Breslin Bound: 2023-24 Girls Regional Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 11, 2024
We’re a week into this season’s girls basketball playoffs, with two weeks to go, and already our Breslin Center field is beginning to change up significantly from a year ago.
Last week’s Districts saw six of last season’s semifinalists – including the reigning Division 3 champion and Division 4 runner-up – finish their runs in this year’s tournament. Two more of those 2023 semifinalists are set to meet in a Regional Semifinal tonight, and several more face season-defining matchups over the next three days – and we detail some of those as we glance at three Regionals in each division below.
Ticket information, brackets and more can be found on the Girls Basketball page. To watch any of several games online, visit the NFHS Network.
“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. Sanford Meridian 59, Hemlock 47 In defeating the reigning Division 3 champion Huskies (18-6), the Mustangs (22-1) continued one of the most impressive program turnarounds over the last half-decade; they were winless five years ago but have reached 20 victories all of the last three seasons.
2. Byron Center 47, East Kentwood 44 This was a matchup of Ottawa-Kent Conference division champions, and Byron Center (20-4) avenged a 58-52 season-opening loss to the Falcons (20-4).
3. Fowler 64, Portland St. Patrick 58 These rivals had split their regular-season series, as the Shamrocks (21-3) had won the middle meeting and the Central Michigan Athletic Conference title – but the Eagles (21-3) advanced to this week.
4. Grand Rapids West Catholic 43, Grand Rapids Catholic Central 36 This was another matchup of O-K Conference division winners, as West Catholic (23-1) added to its six-point win over the Cougars (17-7) from December.
5. Vicksburg 69, Paw Paw 57 These two also split during the regular season, with Vicksburg (21-2) winning the last two meetings to first clinch the Wolverine Conference title and this time end Paw Paw’s season at 21-3.
Regionals at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold:
DIVISION 1
Bloomfield Hills Marian
Grosse Pointe North (19-5) vs. Royal Oak (18-6)
Detroit Renaissance (21-3) vs. West Bloomfield (22-1)
Both Renaissance and West Bloomfield reached last season’s Division 1 Semifinals, but didn’t meet – Renaissance fell to Rockford to start the weekend before the Rams defeated West Bloomfield in the championship game the following day. The winner of their Regional Semifinal tonight will be the likely favorite to return to East Lansing from this quarter of the statewide bracket. West Bloomfield’s only loss was to an Ohio opponent, and Renaissance lost only to Detroit Edison (18-3), Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (24-0) and Tecumseh (20-4). Grosse Pointe North and Royal Oak are intriguing spoilers with great storylines, however; GPN was a Regional champion last year that ran into Renaissance in the Quarterfinals, and Royal Oak has enjoyed a memorable rise from three wins only two seasons ago.
Mason
Holt (16-8) vs. DeWitt (22-2)
Portage Central (19-2) vs. Coldwater (21-3)
This Regional features a pair of league champions – DeWitt and Portage Central – and Central opened this season by winning its first 16 games, although the Mustangs did lose their regular-season finale to Coldwater, 44-28 on Feb. 29. The Cardinals are a repeat District champ after finishing runner-up to Jackson Northwest in the Interstate 8 Athletic Conference, and their win over the Mounties on Feb. 6 started a current eight-game winning streak. Holt and DeWitt are plenty familiar with each other on the other side of the bracket, the Panthers winning their matchups 52-37 and 54-41 in clinching the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue while the Rams tied for second place. DeWitt has some added motivation as well after falling to Holt in last season’s Regional Final. Holt and Coldwater also faced off earlier this season, with Coldwater winning 40-33 on Jan. 5.
Milford
Grand Blanc (19-4) vs. Howell (17-7)
Clarkston (18-6) vs. White Lake Lakeland (20-4)
After a first-game playoff exit a year ago, Lakeland is coming off its third District title in four seasons and seeking its first Regional championship to add as well to a shared Lakes Valley Conference title this winter. After winning the Saginaw Valley League for the first time, Grand Blanc also could take another next step as it seeks to follow up its fourth-straight District championship by winning what would be a first Regional title since 1977. Howell is a league champion as well, from the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West, and a return District champ. The Highlanders and Clarkston faced off Dec. 15, with the Wolves winning 51-48. Clarkston tied for second in the Oakland Activities Association Red, won by West Bloomfield, but avenged a Feb. 13 loss to Lake Orion in defeating the Dragons 41-40 in their District Final on Friday.
