Breslin Bound: Girls Quarterfinal Preview
March 14, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Seven communities have been celebrating unprecedented girls basketball success over these last few days while gearing up for the most significant game in their program's histories.
Nearly a quarter of this year's 32 quarterfinalists won a Regional title last week for the first time. Tonight, those seven join 25 more seeking a trip to Michigan State University's Breslin Center this weekend.
All games tip off at 7 p.m. unless noted.
Class A
Ann Arbor Huron (20-4) vs. Detroit Martin Luther King (21-1) at Southfield (5 p.m.)
King, playing in its fourth Quarterfinal in five seasons, is arguably the favorite this week and seeking its first championship since fall 2006. The Crusaders are led by guards Tia Tedford (15.6 points per game) and Micaela Kelly (15 ppg). Huron last made a Quarterfinal (and then Semifinal) in 2012, but has won seven straight league titles and has seven players averaging between 5.5-9.1 ppg – led by junior forward Kara Wilson.
Port Huron Northern (21-4) vs. St. Johns (22-3) at Fenton
Northern has won 21 games two straight seasons and is playing in its second Quarterfinal over the last three, keyed by three players averaging between 10-12 ppg; senior guard Kiana Votava is the leading scorer. The Redwings have had a much longer wait to get back to the final week, returning or the first time since back-to-back Quarterfinal appearances in 2005. St. Johns also has three players scoring between 10-12 ppg, led by guard Maddie Maloney.
Northville (21-3) vs. Warren Cousino (20-4) at Southfield
This is new territory for both first-time Quarterfinalists – but with the promise of one taking another first step with a win. Junior forward Jessica Moorman scores 12.1 ppg to lead a Northville team with only one senior in its rotation. Cousino has only one senior total on its roster, but a high-scoring junior guard in Kierra Fletcher (21.4 ppg).
East Lansing (19-6) vs. Hudsonville (22-3) at Battle Creek Central
The Trojans are back in the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2012 thanks in part to senior guard Taryn McCutcheon, who has averaged 20.4 points in 17 games since moving from West Virginia early this season. She will play collegiately at MSU. Hudsonville also is making its first trip to the Quarterfinals, and a sophomore runs the show; guard Kasey DeSmit averages 12.3 points and nearly five assists per game leading a team with only one senior starter.
Class B
Detroit Mumford (17-5) vs. Detroit Country Day (23-1) at Marysville
Mumford has gradually improved since Hogan took the program back over five seasons ago and has been rewarded with its first Quarterfinal since 1978 in Class A after winning both of its Regional games by two points. Reigning Class B champion Country Day will provide one of the stiffest challenges yet. Junior guard Destiny Pitts is considered one of the state’s best in her class and regardless of grade.
Grand Rapids South Christian (23-2) vs. Dearborn Heights Robichaud (18-6) at Fowlerville
First-year coach Kim Legge has led South Christian to its third Quarterfinal in four seasons, with plenty of help from four senior starters including point guard Jennifer DeBoer. She’s averaging 16.8 ppg and has made 71 3-pointers. Robichaud is making its first Quarterfinal appearance and is riding an eight-game winning streak. Guards Kayla Brown and Kamaria McDaniel carry the offensive load averaging 23.4 and 20 ppg, respectively.
Bay City John Glenn (24-1) vs. Manistee (21-3) at Big Rapids
Add John Glenn as well to the list of first-time Quarterfinalists, but this trip has been anticipated from a team featuring Miss Basketball finalist Cassidy Boensch (17.5 points/12 rebounds per game) and standout guards Kalle Martinez (15.5 ppg) and Jenai LaPorte (14.3). Manistee also isn’t a surprise after reaching this round a year ago. Three seniors and two juniors start, although they are the only upperclassmen.
Marshall (23-1) vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (21-2) at Otsego
This will be Marshall’s third Quarterfinal in five seasons but matches its best record since 1999. Junior center Nicole Tucker has been powerful in the post averaging 12.3 points and eight rebounds per game. Grand Rapids Catholic Central is returning to the Quarterfinals for the second straight season and on an eight-game winning streak, with one of the victories over South Christian.
Class C
Niles Brandywine (23-2) vs. Grand Rapids Covenant Christian (18-5) at Portage Northern (6:30 p.m.)
Brandywine is back in the Quarterfinals for the sixth time in seven seasons, while Covenant Christian is making its first appearance since 2000. Brandywine eliminated previously-undefeated Gobles to advance and is keyed by a starting lineup featuring four seniors. Senior guard Kara Minderhoud averages 14.7 ppg and makes 40 percent of her 3-point tries to lead Covenant Christian.
Traverse City St. Francis (24-1) vs. St. Ignace (23-2) at Gaylord
St. Francis won its first Regional title since 2003 and lost this season only to Class B quarterfinalist Manistee. Senior forward Annie Lyman leads three scoring in double figures at 14 ppg. St. Ignace won Class D last season and in 2013 and Class C in 2011, and knocked off previously-undefeated reigning C champion Calumet to reach today. Senior forward Abbey Ostman brings loads of tournament experience and 19.8 ppg.
