Breslin Bound: Girls Quarterfinal Preview
March 13, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The final week of the 2016-17 girls basketball season begins tonight with all four of last year's champions still alive for titles this winter, but with a twist.
Reigning Class C winner Ypsilanti Arbor Prep is now in Class B, but is undefeated, as is reigning Class D champ Pittsford. Warren Cousino in Class A and Marshall in Class B also are only three more wins from celebrating again – but challengers abound.
Our final girls basketball Breslin Bound report – powered by MI Student Aid – takes a glance at all 16 Quarterfinals, which are all at 7 p.m. tonight unless noted. All Quarterfinals will be broadcast and viewable with subscription on MHSAA.tv. And come back Wednesday night for a more in-depth look at our 16 finalists as they head into this weekend – and make their long-awaited arrivals at the Breslin Center.
Class A
Farmington Hills Mercy (22-3) vs. Warren Cousino (23-2) at Southfield Arts & Technology
Reigning champion Cousino has won 18 straight and is led again by last season’s Finals hero, senior guard and Miss Basketball Award finalist Kierra Fletcher (22.7 points, 13 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 5.2 steals and 2.1 blocks per game). Mercy, the Detroit Catholic League A-B champion, has dominated with balanced contributions from a trio of guards, seniors Chloe Godbold (10.9 ppg) and Jackie Bauer (9.0 ppg) and junior Jenna Schluter (7.5 ppg, 4.5 apg.)
Macomb Dakota (19-6) vs. Flushing (21-3) at Davison
Dakota is playing in its first Quarterfinal and Flushing its first since 2009. The Cougars surprised expected contender Port Huron Northern on the way to winning its first District since 2013. The Raiders have eclipsed 20 wins for the second time in three seasons led by senior guard Lauren Newman (10.9 ppg) and junior guard Shelby Morrow (11.3 ppg).
Kalamazoo Central (20-3) vs. East Kentwood (24-1) at Lansing Eastern
The Maroon Giants also are playing in their first Quarterfinal and have won 19 of their last 20 games – the latest over 21-win East Lansing in the Regional Final. East Kentwood is 10 wins better than a year ago with its only loss Dec. 2 to Class B quarterfinalist Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Junior center Lazurea Saunders leads four players averaging double figures scoring at 14 ppg.
Ann Arbor Huron (20-5) at Southfield Arts & Technology (21-4), 5:30 p.m.
Southfield Arts & Technology pulled off one of the stunning wins of the postseason, downing arguably the Class A favorite Detroit Martin Luther King 55-51 in the Regional Final. But the Warriors have been considered serious contenders as well, led by Miss Basketball candidate Deja Church (20.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg). Huron has won 11 straight with a victory over Class B power Detroit Country Day and had earlier wins over Dakota and Class B quarterfinalist Detroit Mumford.
Class B
Detroit Mumford (18-7) vs. Detroit Country Day (23-1) at Marysville
Country Day has won 19 straight Regional titles and made the Semifinals the last two seasons, winning Class B in 2015. Miss Basketball finalist Destiny Pitts averages 22.7 points and has made 71 3-pointers this winter, while junior Kaela Webb averages 14.6 ppg. Mumford is making a second straight Quarterfinal appearance after also facing Country Day in this round last season. The Mustangs have won 10 of their last 12 games and all during the postseason by 20 or more points.
Marshall (22-2) vs. Grand Rapids Catholic Central (24-1) at Otsego
Reigning Class B champion Marshall has won 11 straight since falling to GRCC 42-34 on Jan. 28. Four starters from last season’s Redhawks team are trying to lead them back to Breslin in this rematch of last season’s Quarterfinal. GRCC’s only loss came on opening night to Class A Muskegon Mona Shores, and the Cougars are 70-7 over the last three seasons going into tonight as they pursue their first Semifinal since 2012.
Williamston (23-1) vs. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (25-0) at Brighton
Arbor Prep moved into Class B this season after winning Class C in 2016 and has continued to win with stifling defense, holding opponents to under 30 points 11 times this winter. Senior Adrienne Anderson leads three guards scoring in double figures, averaging 13.7 ppg, and Ro'zhane Wells (10.6 ppg) also started last season. Williamston owns wins over Marshall and East Lansing with a loss only to Port Huron Northern. The Hornets boast only two seniors, making them scary opponents both this week and next season.
Freeland (25-0) vs. Cadillac (19-5) at Big Rapids, 6 p.m.
The Falcons are back in the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2012 after winning their sixth straight District title as well. Senior forward Jenna Gregory leads a balanced lineup scoring 10 points per game. Cadillac is coming off its first Regional title in girls basketball and has upped its win total the last two seasons. Senior 6-foot center Kylie Christensen has been a force with 18.6 points and 11.4 rebounds per game.
