Breslin Bound: 2025-26 Girls Regional Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 9, 2026
After more than three months of working to get to this point, 128 girls basketball teams need to win only three more games to make it to MHSAA Finals weekend.
The next steps will come this week in Regionals, and we look closer at 12 of those below along with five District Finals among several that jumped off the page Friday.
Find everything you need to know this week about tickets, brackets and more as the tournament continues on the Girls Basketball page. To watch any of several games online, visit the NFHS Network. Host sites are in bold below.
“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. Muskegon 35, Rockford 27 The Big Reds (21-2) won their first Division 1 District title since 2023 and guaranteed Rockford (21-3) won’t play at Breslin Center this season for the first time since 2021.
2. Evart 45, McBain 37 The top two teams from the Highland Conference met one more time, and runner-up Evart (18-3) avenged losses of 24 and 11 points to the champion Ramblers (21-1) by handing them their lone defeat in this Division 3 District Final.
3. Jackson Lumen Christi 64, Grass Lake 53 The Titans (20-3) won this Division 3 matchup of league champions, downing Grass Lake (21-3) for the second-straight season in a District Final.
4. Petersburg Summerfield 37, Adrian Lenawee Christian 31 Two weeks after losing to Lenawee Christian (17-6) for the second time this season, Summerfield (18-6) avenged both defeats in a Division 4 District Final.
5. Livonia Stevenson 58, Farmington Hills Mercy 53 The Spartans (19-5) finished third behind perennial state powers Belleville and Wayne Memorial in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East, but brought home a trophy by downing Mercy (19-5) in Division 1.
Regionals at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold:
DIVISION 1
Detroit Renaissance
Detroit Renaissance (19-2) vs. Livonia Stevenson (19-5)
Wayne Memorial (20-2) vs. Birmingham Groves (18-6)
Renaissance is coming off another Detroit Public School League championship, with both of its losses coming in December – the second to reigning Division 1 champion Belleville (23-1) and the first 55-33 to Wayne, its potential opponent Thursday. To set up that repeat of last year’s Regional Final – won by Wayne – the Phoenix must defeat a Groves team that has enjoyed one of the best turnaround seasons in the state after going 6-16 a year ago. The Zebras – who have lost only to Belleville this season – have defeated Stevenson by 15 and 22 but still must be wary of the familiar Spartans, who have added to their win total now five straight seasons.
Houghton Lake
Marquette (8-14) vs. Midland (19-5)
Saginaw Heritage (18-6) vs. Muskegon (21-2)
Muskegon has gone from 11-12 a year ago to losing this season to only Wayne Memorial (20-2) and Grand Haven (21-3) – and the District Final win over Rockford had statewide reverberations. Heritage and Midland finished first and second, respectively, in the Saginaw Valley League North and split during the regular season, with Midland winning the most recent meeting 46-41 on Jan. 30. Marquette is 6-5 over the second half of the season and coming off its first District title since 2020.
Northville
Saline (21-3) vs. South Lyon East (23-1)
Howell (23-1) vs. Belleville (23-1)
Howell’s 59-51 win over reigning Division 1 champion Belleville on Feb. 26 ended the Tigers’ 35-game winning streak and took this forecasted rematch to another level. But whichever team emerges from that side of the bracket will have to rev back up immediately as Saline and South Lyon East are both capable of moving on to next week as well. Saline’s losses all came to teams still alive – including 58-44 to South Lyon East on Dec. 12. East’s only loss was to Farmington Hills Mercy (19-5), and one more win will give the Cougars twice as many as a season ago.
