.
The athletic Wilkinson leads the Blazers in scoring (15.3 points per game), rebounding (8.0) and steals (6.5). Her back story? Her parents, Jeremy and Cheri (Golden), are two of the best athletes to come out of Kalkaska. Jeremy, a recent inductee into the Northern Michigan University Sports Hall of Fame, is the head football coach. Cheri coaches seventh grade girls basketball. Both played for Dalton when they were in school.
Now it’s McKenzie’s turn.
“He (Dalton) expects a lot, which I understand,” she said. “He pushes us to the point we need to be pushed and then it’s up to us to keep it going. I like to be pushed and challenged. It makes you better.”
Wilkinson, a state powerlifting qualifier, stars on the softball field, too. She owns the school’s career home run record (14) after just two seasons.
Ryckman also is averaging in double figures (14 ppg). She wears jersey 24, the same number her great uncle, Doug, wore as a Blazer. Dalton and Doug Ryckman, an all-state player who topped 1,000 points in his career, were high school teammates.
Micah Lajewski runs the attack from her point guard position. She hit a season-high 17 in a season-opening 52-41 win over McBain, but it was her press-breaking skills and defense that proved critical in the wins over St. Francis and Gaylord. The versatile 18-year-old placed ninth in the Michigan High School Power Lifting Association finals at 145 pounds last winter and played on the football team in the fall, scoring a touchdown in a win over Mancelona.
Sapphire Lajewski, a 5-foot-10 center, went off for 16 points in a 63-18 win over Boyne City last Friday. Lajewski, who contributes nearly five rebounds per game, battled foul trouble at St. Francis, but 5-11 senior Taylor Riddle came off the bench to provide valuable minutes and hit a critical 3-pointer. Sophomore Kayla Cavanaugh and senior Sadie Wilson are stepping up as well. Each scored nine points in Monday’s 67-35 win over Gaylord. Freshman Margaret Stosio chipped in eight. German exchange student Emilia Lehmann provides additional depth, but her minutes are limited by the talent in front of her.
The keys to success at Kalkaska never change.
“We have good kids and we work hard,” Dalton said. “We put the time in.”
It’s been that way for 22 years under Dalton, whose squads are 358-118. He currently has the sixth most wins among girls basketball coaches in the northern Lower Peninsula, trailing only Johannesburg-Lewiston’s Rick Guild (443), Maple City Glen Lake’s Ted Swierad (427), Ellsworth’s Ike Boss (409), Leland’s Larry Glass (388) and Manistee’s Todd Erickson (363).
“What I’m most proud of is our consistency,” Dalton said. “There have been schools in our area that have been more dominant over a certain period, but I think we probably have the best winning percentage (75 percent) over the last 22 years.”
The Blazers, known for their perimeter shooting, are averaging nearly 17 wins a season. In the last seven years, Kalkaska has won 20 or more games five times and captured the District six times.
Dalton, who started coaching in the system in 1977, took over the girls varsity program in the mid-1990s. His first three teams went 17-4, 19-2 and 20-3. Those teams were led by his daughter Leigh Ann, Sara Vergote, Patti Larson, Shannon Martin, Kacey Corcoran and Shandy Atwood.
“That was a special group,” Dalton said.
Leigh Ann Dalton (now Roehm) went on to earn academic All-American honors at Northern Michigan University, where she is sixth in career 3-pointers despite playing just three seasons after transferring from Bowling Green. She was just named the middle school science Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Science Teachers Association and her JV team at Saline is 9-1. Vergote was a Mid-American Conference track champion in the 10K at the University of Toledo. She later became the head cross country and track coach at her alma mater and most recently was an assistant at Ohio State. Larson played at Ferris State, Martin at Cornerstone and Atwood and Corcoran at Aquinas.
All told, 16 former Blazers have gone on to play collegiately, Dalton said.
One player, Maria Kasza, came back to work as an assistant coach under Dalton for one season. She is now in her fifth season as an assistant coach at Michigan Tech, where she finished her playing career after transferring from Northern Michigan. Kasza, the school’s all-time leading scorer, led Kalkaska to its first MHSAA Regional title in more than 20 years back in 2001.
“When the players are going through the heat of the battle (they might not think about it), but when they get out of school that’s when they appreciate our program,” Blazers assistant coach Royce Thomas said. “I hear that all the time.”
Kasza will vouch for that.
“Mr. Dalton makes every player and every team feel special,” she said. “He genuinely values the relationships he builds with each team.”