DIVISION 2
Alma
Alma (19-5) vs. Flint Powers Catholic (21-3)
Frankenmuth (22-2) vs. Freeland (21-3)
Powers finished third in the Saginaw Valley League to Grand Blanc and Midland Dow, losing only to those two Division 1 rivals and Division 3 contender Ypsilanti Arbor Prep, and is joined this week by the top three teams from the Tri-Valley Conference Red – champion Frankenmuth, runner-up Freeland and third-place Alma. The Eagles, last season’s Division 2 runners-up, defeated Freeland 53-51 and 54-49 this winter and Alma 57-44 and 58-18 – and also defeated Freeland in last year’s Regional Final. Alma dealt the Falcons their only other loss this season, 62-49 on Feb. 6 to avenge a 29-point loss from Jan. 9.
Charlotte
Tecumseh (20-4) vs. Parma Western (15-9)
Lansing Catholic (19-5) vs. Haslett (18-7)
The Cougars are the reigning Division 2 champions and on a nice run with seven wins over their last eight games, the only loss to Frankenmuth, and last week’s 56-37 District Final win over Portland avenging a seven-point loss to the Raiders from Feb. 13. Lansing Catholic also defeated Haslett 48-37 on Feb. 6, but the Vikings also are on an impressive streak of seven straight wins including a 69-68 overtime victory over Chelsea last week followed by a 56-43 win over Williamston that avenged two regular-season defeats. Haslett also defeated Parma Western 53-39 during this late surge, but the Panthers otherwise have won eight of their last 10 games. They did fall to Tecumseh 59-37 on Dec. 12, and Tecumseh has won 17 of its last 18 games – the lone loss during that string to Chelsea, but with notable wins over Detroit Renaissance and Jackson Northwest at the end of the regular season.
Goodrich
Armada (16-3) vs. Goodrich (24-0)
Warren Regina (12-13) vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (23-0)
At least one team will end the season this week with its lone loss. Goodrich’s last defeat came in a Semifinal at Breslin Center a year ago, and half its wins during this regular season were over teams that finished with 14 victories or more heading into the playoffs. Armada finished second in the Blue Water Area Conference but won its District by avenging a loss to league champ Yale in a big way, 49-29. St. Mary’s opened this season with a 51-42 win over Warren Regina and went on to win the Catholic High School League AA and Cardinal Tournament championships. Regina had a rough start this winter but has won eight straight and defeated Macomb Area Conference Gold champion Marine City 49-35 in its District Final.
DIVISION 3
Onsted
Allen Park Cabrini (10-13) vs. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (20-4)
Brooklyn Columbia Central (15-8) vs. Blissfield (22-2)
A Blissfield/Arbor Prep meeting in the Regional Final would be a rematch of last year’s won by Blissfield 50-38 on the way to finishing Division 3 runner-up. Blissfield’s only losses since were to Tecumseh and Niles Brandywine this winter, and the Royals have won 16 straight games. Blissfield also opened with a 57-42 win over Columbia Central, which went on to win the Cascades Conference West. Arbor Prep readied for this run with a regular-season schedule filled with Division 1 and 2 opponents, and the Gators’ only losses were to Division 1 Jackson Northwest and Division 2 Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard, Detroit Edison and Detroit Country Day. Cabrini has surged late to win a third District in a row.
St. Ignace
West Iron County (14-11) vs. Harbor Springs (22-2)
Elk Rapids (22-2) vs. Roscommon (17-7)
Harbor Springs and Elk Rapids shared the Lake Michigan Conference championship, Elk Rapids winning the first meeting 61-51 and Harbor Springs the rematch 48-41 on Jan. 30. Elk Rapids also won their District Final matchup a year ago on the way to the Quarterfinals. Roscommon could throw off the rematch scenario, emerging from a tie for fourth in the Highland Conference, which sent three teams into this week. West Iron also brings some intrigue with nine wins over its last 11 games including a 52-42 District Semifinal victory over Calumet that avenged one of the losses during this recent run.
Sanford Meridian
Manton (19-5) vs. Lake City (22-2)
Sanford Meridian (22-1) vs. Morley Stanwood (19-4)
Sanford Meridian might be riding as high as any team in the state after avenging its 2023 District loss with a 59-47 win over reigning Division 3 champion Hemlock to close last week. Lake City and Manton finished first and second, respectively, in a Highland Conference that produced three District champions, and Lake City won their matchups 68-34 and 39-27 and also owns a 49-37 win over Morley Stanwood from Jan. 3. Four of Manton’s five defeats were to eventual District winners, and the fifth to a team that reached its title game last week. Morley Stanwood won the Central State Activities Association and defeated TVC White champion St. Louis in another notable District Final.