Flint Hamady (22-1) vs. Ithaca (23-2) at Saginaw Heritage
Hamady is seeking its first title this week since 2010 but finished runner-up a year ago and is a regular during the final week. Guard Jalisha Terry is finishing up her career as the latest of her program’s stars. Ithaca is coming off its first Regional title but appears poised to take another big first step this season or over the next few with a dominant player in the post – sophomore Kayla Belles leads with 18.2 points, 13 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game.
Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (22-2) vs. Grosse Pointe Woods University Liggett (20-4) at Michigan Center
Arbor Prep reached the Quarterfinals in Class B in 2014 and the Semifinals in Class C last season, and has been a favorite to reach the final game all season. Led by senior guard Nastassja Chambers, its only losses this season are to Class A quarterfinalist Ann Arbor Huron and Class B quarterfinalist Detroit Country Day. Liggett is back in the final week for the third time in five seasons, with junior Nia Ahart (22.3 ppg) and senior Kendall McConico (15.9) providing a strong one-two scoring punch.
Class D
Wyoming Tri-unity Christian (21-4) vs. Pittsford (24-0) at Springport
Tri-unity Christian has joined its long-successful boys program with its first Regional title and is riding a 13-game winning streak with senior guard Sarah Buffum setting the scoring pace at 17.3 ppg. Pittsford is the reigning Class D runner-up and has been one of the state’s most successful teams over the last three seasons with a combined record of 72-2. Senior guard Jaycie Burger and junior forward Maddie Clark are veterans of plenty of big games and score 19.2 and 17.7 ppg, respectively.
Waterford Our Lady (19-4) vs. Kingston (20-3) at Davison
Out Lady was unexpected at the Quarterfinals last season and finished 12-13, but isn’t surprising anyone this time. The Lakers are riding a nine-game winning streak and are led by two 12-ppg scorers in senior guard Alex Troy and junior forward Tiffany Senerius. Kingston is making its second straight Quarterfinal appearance and hoping to add a first Semifinal berth to its third season in four with at least 20 wins. Senior forward Sarah Savage leads with 16.2 ppg.
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (22-1) vs. Gaylord St. Mary (22-3) at Scottville Mason County Central
At least a quarterfinalist the last four seasons, Sacred Heart is looking to add a second championship in three years led one last time by dominating center Averi Gamble (16.1 ppg, 7.2 rebounds per game). St. Mary was in the Quarterfinals last in 2013 but hasn’t advanced farther since 2002. But this could be the season with senior Bekah Myler also a powerful presence in the post and Gamble’s likely matchup.
Newberry (23-1) vs. Stephenson (23-2) at Negaunee
Newberry is back in the Quarterfinals for the first time since 1989 thanks to an incredible run that has included a loss only to reigning champion (and Class C quarterfinalist) St. Ignace. The Indians are paced by senior guard Taylor Bryant, who averages 17.8 points and 6.3 assists per game. Stephenson is playing in a Quarterfinal for the first time since 1982, with senior center Tori Wangerin (18 ppg) leading a lineup with three scoring in double figures.
PHOTO: Detroit Martin Luther King defeated Detroit Renaissance earlier this season to win the Detroit PSL Tournament and hopes to add a Class A title this weekend. (Photo courtesy of the Detroit PSL.)
Breslin Bound: 2021-22 Girls Report Week 8
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
January 24, 2022
With just less than half of this girls basketball regular season remaining, 25 teams (out of 700 teams statewide) are chasing perfection, including 16 that have achieved at least 10-0 records.
Ten of those undefeated teams are mentioned in this week’s “Breslin Bound” report – as are two which recently suffered their first defeat of the winter.
“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. Frankenmuth 63, Midland Dow 60 (OT) The Eagles (9-1), even without a top player on this night, continued to assert themselves as Division 2 contenders by handing Division 1 Dow (9-1) its only loss.
2. Calumet 66, Houghton 49 The Copper Kings (9-0) stand alone as the only undefeated team in the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference after delivering a first loss to the Gremlins (11-1).
3. Dearborn Divine Child 47, Bloomfield Hills Marian 43 Divine Child (11-0) completed the first half of the Detroit Catholic League Central schedule undefeated with this win over the reigning champ Mustangs (7-3).
4. Harbor Springs 49, Elk Rapids 48 The Lake Michigan Conference ended the week with a three-way tie atop the standings after Elk Rapids (7-2) defeated Traverse City St. Francis (8-3) on Tuesday, and Harbor Springs (10-1) then edged the Elks on Friday.
5. Paw Paw 46, Otsego 43 The Red Wolves (8-2) moved to the top of the competitive Wolverine Conference North and sent Otsego (10-2) into second.