Kasza said whenever she wanted to get in the gym and shoot, Dalton obliged.
“Whether that meant he had to pick me up at my house, come in before school, stay after school or work with me after softball practice, he never told me no,” Kasza recalled. “I have kids now (at Tech) who want to get into the gym, and it’s late at night, and I might not feel like going back in, but then I remember that I had a coach who never told me no and allowed me to be the player I was and the coach that I am now. I learned from him.”
Kasza has a special connection to the Dalton family. Leigh Ann, who is about six years older, was her role model.
“We have a great friendship,” she said. “When she would come home from college we would work out every day together. I wore 44 because that was Leigh Ann’s number. She even helped me make my college decision. A few weeks ago, over Christmas break, I was recruiting so I went down to see her. We have a special bond because of basketball.”
Kasza is currently coaching another former Blazer, Kelli Guy. Guy is a former all-state player, who is now in the midst of a stellar career at Tech. She was Kasza’s first recruit.
“The first thing I told my boss (head coach Kim Cameron) was that we had to go get Kelli Guy,” Kasza said.
Guy is another player Dalton spent countless hours working with, starting when she was in elementary school.
“I was an elementary PE teacher for 29 years,” Dalton said. “I got to know the kids, had the kids at (elementary basketball) camp and was able to encourage them. With Kelli Guy, I was in the gym with her since she was in third grade. She was coachable and willing (to learn).”
Even though he retired as a full-time teacher in 2010 after 33 years, Dalton still spends countless hours building ties with his players.
For a unique overnight getaway, he takes his teams to a rustic retreat lodge owned by Steve Brower, the Blazers’ announcer and a member of the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) Hall of Honor.
At school, when his players are competing in other sports, Dalton’s there to show his support.
“That’s how much he’s into his program and his kids,” said Thomas, who’s been Dalton’s assistant for 20 years. “He’s a very caring person.”
That caring goes both ways. His players, past and present, have been there for him in times of personal sorrow, most recently when his 21-year-old stepson went missing after his kayak overturned in Lake Michigan near Platte Bay last September. His body has not been found. Dalton had previously lost a son unexpectedly in 2011.
The support he’s received from those he’s coached has been a comfort.
“It’s meant a lot to me,” he said.
Dalton often refers to his players as family. They are a big part of his life and he works to create special moments for them. Four years ago, his team played at The Palace of Auburn Hills, where it beat Oak Park after trailing by 14 at the half. This past November the Blazers scrimmaged Saline at the University of Michigan’s Crisler Arena. While in Ann Arbor, Dalton took his players to Sky Zone, an indoor trampoline park. His players still talk about it.
“He goes above and beyond,” Micah Lajewski said.
Thomas, a 1976 Kalkaska graduate, became good friends with Dalton through sports. Thomas still recalls traveling to Central Michigan University to watch Chippewa basketball games with Dalton.
“That’s when they had Dan Roundfield (a three-time NBA all-star),” he said. “Man, I had never seen anything like that. That was the greatest ever.”
Thomas, whose daughter Kassie is a Blazers assistant coach and physical therapist, is vice president of operations for an oilfield company. He travels extensively, particularly to Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.
“Monday night I was on my way to Detroit for an 8 o’clock meeting (Tuesday morning) when they rescheduled it to noon,” he said. “I turned around and came back so I could be here for the (Gaylord) game.”
Thomas, who’s also in the BCAM Hall of Honor, was on the road and couldn’t attend Saturday’s showdown at St. Francis. But he was still able to be part of it.
“They had me on FaceTime so I could give a pep talk to the girls (before the game),” he said. “My daughter texted me during the game, telling me what was going on. Then she had me on the last two minutes, showing me our stall. That stall means so much to me because teams don’t protect leads like they should in high school basketball.”
Kalkaska had a good following at St. Francis, and Dalton believes it’s the best fan base in the Lake Michigan Conference, if not the north.
Before the Gaylord game, Dalton was pointing out all the loyal fans who attend every game when 98-year-old Willard Ryckman walked in.
“Here’s what Blazer Basketball is all about,” Dalton said.
Ryckman, a regular at home games, had just driven 17 miles to watch the Blazers on a night when freezing rain would cancel school the following day.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Ryckman said. “I enjoy doing it. I live alone and I love to see the kids play. Plus, I know the coach.”
