Breslin Bound: 2025-26 Girls Report Week 8
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 2, 2026
The final month of the girls basketball regular season has begun, and the whirlwind is underway as teams will spend the next four weeks finishing off league schedules, filling in previously-postponed matchups, and all the while readying for MHSAA Tournament play that begins March 2.
Our Michigan Power Ratings page will be among the most popular on this website over the next month; check it out for rankings both statewide but especially within individual Districts, updated as games are played. This season’s District brackets will be posted Feb. 22, and there are plenty of details on the process for drawing them on the MPR FAQ page.
“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. Rockford 64, Grand Haven 48 The Rams (10-1) moved into first place alone in another competitive Ottawa-Kent Conference Red race, sending Grand Haven (11-1) into second with its first defeat.
2. Negaunee 30, Gladstone 19 This matchup of arguably the two best in the Upper Peninsula turned into a low-scoring battle, as Negaunee (14-0) held an opponent below 20 points for the sixth time – but Gladstone (11-3) also caused the Miners to tie their season low.
3. Ludington 49, Fremont 48 (2OT) Fremont (8-3) had won 29 straight West Michigan Conference Lakes games, including defeating new league leader Ludington (9-5) by 12 when they faced off Dec. 11.
4. Shelby 40, Ravenna 39 This was for first place in the WMC Rivers, and Shelby (11-1) has a narrow lead after winning by this narrowest of margins, with Ravenna (12-3) getting another chance Feb. 16.
5. Holland Christian 46, Spring Lake 35 Holland Christian (9-3) put itself in strong position to repeat as O-K Black champion, opening the second half of the league schedule with a second win over second-place Spring Lake (8-3).
Watch List
With an eye toward March, here are two teams in each division making sparks:
DIVISION 1
Midland (10-4) Although the Chemics did fall last week to Haslett, a highly-regarded team in Division 2, they finished the week with a 46-41 win over Saginaw Heritage that avenged their eight-point loss to the Hawks from December and created a tie between the two for first in the Saginaw Valley League North. The only other losses this winter were to reigning Division 2 champion Tecumseh and Division 1 runner-up Rockford, and there are more challenges immediately ahead this week with Flint Powers Catholic (14-1) and Grand Haven (11-1).
Sturgis (11-2) The Trojans won three games just four seasons ago, improving to nine the following winter and 12 a year ago. With one win this week they’ll equal last season’s total, and they’ve moved up to second place in the Wolverine Conference with their only losses both to league leader Otsego – and by a combined six points. Sturgis also has handed Plainwell two of its three losses, gave Mendon one of its two defeats and Kalamazoo Christian one of its three this winter. The Trojans should end on a roll as only two of Sturgis’ final eight opponents have winning records.
DIVISION 2
Carleton Airport (12-2) The Jets completed the first half of the Huron League schedule undefeated as they seek to move up from second place last season. They lead second-place Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central by a game and face the Kestrels on Thursday. Airport also entered this winter seeking a third-straight District title and has defeated four teams in that bracket during this regular season. The only in-state loss was to 14-win Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, and four days later the Jets jumped back into nonleague play with a solid victory over 11-win Milford.
Flint Powers Catholic (14-1) The Chargers have almost entirely dominated this season, claiming all but one of their 14 wins by double digits and with the only loss to Detroit Renaissance. Powers bounced back from that defeat to down Pewamo-Westphalia, Midland Dow, Davison and Clarkston over their next four games, and the Chargers have a one-game lead over Davison in the SVL South with their rematch set for Feb. 10. Only four opponents have reached 40 points, and none over Powers’ last eight games.
DIVISION 3
Blissfield (11-2) The Royals have won at least 22 games the last three seasons, claimed three straight league championships and four straight District titles. They’re on the right track to do all three again, sitting atop the Lenawee County Athletic Association standings with a multiple-game lead and wins as well over two of the teams in their upcoming District bracket – although Blissfield also has a Dec. 12 loss to Brooklyn Columbia Central, a possible opponent during the first round of the postseason. The Royals’ only other loss came to Tecumseh.
Niles Brandywine (13-0) The Bobcats are stacking wins again coming off last year’s run to the Division 3 Semifinals, and Kent City with an 18-point margin has come the closest to catching them. Kent City also is the only opponent to reach 40 points, and five have scored 20 or fewer. Brandywine leads the Lakeland Conference as well, but there are a few intriguing challenges ahead – most notably this weekend when the Bobcats face second-place Berrien Springs on Friday for the second time and then Wolverine Conference leader Otsego the next afternoon.
DIVISION 4
Gaylord St. Mary (12-1) The Snowbirds are leading the Ski Valley Conference thanks to a 58-35 win over second-place Indian River Inland Lakes on Jan. 21, and the lone loss – 42-38 to Division 2 Petoskey – keeps looking better and better as the Northmen are tied for the lead in the Big North Conference. A league title would be the second straight for St. Mary, but the Snowbirds do see Inland Lakes again in the regular-season finale Feb. 26 and will take on third-place Bellaire to start this week.