DIVISION 2
Allendale
Grand Rapids West Catholic (18-5) vs. Spring Lake (15-7)
Sparta (6-18) vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (20-4)
An anticipated Regional Final between 2025 Division 2 runner-up West Catholic and Catholic Central makes this bracket jump off the page, as the Cougars won the Ottawa-Kent Conference White and West Catholic finished second in the Gold and won their Feb. 19 matchup 53-40. But the other two contenders this week definitely have earned some notice as well. Spring Lake finished third in the O-K Black but has won five of its last seven games (with a 47-38 loss to West Catholic mixed in) and dominated its District with 39 and 43-point victories. Sparta had one win since Jan. 2 before last week, but earned four and 27-point victories to advance.
Alma
Flint Powers Catholic (21-3) vs. Frankenmuth (16-8)
Alma (17-6) vs. Portland (20-4)
Powers is seeking its second Regional championship over the last three seasons and has lost only to Division 1 Detroit Renaissance, Midland and Utica Eisenhower while defeating several Division 1 opponents as well. The Chargers also downed Frankenmuth 69-45 on Dec. 15, but the Eagles have won 13 of their last 16 games after playing several more top teams from across the state. Alma finished third in the Tri-Valley Conference Red won by Frankenmuth, but defeated league runner-up Freeland on Friday to earn this Regional game on its home court. The Panthers have won 12 of their last 14. Portland won the Capital Area Activities Conference White with its only losses to Haslett, Frankenmuth and Division 1 Holt and East Lansing. The Frankenmuth defeat was by only two points in their season opener.
Tecumseh
Parma Western (17-7) vs. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (16-8)
Haslett (22-2) vs. Tecumseh (22-2)
Reigning Division 2 champion Tecumseh has hardly been slowed again this season, falling to West Catholic by two points on Jan. 3 and then to Ohio power program Cincinnati West Clermont on Jan. 19. But Haslett, playing in its third-straight Regional, should provide another challenge with its only losses this season to Division 1 DeWitt and Rockford. The Vikings’ run has included a 64-41 win over Parma Western in their regular-season finale. Western topped a strong Michigan Center team 56-42 to win its District last week and has faced several of the state’s best as well, and will take on a Father Gabriel Richard team that has navigated the same with three of its losses to Division 1 teams and two more to Division 3 contender Lumen Christi.
DIVISION 3
Bangor
Niles Brandywine (23-1) vs. Gobles (15-7)
Kalamazoo Christian (18-4) vs. Schoolcraft (16-7)
Brandywine has reached at least the Division 3 Semifinals the last two seasons and is a combined 50-2 over the last two with that lone loss this winter to Division 2 Otsego (19-2). The Bobcats’ schedule was filled with larger opponents and included a 73-14 win over Gobles from Jan. 6. The Tigers rebounded from three straight losses to end the regular season to win their District, and two of their defeats also game to Saugatuck (23-1) in Southwestern Athletic Conference Central play. K-Christian was first and Schoolcraft third in the SAC Valley, with Christian winning their games by 29 but then only two points Feb. 13. Schoolcraft impressively downed Centreville (18-5) and Union City (17-7) to win its District, while the Comets have won 11 of their last 12 games and surely have been circling this week after losing the Brandywine in Regional Finals the last two years.
Burton Bendle
Otisville LakeVille Memorial (19-5) vs. Cass City (17-5)
Sandusky (22-1) vs. Genesee (18-6)
The fact Otisville LakeVille finished only third in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference speaks well to the strength of that league, and that no doubt prepared the Falcons well although they now must face a Cass City team that finished second in the Big Thumb Conference White but downed league champion Caro 61-37 in their District Final rematch. Sandusky defeated Cass City 49-32 in its regular-season finale just 11 days ago and won the BTC Black, with its only loss this winter to Division 2 Yale (21-3). Sandusky will see a somewhat familiar opponent in Genesee, which Sandusky defeated in last year’s Regional Final. But Genesee also is a league champion this winter, from the Genesee Area Conference Red, and is keyed by 2,000-point scorer Averie Zinn.