“I’ve known Willard since I was 14,” the 61-year-old Dalton added. “He’s one of the classiest, nicest guys in the world.”
Kelli Guy’s family was also in the crowd Monday night. They still attend the games even though Kelli has been gone four years.
“They were at Saginaw Valley on Thursday to watch Kelli play,” Dalton said. “They drove up to Boyne City for our game Friday and then drove back down for Kelli’s game (at Wayne State) on Saturday. They were devastated they missed the (St. Francis) game. They are big supporters of our program.”
Community support has continued to build over the years.
“When I started coaching they only pulled out one side of the bleachers at the middle school,” Dalton said. “There were a few people there, mostly family and friends. By the end of that first year when we went 17-4 they had to pull out the other side. The fans kept coming and coming.”
Dalton appreciates the support and he makes sure his players do, too. The girls hand out signed, decorated miniature “gratitude” basketballs before each home game to people who are special to them.
“We’re one big happy family,” Sapphire Lajewski said. “On game nights, the spirit in the air is amazing.”
Dalton, who now teaches American history at the high school on a part-time basis, is a 1973 Kalkaska graduate. Longtime Blazers baseball coach Bill Vandergriff was his classmate. The two played Little League, middle school and high schools sports together. They were also roommates at Central Michigan University. Both retired from teaching fulltime in 2010, but kept coaching.
“Our lives have completely paralleled each other since kindergarten,” Dalton said. “We’ve been in the Kalkaska school district 55 years.”
And Dalton would not have wanted it any other way.
“I’ve been very blessed in my life,” he said. “Nobody has loved coaching more than I have. The connection you have in your heart for those kids, and that the kids have in their hearts for you, is something that you’ll always share. It never goes away. And what’s really special is that the kids become lifelong friends. And they wouldn’t have become such great friends if it wasn’t for basketball. I couldn’t have asked for a better career.”
Dennis Chase worked 32 years as a sportswriter at the Traverse City Record-Eagle, including as sports editor from 2000-14. 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) Kalkaska coach Dave Dalton calls a timeout during this season’s win Dec. 2 over McBain. (Middle) Natalie Ryckman puts up a shot in the 52-41 opening-night victory. (Below) McKenzie Wilkinson brings the ball upcourt, as Sapphire Lajewski (12) moves toward her spot on offense. (Photos courtesy of the Kalkaska athletic department.)
Breslin Bound: 2024-25 Girls Semifinals Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 19, 2025
“To be the best, you have to beat the best” couldn’t ring truer than at this time of year.
But playing the best along the way also appears to have made a difference for contenders headed to this weekend’s MHSAA Girls Basketball Semifinals.
All 16 taking the court at Breslin Center this weekend have something in common – an above-average degree of difficulty while preparing for this championship trip.
All but one contender ended the regular season with an opponents’ winning percentage above .500 – meaning the teams they played, combined, had a winning record – and the remaining field includes five teams whose schedules ranked among the toughest seven statewide by that metric. The lone outlier, Ewen-Trout Creek, played teams that still won a combined 48 percent of their regular-season games – and the Panthers still faced five of the top 25 teams in their division by Michigan Power Rating (MPR) on their way downstate.
Semifinals will be played Thursday and Friday, with all four championships games set for Saturday.
DIVISION 1 - Friday
Belleville (26-1) vs. West Bloomfield (19-8) - Noon
Wayne Memorial (21-6) vs. Rockford (26-1) - 2 p.m.
DIVISION 2 - Friday
Frankenmuth (23-4) vs. Tecumseh (25-1) - 5:30 p.m.
Grand Rapids West Catholic (23-3) vs. Detroit Edison (19-6) - 7:30 p.m.
DIVISION 3 - Thursday
Calumet (22-5) vs. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest (20-6) - Noon
Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (15-12) vs. Niles Brandywine (27-0) - 2 p.m.
DIVISION 4 - Thursday
Ewen-Tout Creek (26-1) vs. Concord (21-6) - 5:30 p.m.
Fowler (25-2) vs. Genesee Christian (24-2) - 7:30 p.m.
Finals – Saturday
Division 1 - 12:15 p.m.
Division 2 - 6:15 p.m.
Division 3 - 4 p.m.
Division 4 - 10 a.m.
Tickets for this weekend’s games are $12 for both Semifinals and Finals and available via the Breslin Center ticket office; for information and links visit the Girls Basketball page.