DIVISION 4
Marquette (for Regional Final)
Ewen-Trout Creek (19-5) vs. Lake Linden-Hubbell (23-1) at Houghton
Ishpeming (23-1) vs. Carney-Nadeau (18-6) at Kingsford
Lake Linden-Hubbell is seeking its first Regional title, and Ishpeming its first since 1985 – and there are challenges on both sides of the bracket. Carney-Nadeau is a league champion, from the Skyline Central Conference Small schools division, and Ewen-Trout Creek finished third to 2023 Division 4 champion Baraga and Lake Linden-Hubbell in the Copper Mountain Conference, pushing the Lakes in a 59-55 overtime game Jan. 11. Lake Linden-Hubbell’s lone defeat was to Baraga (19-5), while Ishpeming’s was to Division 2 Negaunee (23-1).
Mendon
Concord (19-5) vs. Colon (22-2)
St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran (10-14) vs. Mendon (21-3)
Colon won the Southern Central Athletic Association West thanks in part to 54-31 and 51-47 wins over runner-up Mendon, and the Magi defeated Concord 61-47 on Feb. 24. Colon and Mendon also have met during the postseason the last four years, with Colon winning three of those meetings. Mendon’s only other loss this winter was to Division 1 Sturgis, 43-38, while Concord’s other four were to larger schools as the Yellow Jackets finished second in the Big 8 Conference. Michigan Lutheran won its third District title over the last four seasons edging Three Oaks River Valley 30-29 in last week’s decider.
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart
Bay City All Saints (19-5) vs. Breckenridge (18-6)
Brethren (19-5) vs. Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (21-3)
This Regional includes a pair of league champions. All Saints won the North Central Thumb League Stripes and navigated a competitive District with wins of two and three points to advance. Brethren was the West Michigan D League champion and advanced with wins over a pair of league opponents, including 48-36 over WMDL runner-up Manistee Catholic Central in the District Final. Breckenridge and Sacred Heart played together in the Mid-State Activities Conference and finished third and second, respectively, to St. Charles. If the MSAC rivals meet again, it will be noted that Sacred Heart won their first matchup 50-34 and the Huskies the second 40-24 on Feb. 7
MHSAA.com's weekly “Breslin Bound” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTOS (Top) Negaunee's Callie Rajala goes up for a shot while being defended by Ishpeming Westwood's Lexi Olson during the Miners’ 65-33 win Dec. 21. (Middle) Goodrich moves the ball upcourt during its second of three wins over Lake Fenton this season, 61-48 on Feb. 16. (Top photo by Cara Kamps; middle photo by Terry Lyons.)
Breslin Bound: 2024-25 Girls District Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 3, 2025
Nearly 700 Michigan girls basketball teams will begin their quests this week to finish as one of four holding up championship trophies three weeks from now at Michigan State University.
We always switch up our “Breslin Bound” format once the MHSAA Tournament starts, as last week’s most intriguing results below are followed this time by glances at three District brackets of note in each division. Host sites are bolded, and teams playing in those brackets are listed by seed as determined by Michigan Power Ratings (MPR).
Everything you could want to know this week about tickets, brackets and more can be found on the Girls Basketball page. To watch any of several games online, visit the NFHS Network.
“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid 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. Farmington Hills Mercy 61, Detroit Edison 58 This win over the reigning Division 2 champion Pioneers (14-6) combined with a Thursday win over Detroit University Prep sent Mercy (17-4) from No. 15 to No. 6 in final Division 1 MPR.
2. Negaunee 58, Gladstone 44 The Miners (21-0) completed a perfect regular season, and Gladstone finished 20-2 with its only losses to Negaunee.
3. Jackson Lumen Christi 59, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 53 The Titans (15-6) handed the Kestrels (21-1) their lone defeat of the regular season.
4. Belleville 70, Northville 48 Bellville (21-1) repeated as overall Kensington Lakes Activities Association champion, following up on its shared title in the East by downing West winner Northville (14-8).
5. Freeland 51, Midland 49 (OT) The co-champion of the Tri-Valley Conference Red, Freeland (19-3) earned another boost into the postseason by downing Saginaw Valley League winner Midland (18-3).
Districts at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold, and teams are listed by seed:
DIVISION 1
Hartland
1. Howell (16-6), 2. Hartland (17-5), 3. Brighton (12-10), 4. Milford (13-9), 5. Fenton (12-10).
It wouldn’t be a stretch to see any of these teams shake up the bracket. Howell finished second in the KLAA West and Hartland third, and Brighton fifth, and Hartland actually moved past Howell in MPR after seeding with wins last week over White Lake Lakeland and Livonia Stevenson. Howell did sweep Hartland during the regular season; Hartland split with Brighton, and Howell swept Brighton. Milford finished fifth in the Lakes Valley Conference but defeated Midland Dow early, LVC co-champion Lakeland in their second meeting and lost a pair to the other co-champ South Lyon by a combined seven points. Fenton finished third in the Flint Metro League Stripes.