Newberry (9-1) A 48-42 win over St. Ignace on Thursday has Newberry undefeated in Eastern Upper Peninsula Athletic Conference play through the first half of the league schedule, and after finishing second to the Saints last season – when it also lost to St. Ignace in a Regional Semifinal. Newberry’s only loss this season was Jan. 16 to Munising, by three points, and after defeating Munising by four in their first meeting nine days earlier. Circle the St. Ignace rematch on Feb. 9 as the big one the rest of the way, and the pair against Cedarville should be key as well.
Can’t-Miss Contests
Be on the lookout for results of these games coming up:
Monday – Beaverton (11-0) at McBain (12-0) – There are 10 undefeated teams left in Michigan, and these are two of them.
Tuesday – South Lyon East (14-0) at Milford (11-3) – East owns first place in the Lakes Valley Conference thanks to a 52-47 win when these teams met Jan. 13 for the first time this season.
Tuesday – Grand Rapids South Christian (13-0) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (11-2) – South Christian leads an O-K Gold with four contenders, and West Catholic could shake things up if it avenges its 73-62 loss to the Sailors from Jan. 6.
Friday – Negaunee (14-0) at Ishpeming (11-1) – Negaunee has a slim lead over Ishpeming in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference East after winning their Jan. 9 matchup 54-44.
Friday – Belleville (13-0) at Livonia Stevenson (12-2) – The reigning Division 1 champion Tigers have played one 10-point game and won most of the rest by many more, but Stevenson surely will be looking forward to the challenge.
MHSAA.com's weekly “Breslin Bound” reports 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. Click to connect with MI Student Aid and find more information on Facebook and X @mistudentaid.
PHOTOS (Top) Negaunee's Liliana Saunders (14), Paige O'Donnell (4), and Clare O'Donnell (44) defend Gladstone's Malia Quigley as she seeks an open teammate during the Miners’ 30-19 win last week. (Middle) Freeland’s Joz Begick drives to the basket during the fourth quarter of her team’s December victory over Essexville Garber. (Negaunee/Gladstone photo by Cara Kamps. Freeland/Garber photo by Kolleth Photo.)
Breslin Bound: 2024-25 Girls Report Week 9
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 3, 2025
Several girls basketball leagues across Michigan are being paced this season not just by a couple of top teams locally, but by top local teams that also have worthwhile statewide aspirations.
We saw several of that caliber of matchup this past week, with many more on the way, and we’ve highlighted some of the most intriguing below in our looks back and forward as we continue to push toward March.
“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. Wayne Memorial 57, Belleville 52 Wayne (10-5) took over first place alone in the Kensington Lakes Activities Associate East with this stunner, handing Belleville (14-1) its only defeat.
2. Negaunee 45, Gladstone 28 Negaunee (15-0) remains undefeated after handing Gladstone (12-1) its only loss, and they meet again Feb. 27.
3. Rockford 45, Grand Haven 34 The Rams (15-1) strengthened their spot atop the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red by finishing a season sweep of Grand Haven (12-2) – no other opponent has defeated the Buccaneers this winter.
4. Tecumseh 56, Chelsea 39 Tecumseh (12-1) also finished a season sweep of a league rival, in the Southeastern Conference White, and remains the only team to defeat Chelsea (11-2).
5. Yale 69, Armada 62 Yale (13-1) moved into first alone in the Blue Water Area Conference by handing Armada (12-1) its only defeat in league play and overall. They meet again Feb. 20.
Watch List
With an eye toward March, here are two teams in each division making sparks:
DIVISION 1
Northville (10-5) The Mustangs have moved to the top of a competitive KLAA West that has six of eight teams playing above .500 overall. Northville took over the top spot alone with a week that saw a 49-43 win over Howell and then a 51-44 victory over Hartland; Howell is now third and Hartland second, and Hartland had won the first meeting with the Mustangs 47-24. Northville has won seven straight, with notable early losses to Clarkston (11-5), South Lyon (13-1) and Midland (12-1) and another impressive win to start this month over Farmington Hills Mercy (11-3).
Wayne Memorial (10-5) The Zebras had lost last year’s matchups with Belleville by 28 and 11 points, but Saturday’s 57-52 win over the Tigers was their eighth in nine games this winter and boosted them up to No. 8 in statewide Division 1 MPR. A 2-4 start this season was filed with valuable losses to Rockford, Detroit Edison (48-46 in overtime) and a pair of Indiana teams, and the only loss since was to an Ohio opponent. Wayne’s rematch with Belleville (14-1) is Feb. 14, and the Zebras also have a key KLAA East win over third-place Livonia Stevenson, 60-53, and will see the Spartans (12-4) again Feb. 18.
DIVISION 2
Detroit Edison (11-3) The reigning Division 2 champion has put together another run to set up a potential playoff push, with its only losses in double overtime to Tecumseh (12-1), by two to Detroit Renaissance (15-1), and to another Division 2 contender Parma Western (13-1). Balance that out with wins over Wayne, Clarkston, Utica Eisenhower (14-1), Detroit Cass Tech (10-5) and most recently annual Illinois contender Bolingbrook. Five of the Pioneers’ six nonleague opponents remaining are 11-3 or better, and the sixth is reigning Division 1 champion West Bloomfield. Circle Feb. 21 at Belleville and Feb. 22 home against Frankenmuth as arguably the best weekend of basketball in the state before the MHSAA Finals.