All Semifinals will be broadcast and viewable with subscription on MHSAA.tv, and all four Finals will air live on the FanDuel Sports Network primary channel. Audio broadcasts of all Semifinals and Finals will be available free of charge from the MHSAA Network.
The Girls Basketball Semifinals & Finals are sponsored by Michigan Achievement Scholarship/MI Student Aid.
Here’s a look at the 16 semifinalists (with rankings by MPR and statistics through Regional Finals):
Division 1
BELLEVILLE
Record/rank: 26-1, No. 3
League finish: Tied for first in Kensington Lakes Activities Association East
Coach: Jason Wilkins, fifth season (91-20)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 59-54 over No. 18 DeWitt in Quarterfinal, 65-35 over No. 20 Hartland in Regional Final, 79-40 over No. 13 Dexter in Regional Semifinal, 70-48 over No. 19 Northville, 62-38 over No. 9 Wayne Memorial, 84-49 over No. 14 West Bloomfield, 54-40 over Division 2 No. 5 Detroit Edison, 72-56 over Division 2 No. 7 Parma Western, 46-45 over Division 2 No. 1 Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard.
Players to watch: Sydney Savoury, 6-0 soph. G (26.6 ppg, 53 3-pointers, 5.4 rpg, 3.8 apg, 5.2 spg); Se’Crette Carter, 5-8 jr. G (19.2 ppg, 41 3-pointers); Paisley Stephens, 5-8 fr. G (11.2 ppg, 5.3 apg, 3.5 spg).
Outlook: After making its first Semifinal trip last season, Belleville is making its second straight and with four starters back from last year’s run. Savoury remains arguably the best sophomore in the state and certainly among the top players overall, and guard Rylan Buschell (8.0 ppg, 4.7 apg, 3.9 spg) and 6-0 center Iyana Stephens are the team’s only seniors although both start. Belleville’s only loss was to Wayne, and the Tigers avenged it two weeks later.
WAYNE MEMORIAL
Record/rank: 21-6, No. 9
League finish: Tied for first in Kensington Lakes Activities Association East
Coach: Jarvis Mitchell, 11th season (192-69)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 55-37 over No. 8 Temperance Bedford in Quarterfinal, 51-47 over No. 2 Detroit Renaissance in Regional Final, 55-43 over No. 6 Farmington Hills Mercy in Regional Semifinal, 63-51 over No. 22 Howell, 57-52 over No. 3 Belleville, 60-57 over Division 2 No. 21 Goodrich.
Players to watch: Mariah Cross, 5-3 jr. G (19.4 ppg); Morgan Smith, 5-5 jr. G (11.3 ppg); Colleena Bryant, 5-6 sr. PG (17.2 ppg).
Outlook: This will be Wayne’s first trip to the Semifinals since 2022 and fourth over the last seven seasons (not counting COVID-shortened 2020). The Zebras are the only team to defeat Belleville, and their three in-state losses (Belleville, Rockford, Detroit Edison) were to teams still playing this weekend. Bryant made the Division 1 all-state second team last season and was a Miss Basketball Award finalist this week; she’s committed to continue at Drexel.
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Record/rank: 19-8, No. 14
League finish: Second in Oakland Activities Association Red
Coach: Darrin McAllister, fourth season (91-12)
Championship history: Division 1 champions 2024 and 2022, Division 1 runner-up 2023, Class A runner-up 1989.
Best wins: 57-35 over No. 12 Utica Ford in Quarterfinal, 47-42 (Regional Final) and 44-43 over No. 15 Clarkston, 41-36 over No. 10 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s in District Final, 57-24 over No. 31 Detroit Cass Tech, 47-32 over No. 27 Detroit Mumford.
Players to watch: Sheridan Beal, 5-7 jr. G (16 ppg, 54 3-pointers); Breasia Gamble-Jones, 5-8 sr. G/F (9.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg); Ava Lord, 5-8 sr. G (8.4 ppg).
Outlook: West Bloomfield is making its fourth-straight trip to Finals weekend, and this one was perhaps the least expected and arguably most impressive. The Lakers returned one starter from last year’s championship team and graduated major contributors (including two 2024 all-staters) who contributed heavily to the last three Breslin runs, but have won 16 of their last 19 games and taken losses from five opponents that went on to win at least District titles. Junior 6-0 forward Londyn Hall adds another 8.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
ROCKFORD
Record/rank: 26-1, No. 1
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Coach: Brad Wilson, 12th season (215-67)
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2023.