Midland Dow
1. Midland (18-3), 2. Midland Dow (14-8), 3. Mount Pleasant (15-6), 4. Cadillac (15-6), 5. Bay City Western (11-11).
SVL champion Midland tops a bracket that also includes league rivals Mount Pleasant (tied for third), Dow (tied for fifth) and Western (tied for seventh) – and the Chemics defeated possible Friday opponents Dow by three and 15 and the Oilers by eight during the regular season. Cadillac was the runner-up in the Big North Conference and had won nine straight – including a 43-40 victory last week over Mount Pleasant – before falling to Bay City Western 37-26 on Thursday. Those two open against each other tonight.
West Bloomfield
1. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (17-4), 2. West Bloomfield (14-8), 3. White Lake Lakeland (16-6), 4. Walled Lake Northern (14-8), 5. Walled Lake Central (1-21).
Reigning Division 1 champion West Bloomfield fell off the radar a bit early with a 1-4 start, but is 11-3 over the last seven weeks and finished second in the Oakland Activities Association Red – and defeated champion Clarkston 44-43 last week to avenge an earlier 48-41 loss. All of the Lakers’ losses came against opponents that have won at least 14 games. St. Mary’s shared the Catholic High School League Central West title with Mercy, and its four losses were to opponents that have all won at least 16 games. Lakeland was co-champion in the LVC and Northern finished fourth, and Lakeland’s losses also came against a tough slate as well, as all of those opponents were at least 12-game winners.
DIVISION 2
Chelsea
1. Chelsea (16-4), 2. Parma Western (20-2), 3. Michigan Center (19-2), 4. Brooklyn Columbia Central (11-10), 5. Pinckney (14-8).
Western and Columbia Central are league champions, Chelsea and Michigan Center league runners-up, and Pinckney third from a strong Southeastern Conference White that included Chelsea and one of the overall Division 2 favorites in Tecumseh. Western actually moved past Chelsea in MPR after seeding, with its only losses to league champions Belleville and Grass Lake and a win over another title winner Haslett last week plus Edison on Jan. 23. Chelsea’s losses were to Edison on Thursday, Tecumseh twice and another overall favorite in Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard. Michigan Center’s only defeats were twice to Grass Lake.
Escanaba or Higher Seed (non-traditional)
1. Negaunee (21-0), 2. Gladstone (20-2), 3. Houghton (13-9), 4. Escanaba (9-12), 5. Kingsford (10-11).
The Miners reached the Division 2 Semifinals last season and have won District titles the last three seasons. And as noted above, Negaunee defeated Gladstone last week for the second time, and both of Gladstone’s losses were to Negaunee. There’s a strong argument they are the best teams in the Upper Peninsula this season, and they could meet for a third time Friday. But don’t forget Houghton, which had a bumpy February but started this season 12-3 and lost to Gladstone only 39-36 on Dec. 19. Those two will meet again in a District Semifinal.
Fremont
1. Big Rapids (19-2), 2. Fremont (20-2), 3. Newaygo (18-4), 4. Ludington (16-5), 5. Reed City (9-12).
This bracket includes two teams that have reached Breslin over the last four years – 2021 Division 2 runner-up Newaygo and 2022 semifinalist Ludington among an overall strong group. Big Rapids was the undefeated champion in the Central State Activities Association Red, with pairs of double-digit wins over second-place Newaygo and third-place Reed City. Fremont was first and Ludington second in the West Michigan Conference Lakes, with Fremont taking both of their matchups also by double digits. The Packers have won 12 straight games to reach 20 for the second-straight season, while Big Rapids can reach 20 victories for the second time in three seasons with a win Wednesday.
DIVISION 3
Blissfield
1. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (21-1), 2. Blissfield (19-2), 3. Ottawa Lake Whiteford (14-8), 4. Erie Mason (7-15), 5. Sand Creek (3-19).
St. Mary’s only loss, discussed above, came last week to Lumen Christi, and the Kestrels finished first in a Huron league that included five teams (of eight) with winning records overall. Among early victories was a 28-pointer over Ottawa Lake Whiteford, which tied for second in the Tri-County Conference. Those two could meet again, but only if Whiteford gets through Blissfield, which won the Lenawee County Athletic Association title with losses only to TCC champ Morenci on Thursday and Tecumseh on Dec. 18. Blissfield has defeated SMCC in District play the last three seasons, including in District Finals the last two.