Frankenmuth (13-2) The Eagles also are gearing up for another potential tournament run, riding an 11-game winning streak with those early losses by a combed five points against Portland (12-3) and Midland Dow over the first two weeks of December. Frankenmuth clinched a share of another Tri-Valley Conference Red title last week against Saginaw Swan Valley and can finish the championship outright by closing out a season sweep this week against Freeland (11-2). The Eagles also have notable wins over Flint Powers Catholic (10-3), Detroit Country Day (12-3) and Saginaw Heritage (12-3), and will head toward March with a string of seven opponents that have all won at last nine games and includes matchups with Goodrich, Rockford, Edison and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s.
DIVISION 3
Cass City (12-1) The Red Hawks moved up five spots to No. 6 in statewide Division 3 MPR this week as they pulled within two more wins of clinching the inaugural Big Thumb Conference White championship. They’ve jumped from 14-11 a year ago and won eight straight since suffering their lone loss, 53-46 to Division 4 contender Kingston (9-1). Cass City also had a solid early win over Deckerville (10-4) and cleared Caro and Unionville-Sebewaing by impressive margins in the first meetings against their closest league challengers. Cass City closes against undefeated Sandusky, a rematch of last season’s Regional Semifinal that ended the Red Hawks’ season.
Harbor Springs (12-2) As 2,000-point scorer Olivia Flynn surges toward the conclusion of her high school career, Harbor Springs is looking like a great possibility to surpass its longest tournament run of her career so far, to the Regional Semifinals a year ago. The Rams shared the Lake Michigan Conference title last season and lead the Northern Shores Conference by two games, with their only losses overall to Division 2 Sault Ste. Marie and Division 4 contender St. Ignace. Harbor Springs also has downed Indian River Inland Lakes (10-3) and East Jordan (10-4), and has an intriguing matchup with Gaylord St. Mary (11-1) to finish the regular season.
DIVISION 4
Baraga (10-4) Although the Vikings will need help to catch Ewen-Trout Creek in the Copper Mountain Conference, they also put L’Anse a game back in the standings with a 52-49 overtime win over the Purple Hornets (11-2) last week. That victory avenged a 68-50 loss to L’Anse from mid-December and came after Baraga opened last week with a 49-46 revenge win over Lake Linden-Hubbell (11-4) – which had won their first meeting 49-37. Baraga will hope to keep that rebound streak going if they see E-TC in a Regional Semifinal – E-TC won the regular-season matchup 61-34 – but in the meantime the Vikings will face last season’s champion Ishpeming on Feb. 10 in what should be their toughest regular-season game the rest of the way.
Gaylord St. Mary (11-1) A mid-December loss to Division 1 Muskegon Mona Shores has been the only flaw in an otherwise perfect run for the Snowbirds, who own a one-game lead in the Ski Valley Conference thanks to a 51-47 victory over Indian River Inland Lakes (10-3) two weeks ago. Those two will meet again Feb. 25, and St. Mary also has a rematch coming up with East Jordan (10-4) after winning their first game impressively. As noted above, The Snowbirds will test themselves against Harbor Springs on Feb. 27, which could provide a nice momentum boost as they pursue a potential fifth-straight District title and possible first Regional championship since 2022.
Can’t-Miss Contests
Be on the lookout for results of these games coming up:
Monday – New Lothrop (13-1) at Ovid-Elsie (13-2) – A third meeting might be ahead in Division 3 District play, but for now these two are likely the decide the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title with New Lothrop leading thanks to a 46-37 win in their first meeting Dec. 20.
Tuesday – Shelby (12-2) at Hart (12-1) – Hart has a slim lead in the West Michigan Conference Rivers thanks to a 37-34 win over second-place Shelby from Dec. 10, and these two also could meet again in Division 3 District action.
Wednesday – Pewamo-Westphalia (14-0) at Fowler (12-1) – The Central Michigan Athletic Conference has at least two Finals contenders again this season, and the Division 3 Pirates defeated the Division 4 Eagles 46-43 in their first meeting Dec. 17 to earn their current one-game lead in the league.
Friday – Grand Rapids South Christian (13-2) at Grand Rapids West Catholic (13-1) – The O-K Gold title is almost assuredly coming down to these two, and West Catholic has a one-game lead after winning their Jan. 10 matchup 62-49.
Friday – Michigan Center (13-1) at Grass Lake (12-3) – The Cascades Conference East has two intriguing playoff contenders as well, and Division 3 Grass Lake tops the standings after downing Division 2 Michigan Center 56-46 on Jan. 9.
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) Ishpeming's Jenessa Eagle brings the ball into the paint against Gwinn during Wednesday’s 54-30 Hematites win. Eagle scored her 1,000th career point in the victory. (Middle) Flint Powers’ Kendyl Smith (23) powers to the basket during her team’s 71-41 win over Davison on Tuesday. (Ishpeming/Gwinn photo by Cara Kamps. Powers/Davison photo by Terry Lyons.)