Best wins: 54-49 (Quarterfinal), 45-34 and 60-48 over No. 5 Grand Haven; 81-40 over No. 24 Traverse City Central in Regional Final, 54-31 over No. 4 Saginaw Heritage in Regional Semifinal, 52-35 over No. 22 Howell, 62-45 over No. 9 Wayne Memorial, 57-45 and 70-41 over No. 21 Hudsonville, 45-36 over Division 2 No. 4 Frankenmuth, 51-45 over Division 2 No. 2 Tecumseh, 71-36 over Division 2 No. 9 Haslett.
Players to watch: Anna Wypych, 6-0 sr. G (21.8 ppg, 85 3-pointers); Addison Wypych, 5-10 fr. G (9.2 ppg, 40 3-pointers, 3.5 apg); Kate Higgins, 6-0 jr. C (8.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg).
Outlook: This also will be the fourth-straight trip to Finals weekend for the Rams, who fell to West Bloomfield last season in overtime in their Semifinal but have three starters back from that game in Anna Wypych, Higgins and Jordan Mateer (5.8 ppg, 33 3-pointers). Wypych was named the Miss Basketball Award winner Monday and has signed with Butler. She made the all-state first team last season, and junior guard Sienna Wolfe (6.0 ppg) earned an honorable mention despite missing the end of last season with an injury. Rockford’s only loss this winter was to Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (24-2) on Dec. 14.
Division 2
DETROIT EDISON
Record/rank: 19-6, No. 5
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Coach: Monique Brown, 13th season (233-53)
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2024).
Best wins: 59-48 over No. 13 Detroit Country Day in Quarterfinal, 55-40 over No. 8 Chelsea, 52-40 over Division 1 No. 14 West Bloomfield, 61-42 over Division 1 No. 11 Utica Eisenhower, 54-46 over Division 1 No. 15 Clarkston, 48-46 (OT) over Division 1 No. 9 Wayne Memorial, 65-44 over Division 3 No. 10 Kalamazoo Christian.
Players to watch: Isis Johnson-Musah, 5-8 sr. G (17.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.7 spg); Nichole James, 6-2 soph. F (8.4 ppg); Rihanna Young, 5-7 soph. G (7.7 ppg).
Outlook: Edison has won two of the last three Division 2 championships, and Johnson-Musah and James started in last season’s championship game. Johnson-Musah was a Miss Basketball Award finalist and made the all-state first team last season, and has committed to continue at Cal-Berkeley. Senior forward Pria Johnson-Musah (5.2 ppg) has moved from key sub last year to starter, and junior 6-0 forward Marianna Jones (6.8 ppg, 5.0 rpg) also saw time in last season’s Final and is providing big minutes off the bench again.
FRANKENMUTH
Record/rank: 23-4, No. 4
League finish: Tied for first in Tri-Valley Conference Red
Coach: Joe Jacobs, fifth season (110-15)
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 1996), five runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 56-36 over No. 16 Gladstone in Quarterfinal, 41-27 over No. 29 Portland in Regional Final, 53-44 (Regional Semifinal) and 60-33 and over No. 6 Freeland, 52-41 over No. 5 Detroit Edison, 45-39 over No. 21 Goodrich, 65-39 over No. 13 Detroit Country Day, 56-50 over No 26 Flint Powers Catholic, 39-31 over Division 1 No. 4 Saginaw Heritage, 47-40 over Division 1 No. 10 Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.
Players to watch: Clare Conzelmann, 5-11 sr. G (16.4 ppg, 70 3-pointers); Macy Donovan, 6-0 fr. G (10.7 ppg); Isabelle Bernthal, 5-7 sr. F (9.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg).
Outlook: Frankenmuth finished Division 2 runner-up two seasons ago with Conzelmann, Bernthal and senior guard/forward Rosemary Brenner starting as sophomores, and they’ve helped key this return run to Breslin that’s included avenging a season-opening one-point loss to Portland and defeating league rival Freeland for a second time after they shared the TVC Red title. The other two defeats came to Division 1 opponents Midland Dow and Rockford. Sophomore Lucy Conzelmann has joined her older sister as a perimeter standout with 31 3-pointers off the bench.
GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 23-3, No. 10
League finish: Tied for first in O-K Gold
Coach: Derek Paiz, first season (23-3)
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 1990), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 39-37 (Quarterfinal) and 62-49 over No. 14 Grand Rapids South Christian, 62-55 (Regional Final) and 59-35 over No. 30 Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 57-46 over Division 1 No. 21 Hudsonville.