Watch List
With an eye toward March, here are two teams in each division making sparks:
Division 1
Grosse Pointe North (9-1) Three Macomb Area Conference Red teams have won nine games, and Grosse Pointe North and Macomb Dakota are both undefeated in league play heading into Tuesday’s matchup. North is the reigning Red champ and went 13-4 overall a year ago, losing twice to rival Grosse Pointe South – with the Norsemen winning their first matchup this season 56-41 on Jan. 11. North handed Macomb L’Anse Creuse North (11-1) its only defeat and also has wins over Port Huron (9-4), Utica Ford (9-3) and St. Clair Shores Lakeview (8-3) and an impressive loss to Farmington Hills Mercy (9-2).
Hudsonville (9-2) After winning the Division 1 championship last April with only one senior starter, the Eagles are gathering steam as expected with their only losses to Midland Dow (see above) and Division 2 power Detroit Edison. Hudsonville handed Rockford its lone loss, 62-48, on Jan. 14, and will face Holland West Ottawa on Friday potentially for the lead in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red (although Rockford could change the narrative facing West Ottawa on Tuesday, while Hudsonville must hold off Jenison). The Eagles also own a 79-51 win over reigning Division 3 champ Grass Lake and edged O-K White leader Byron Center 59-56 in overtime.
Division 2
Grand Rapids West Catholic (10-1) The Falcons are a combined 49-3 over the last three seasons and on the move again after suffering their only loss last season in a Regional Final to eventual Finals runner-up Newaygo. West Catholic is one game ahead of the field as it pursues a third-straight O-K Blue championship, with that lone defeat 50-46 to Rockford (10-1). West Catholic delivered O-K Silver co-leader Sparta its only defeat, on Dec. 10.
Lake Fenton (9-0) The Blue Devils are seeking to repeat as league champions in the Flint Metro League Stars and are tied for first with Goodrich. The first meeting between the two finishes off the first half of the league schedule tonight. No other opponent, league or non, has gotten closer than 17 points to catching Lake Fenton, which is giving up only 26 points per game.
Division 3
Blissfield (9-3) The Royals are playing for a first league championship since 2016-17, and they made the Lenawee County Athletic Association a three-team race with Friday’s 42-36 win over Onsted (8-4). Those two and Brooklyn Columbia Central are tied at the top of the standings with the second round of league games to play. Columbia Central (8-2) defeated Blissfield 41-21 on Dec. 10; the rematch is Tuesday. The Royals’ other losses were similarly strong, to Erie Mason (9-3) and Tecumseh (11-0).
Hart (9-1) The Pirates control their destiny in the West Michigan Conference as they pursue their first league title in at least a decade. After finishing second to Montague the last two seasons, Hart sits a game ahead heading into the second half of the league schedule thanks in part to a 37-36 win over the Wildcats on Jan. 11. The Pirates’ lone loss came to Division 2 contender Redford Westfield Prep on Dec. 4; Montague is the only other opponent to get closer than 12 points.
Division 4
Adrian Lenawee Christian (8-3) The Cougars’ cast is different after graduating significant standouts over the last few seasons, but the results have remained similar. Lenawee Christian has six wins over teams with winning records, having handed Athens what remains the opening-night opponent’s lone defeat. The Cougars also defeated Division 2 Onsted (8-4) last week, and their losses are to Division 4 undefeated Portland St. Patrick, Division 1 Temperance Bedford and Division 2 Chelsea.
Mackinaw City (11-0) The Comets have won between 18-23 games the last three seasons, so success is nothing new. But they are lining up well for an opportunity to take the next step. Mackinaw City is again leading the Northern Lakes Conference as it pursues what would be a fourth-straight championship, and the Comets already have avenged one of their two defeats during last season’s 18-2 run in downing Cedarville 73-46 last week. The other team to defeat Mackinaw City last season, St. Ignace, crosses the Bridge on Saturday.
Can't-Miss Contests
Be on the lookout for results of these games coming up:
Tuesday – Saline (10-0) at Dexter (7-2) – These two are tied for first in the Southeastern Conference Red, with the rest of the league’s teams all with two or more defeats.
Tuesday – Detroit Edison (4-1) at Parma Western (11-0) – The Pioneers have had nearly as many games canceled as played, but bring a win over East Lansing from last week into this challenge.
Tuesday – Rockford (10-1) at Holland West Ottawa (10-0) – Before the Panthers can think about Hudsonville (see above), they’ll need to avenge two 2021 losses to the Rams.
Wednesday – Hartford (9-0) at Watervliet (8-0) – A pair of league leaders face off in what could be a Regional preview.
Friday – Dearborn Divine Child (11-0) at Farmington Hills Mercy (9-2) – Divine Child also must get past Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard on Tuesday, but could be playing Mercy to all but clinch the Central title.
Second Half’s weekly “Breslin Bound” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. 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 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as 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.
PHOTO Mesick’s Kayla McCoy brings the ball upcourt this season. Mesick is 8-2, having already eclipsed last season’s seven victories. (Photo courtesy of the Mesick girls basketball program.)