Galesburg-Augusta
1. Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep (19-3), 2. Kalamazoo Christian (18-4), 3. Lawton (15-5), 4. Galesburg-Augusta (14-7), 5. Comstock (1-20).
Hackett and Christian played to one of the most intriguing splits this season, Christian winning the first game 52-35, Hackett the rematch 56-55, but Christian winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference Valley title by two games ahead of the Irish. Hackett’s loss to Parchment on Feb. 21 was its only defeat since Dec. 13, and Christian sharpened for the postseason with losses to Edison, Saugatuck and Paw Paw as well and a nice win last week over Ottawa-Kent Conference Silver champ Grandville Calvin Christian. Lawton finished third in the Valley, but its only non-Hackett/Christian defeat came to reigning Division 3 champion Niles Brandywine. Galesburg-Augusta was the runner-up in the SAC Central and will play on its homecourt.
Grass Lake
1. Grass Lake (18-3), 2. Jackson Lumen Christi (15-6), 3. Hanover-Horton (12-9), 4. East Jackson (14-8), 5. Napoleon (8-14).
Lumen’s win last week over Monroe St. Mary made a bracket full of surging teams even more interesting. Cascades Conference East champion Grass Lake has won 15 straight games since it’s most recent loss – Jan. 4 to Lumen Christi, 66-56. The Warriors rebounded with wins over Michigan Center and Detroit Renaissance and have rolled since. The Titans are riding an impressive five-game stretch that included a win as well over Columbia Central and with that loss to Tecumseh. Hanover-Horton was second in the Cascades West and has seven wins over its last nine games, and East Jackson – 5-17 just a season ago – has won six of its last seven with only a loss to Grass Lake during that string.
DIVISION 4
Dryden
1. Clarkston Everest Collegiate (17-2), 2. Genesee Christian (19-2), 3. Dryden (12-10), 4. Burton St. Thomas More Academy (9-9).
Everest won the CHSL Intersectional 1 and St. Anne’s Tournament championships, with its only losses to Division 2 Warren Regina and Wixom St. Catherine. But Genesee will provide a high-powered challenge, as the Soldiers are capable of putting up big numbers and have lost only to Division 2 Flint Hamady and Adrian Lenawee Christian. Dryden emerges from the Big Thumb Conference Blue, where it finished third and didn’t lose a game all season to an opponent that finished with fewer than 12 wins, taking on Sandusky and Brown City over the last two weeks.
Frankfort
1. Frankfort (14-6), 2. Leland (16-5), 3. Lake Leelanau St. Mary (14-6), 4. Grand Traverse Academy (14-7), 5. Suttons Bay (2-19), 6. Traverse City Christian (4-13).
Frankfort enters the postseason with two losses over its last three games, but got one that counted big-time as last week’s 18-11 win over Leland solidified an outright championship in the Northwest Conference. Frankfort also won their first meeting 33-26 on Jan. 29, but the Comets emerged from a tough run over the last three weeks to still finish third in the league. Lake Leelanau St. Mary could break up a potential third meeting between those two, having defeated Leland 31-26 on Jan. 14 and tested itself in losses to 20-game winners Evart and St. Ignace over the last two weeks. Grand Traverse has bounced back from a rough February stretch with three straight wins.
L’Anse or Higher Seed (non-traditional)
1. L’Anse (17-5), 2. Baraga (16-6), 3. Hancock (14-8), 4. Lake Linden-Hubbell (16-6), 5. Dollar Bay (8-14), 6. Chassell (4-18).
The second, third and fourth-place teams from the Copper Mountain Conference will contend in this bracket, and Hancock was the runner-up in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference West. L’Anse finished fourth in the CMC but has the top seed and a recent 14-point win over Hancock but also lost to Lake Linden-Hubbell last week 54-50. LL-H has jumped past CMC runner-up Baraga and Hancock in MPR since seeding but took an 11-point loss to Hancock on Feb. 13 to go with a split with Baraga and a sweep of L’Anse. Baraga was the Division 4 runner-up just two seasons ago and fell to eventual champion Ishpeming during last year’s District. The Vikings have won 10 of their last 12 games, with the pair of losses during that run by a combined six points.
MHSAA.com's weekly “Breslin Bound” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a division within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTOS (Top) West Bloomfield defenders close in on Tecumseh’s Lauren Kilbarger (12) during her team’s win over the Lakers in December. (Middle) Houghton's Eva Gerard gets a hand up as Ishpeming Peyton Kakkuri take a shot during the Hematites’ 61-49 win Thursday. (West Bloomfield/Tecumseh photo by Team Arreguin Photos. Houghton/Ishpeming photo by Cara Kamps.