Players to watch: Elisha Dykstra, 6-0 sr. G (10.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.2 apg); Anna Ignatoski, 5-7 sr. G (13.6 ppg, 45 3-pointers); Alexis Asekomeh, 5-11 soph. F (13.5 ppg, 8.2 rpg).
Outlook: Dykstra is a four-year starter and has helped West Catholic reach Finals weekend all four with a combined record of 100-8 over those seasons; she will continue at Toledo. Asekomeh also started in last season’s two-point Semifinal loss to Father Gabriel Richard, and senior guard Paige Seely-London (6.0 ppg) played more than half the game off the bench and has seen the floor at Breslin the last three years as well. Ignatoski was a top sub when West Catholic finished Division 2 runner-up in 2022. Freshman guard Kenley Slanger adds 8.7 points and 3.2 steals per game.
TECUMSEH
Record/rank: 25-1, No. 2
League finish: First in Southeastern Conference White
Coach: Kristy Zajac, eighth season (135-44)
Championship history: Class B champion 1974, Class B runner-up 1975.
Best wins: 61-53 over No. 21 Goodrich in Quarterfinal, 50-39 over No. 1 Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard in Regional Final, 74-29 (Regional Semifinal) and 76-44 over No. 27 Carleton Airport, 56-39 and 53-41 over No. 8 Chelsea, 70-65 (2OT) over No. 5 Detroit Edison, 72-40 over Division 1 No. 19 Northville, 58-32 over Division 1 No. 14 West Bloomfield, 52-39 over Division 1 No. 8 Temperance Bedford, 66-45 over Division 3 No. 18 Jackson Lumen Christi, 70-38 over Division 3 No. 13 Blissfield.
Players to watch: Alli Zajac, 6-2 sr. F (14.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg); Makayla Schlorf, 5-3 jr. G (12 ppg, 32 3-pointers, 3.1 apg); Addi Zajac, 6-0 soph. C (13.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.1 bpg).
Outlook: Tecumseh is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since that runner-up season of 1975, and with its only loss Jan. 11 against Rockford. The win over Father Gabriel Richard last week avenged a Quarterfinal defeat from a year ago. Alli Zajac made the all-state first team last season and Addi Zajac earned an honorable mention, and Alli also was a Miss Basketball Award finalist this season and has signed with Eastern Michigan – where her mother and coach Kristy remains one of the all-time leading scorers. Junior Chloe Bullinger (9.2 ppg, 3.7 apg) and senior Ashlyn Moorehead (9.0 ppg. 4.3 apg) combine with Schlorf for a playmaking backcourt.
Division 3
CALUMET
Record/rank: 22-5, No. 16
League finish: First in Westen Peninsula Athletic Conference West
Coach: Charlie Kemppainen, third season (49-21)
Championship history: Class C champion 2015.
Best wins: 48-33 over No. 15 Sanford Meridian in Quarterfinal, 64-39 over No. 21 Manton in Regional Final, 51-43 (District Final) and 53-32 over No. 20 Ishpeming, 54-45 and 48-41 over Division 2 No. 35 Houghton.
Players to watch: Jackie Kiilunen, 5-8 sr. G (14 ppg, 5.0 rpg); Kiirsi Johnson, 5-5 jr. G (10.7 ppg, 31 3-pointers); Baily Strom, 5-6 soph. G (8.7 ppg).
Outlook: Calumet was 11-12 just a year ago but has doubled that win total to return to the Semifinals for the second time in five seasons. The Copper Kings have won 13 straight games with three of their five losses to Division 2 Negaunee or Gladstone and the other two to strong Division 4 teams Baraga and L’Anse. Calumet’s defense has been stifling; opponents have scored only 38.6 points per game, and 37.6 during the playoffs. Five players are averaging at least one steal per game, with Kiilunen leading at nearly three per contest.
NILES BRANDYWINE
Record/rank: 27-0, No. 3
League finish: First in Lakeland Conference
Coach: Josh Hood, 16th season (347-36)
Championship history: Division 3 runner-up 2024.
Best wins: 45-32 over No. 10 Kalamazoo Christian in Regional Final, 60-32 (Regional Semifinal) and 69-37 over No. 22 Bronson, 66-21 (District Final) and 63-13 over No. 31 White Pigeon, 53-24 over No. 17 Lawton, 45-28 over Division 2 No. 15 Vicksburg.