New Lothrop
Laingsburg (20-4) vs. Pewamo-Westphalia (22-2)
New Lothrop (22-2) vs. Stockbridge (18-6)
As noted above with Otisville LakeVille, the MMAC as a league was powerful especially at the top this season, and New Lothrop won it with a 16-0 record. The Hornets’ only losses were to Division 1 Midland and Division 2 Freeland. Stockbridge has made an impressive jump this season after going 11-13 a year ago, and the Panthers finished behind only Division 4 contender Concord (22-2) in the Big 8 Conference. On the other side of the bracket are representatives from another top league, the Central Michigan Athletic Conference, which has sent three teams into Regionals and was won by P-W with an 18-0 record including victories of 13 and 23 over Laingsburg. The Pirates certainly are being cautious seeing Laingsburg for the third time, as the Wolfpack finished third in the CMAC but defeated runner-up Bath (19-5) to win their District.
DIVISION 4
Akron-Fairgrove
Kingston (24-0) vs. Sterling Heights Parkway Christian (16-4)
Clarkston Everest Collegiate (17-5) vs. Deckerville (20-4)
A pair of 20-win teams from the BTC Blue could meet again in the Regional Final as league champ Kingston would be seeking to add to 19 and seven-point wins over runner-up Deckerville – which otherwise lost to only Division 2 Yale and Division 3 Cass City this winter. But neither should look ahead. Parkway Christian won the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference Red ahead of Southfield Christian, which is also still playing this week. Everest Collegiate won the Catholic High School League Intersectional #1 title and the St. Anne Tournament, and total has 15 victories over its last 16 games after opening this winter with four losses over the first month including three to Division 1 and 2 teams.
Fowler
Portland St. Patrick (19-5) vs. Climax-Scotts (17-6)
Muskegon Catholic Central (15-5) vs. Whitmore Lake (18-7)
Three of these teams finished fourth in their leagues during the regular season, and the fourth – Climax-Scotts – was a league runner-up. But they all emerged with trophies last week and one will claim another over the next four days. The Panthers have won 10 of their last 11 games after finishing second in the Southern Central Athletic Association West to Mendon, which is also playing this week. Muskegon Catholic Central emerged from the middle of the Alliance League to defeat both co-champions – Byron Center Zion Christian (17-4) and Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (15-6) – to win their District. Whitmore Lake was fourth in the MIAC Blue but repeated as a District champ, and St. Patrick was fourth in the CMAC but also is a repeat District winner and has lost to only Division 3 opponents from its league this winter.
Johannesburg-Lewiston
Buckley (20-4) vs. Gaylord St. Mary (23-1)
Mio (20-4) vs. Frankfort (15-7)
This Regional features three league champs and a team that finished one game out of first place, plus another of the all-time leading scorers in Michigan history. Buckley – which has made an impressive climb after finishing 9-15 just two seasons ago – shared the Northwest Conference title and will take on Ski Valley Conference champion Gaylord St. Mary, which lost to only Division 2 Petoskey (20-3) two months ago. St. Mary has reached at least the Regional Final the last four seasons and fell to Frankfort the last two. Frankfort finished third in the Northwest Conference but only a game off the lead with two and seven-point losses to Buckley. The Panthers will be next to attempt to slow down Mio and Mia McGregor, who is averaging more than 40 points per game. The Thunderbolts have won 11 of their last 12 games and are making their third-straight Regional appearance.
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PHOTOS (Top) Laingsburg’s Mallory Woodbury (10) pulls away the ball and Harper Strouse (5) also defends during the Wolfpack’s 40-23 Division 3 District Final win over Bath on Friday. (Middle) Marquette's Avery Osborne goes up for a shot against Traverse City Central's Sienna Slack during the Sentinels’ 51-43 District Final victory in Division 1. (Below) A pair of Almont defenders block the passing lanes against North Branch during the Broncos' 47-44 Division 2 District win.(Laingsburg/Bath photo by John Johnson. Marquette/Traverse City Central photo by Cara Kamps. North Branch/Almont photo by Terry Lyons.)
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.)