Players to watch: Adeline Gill, 5-9 sr. F (12.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg); Adelyn Drotoz, 5-7 sr. G (8.5 ppg, 53 3-pointers); Miley Young, 5-6 sr. G (8.9 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.1 spg).
Outlook: Brandywine is a combined 74-5 over the last three seasons as it seeks a first championship, and the three players noted above all started in last season’s Final as the Bobcats came up just short, 33-30, against Arbor Prep. Brandywine’s run this winter also has included a Quarterfinal victory over 20-win Grandville Calvin Christian and a combined four wins over Stevensville Lakeshore, Berrien Springs and Centreville – which all finished with 17 this season. Despite a tough schedule including several larger schools, Brandywine is giving up only 26 points per game – and 24.2 during the postseason.
ROCHESTER HILLS LUTHERAN NORTHWEST
Record/rank: 20-6, No. 26
League finish: First in Michigan Independent Athletic Conference Blue
Coach: Jimmy Mehlberg, 11th season (166-79)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 35-19 over No. 14 Sandusky in Quarterfinal, 58-46 over No. 37 Detroit Pershing in Regional Final, 55-37 and 55-34 over No. 49 Plymouth Christian Academy, 49-19 and 60-17 over Division 4 No. 40 Auburn Hills Oakland Christian.
Players to watch: Addie Troska, jr. F (10.2 ppg); Morgan Griswold, sr. G (7.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.0 apg); Keaira Spiehs, soph. C (8.5 ppg, 8.8 rpg). (Heights not submitted.)
Outlook: After winning a Regional title and then advancing to the Semifinals last season for the first time, Lutheran Northwest has achieved those feats for a second straight. Spiehs, Griswold, Paige Macavage (6.4 ppg) and Charlotte Gramzow (6.0 ppg) all started in last season’s Semifinal, and Troska is one of five more returning players who came off the bench in that game. Another strong defensive team, Lutheran Northwest is allowing only 32.2 points per game this season and 28.6 during the playoffs – and will graduate only one starter and three players total this spring.
YPSILANTI ARBOR PREP
Record/rank: 15-12, No. 42
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Coach: Scott Stine, eighth season (156-47)
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2024), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 31-28 over No. 18 Jackson Lumen Christi in Quarterfinal, 32-28 over No. 13 Blissfield in Regional Final, 42-24 over No. 44 Allen Park Cabrini in Regional Semifinal, 47-30 over Division 2 No. 52 Croswell-Lexington.
Players to watch: Angela Meggisson, 5-9 jr. G; Eliza Bush, 5-6 sr. G. (Statistics not submitted.)
Outlook: Arbor Prep certainly has defied expectations in returning to Breslin, even as the reigning champion. The Gators graduated multiple all-staters last spring, then lost anticipated top player Autumn Pernell to a season-ending injury before this one started, and also began 3-8 before finding their stride. Arbor Prep’s most impressive wins have been their most recent two, but the Gators also took losses from several top Division 1 and 2 teams and will be prepared for this weekend. Bush is a four-year varsity player, and Meggisson was a top sub last season and now is the leading scorer.
Division 4
CONCORD
Record/rank: 22-4, No. 4
League finish: Tied for first in Big 8 Conference
Coach: ArShawn Parker, second season (42-10)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 35-34 over No. 16 Portland St. Patrick in Regional Final, 49-32 over No. 27 Adrian Lenawee Christian, 45-27 over No. 32 Hillsdale Academy, 49-46 over Division 3 No. 22 Bronson.
Players to watch: Cieara Barrett, 5-7 jr. G (10.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.5 spg); Bradie Lehman, 5-5 soph. G (13.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.2 apg, 4.5 spg); Grace Thorrez, 6-2 sr. F/C (14.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.9 bpg).
Outlook: Concord was coming off two straight sub-.500 finishes when Parker took over the program, and he’s led the Yellowjackets to more than 20 wins both seasons under his direction. This will be the program’s second trip to the Semifinals, and first since 2012. Lehman earned an all-state honorable mention last season and is among offensive leaders of a group that also includes senior guard Hannah Stimer (8.4 ppg, 42 3-pointers). The good times should continue as well as there are only three seniors, although Thorrez obviously provides an impact in the post.
EWEN-TROUT CREEK
Record/rank: 26-1, No. 10
League finish: First in Copper Mountain Conference
Coach: Jacky Besonen, 14th season (171-129)
Championship history: Class D champion 1973, Class D runner-up 1985 and 1974.
Best wins: 47-37 over No. 1 St. Ignace in Quarterfinal, 37-27 (Regional Semifinal) and 49-40 over No. 25 Hancock, 61-37 over No. 18 L’Anse, 61-34 over No. 24 Baraga, 56-41 over No. 23 Lake Linden-Hubbell, 40-26 over Division 2 No. 35 Houghton.
Players to watch: Bree Besonen, fr. G (16.9 ppg, 37 3-pointers, 4.5 apg); Emma Besonen, 5-1 jr. G (12.3 ppg, 60 3-pointers, 3.2 apg); Irelynd McGeshick, 5-10 jr. C (16.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.2 bpg).
Outlook: Ewen-Trout Creek had won eight league and five District titles under mid-1990s standout Jacky Besonen, but last week’s Regional title was the first since 2005 and this run to the Semifinals the first since 1986. And this team has no seniors and only three juniors, so anticipation should remain high. The Panthers’ only loss was to Division 2 Negaunee, on Dec. 27. Emma Besonen earned an all-state honorable mention last season. Freshman forward McKayla Basel is another top offensive contributor at 8.5 ppg.
FOWLER
Record/rank: 25-2, No. 3
League finish: Second in Central Michigan Athletic Conference
Coach: Nathan Goerge, 15th season (227-128)
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), two runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 64-21 over No. 13 Frankfort in Quarterfinal, 57-36 over No. 5 Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart in Regional Final, 62-21 over No. 29 Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Regional Semifinal, 63-24 and 63-24 over No. 22 Lansing Christian, 45-33 and 43-35 over No. 16 Portland St. Patrick, 46-45 over Division 1 No. 34 Holt, 62-32 over Division 2 No. 23 Alma.
Players to watch: Katie Spicer, 5-7 sr. G (12.5 ppg, 44 3-pointers, 4.5 apg, 3.2 spg); Brooke Weber, 5-8 sr. F (9.8 ppg, 70 3-pointers); Elizabeth Hufnagel, 5-4 sr. G (9.9 ppg, 4.4 spg).
Outlook: The Eagles won Division 4 titles in 2021 and 2022 and have played in the Semifinals the last two seasons as well, with Spicer and Hufnagel seeing time in the 2023 Semifinal and Spicer, sophomore Isabella Halfmann (7.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.2 spg) and Weber starting during last year’s appearance while Hufnagel played more than half the game off the bench. Spicer made the all-state first team last season, but she’s the leading scorer among six players averaging at least seven points per game. Selena Stump (7.1) had made 52 3-pointers entering the week, and Paige Thelen (7.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg) is another returning contributor. Both losses came to Division 3 Pewamo-Westphalia (25-1).
GENESEE CHRISTIAN
Record/rank: 24-2, No. 8
League finish: Does not play in a conference.
Coach: DJ Boike, 19th season (257-158)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 31-22 over No. 4 Morenci in Quarterfinal, 45-40 over No. 2 Kingston in Regional Final, 42-26 over No. 7 Clarkston Everest Collegiate in District Final, 46-16 over No. 40 Auburn Hills Oakland Christian, 59-34 over No. 29 Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 43-29 over Division 3 No. 27 Ovid-Elsie, 27-21 over Division 3 No. 42 Ypsilanti Arbor Prep.
Players to watch: Haven Chapman, 5-11 sr. F (20.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.8 apg, 4.2 spg, 1.3 bpg); Bella Boike, 5-3 jr. G (9.7 ppg); Reagan Gardner, fr. G (7.5 ppg).
Outlook: After winning 12 District titles under DJ Boike, Genesee Christian broke through for a second Regional championship and first trip to the Semifinals – and made this run while facing one of the tougher paths of any team in any division. Chapman has become the program’s all-time leading scorer along the way and made the all-state second team last season. The Soldiers have won 13 straight games, with their losses to Adrian Lenawee Christian and Division 2 Flint Hamady (20-2). Four players entered the week with at least 20 3-pointers, led by Gardner’s 26.
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PHOTOS (Top) Rockford's Anna Wypych (2) launches a jumper during her team's Quarterfinal win over Grand Haven. (Middle) Grand Rapids West Catholic's Charli Tuttle (24) maintains possession during her team's Regional Final victory over Spring Lake. (Photos by Tim Reilly.)