Class C
Blissfield (23-2) vs. Detroit Edison PSA (18-5) at Ypsilanti Community, 6:30 p.m.
Blissfield has its third 20-win season and second Quarterfinal berth over the last four years, with its only losses this winter to Class B Bay City John Glenn and Class A Utica Ford. Senior guard Kelsey Wyman (22.9 ppg, 7.1 apg) leads a team trying to make the Semifinals for the first time since 1973. DEPSA loaded its schedule and has lost only to Class A and B teams, with impressive wins over Mumford and Flint Hamady highlighting the slate. There are no seniors but nine freshmen among 12 players total; 6-3 sophomore guard Rickea Jackson and freshman guard Gabrielle Elliott both score just more than 17 points per game.
Flint Hamady (18-5) vs. Hemlock (21-4) at Saginaw Heritage
Hamady will play in a Quarterfinal for the third straight season and fourth in five seasons as it pursues its first Class C title since 2010. The Hawks have only one senior starter, meaning this run shouldn’t end any time soon. Hemlock won its second Regional title after also advancing to this point in 2011. The Huskies have only two seniors, both starting guards, with Samantha Krauss averaging 18.1 ppg.
Schoolcraft (20-5) vs. Pewamo-Westphalia (22-2) at Portage Northern, 6:30 p.m.
Schoolcraft earned its first Regional title last week, avenging its most recent loss in the Regional Semifinal, and has made a jump of four victories from a year ago. Pewamo-Westphalia will return to the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2011 after getting through arguably the toughest Class C District in the state. Junior forward Emily Spitzley leads three averaging at least eight points per game at 13.2 ppg.
Maple City Glen Lake (22-3) vs. St. Ignace (22-2) at Gaylord
St. Ignace has a run of eight straight Regional titles; six times during that run the Saints also made the Semifinals, and five times they advanced to the championship game of that class. Junior 6-1 guard Linnie Gustafson leads three scoring in double figures at 14.5 ppg. Glen Lake also has a long history of Regional titles, but last week's was its first since 2001. The Lakers are over 20 wins for the second straight season with junior forward Jennifer LaCross and senior guard Kelly Bunek leading at just more than 10 points per game.
Class D
Engadine (18-5) vs. Crystal Falls Forest Park (20-4) at Negaunee
Engadine has added to its win total every season over the last four and last week claimed its first Regional title since 2005. Freshman guard Sophia Vaughn is the lead scorer at 18.3 ppg. Forest Park lost out on a league title in the regular-season finale, but avenged that defeat to Bark River-Harris in the Regional Final to make the Quarterfinals for the fifth time in six seasons. Senior guard Abby Nylund leads at 14 ppg.
Waterford Our Lady (19-5) vs. Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (16-9) at Burton Bendle, 6 p.m.
Our Lady won its sixth Regional title in seven seasons and after making the Semifinals last year. Junior Tiffany Senerius leads again as the only starter back from last season’s team. MLS is in the Quarterfinals for the first time since 2012 and seeking its first Semifinal appearance. Sophomore forward Meghan Blaine averages 12.1 points and 7.8 rebounds per game and senior center Rylee Pankow helps with the post power with 10.1 ppg and 9.1 rpg.
St. Joseph Michigan Lutheran (23-2) vs. Pittsford (25-0) at Battle Creek Harper Creek
Pittsford is three wins from a second straight perfect season as star seniors Jaycie Burger (19.2 ppg, 5.3 apg) and Maddie Clark (16.4 ppg, 11.8 rpg) finish up championship careers. Michigan Lutheran won its second Regional title in this sport and first since 2004. Its only losses were to Class A St. Joseph and Class B Buchanan. Senior guard Emily Witkowski averages 19.3 ppg.
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (24-1) vs. Frankfort (16-9) at Buckley
Last season’s Class D runner-up has a more guard-driven look and no seniors, but Sacred Heart has been just as successful with its only loss a three-pointer to league rival Carson City-Crystal. Junior forward Sophie Ruggles and sophomore guard Scout Nelson average 14 and 13.5 ppg, respectively. Frankfort has won 10 of its last 11 games to make the Quarterfinals for the third time in four seasons. Senior forward Cecelia Schmitt averages 17.9 points and nine rebounds per game.
PHOTO: Pewamo-Westphalia pushes the ball upcourt during its District win over Carson City-Crystal two weeks ago. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Freshman-Infused Heritage Overcoming Injuries to Make Big Impression Fast
By
Paul Costanzo
Special for MHSAA.com
January 3, 2025
Saginaw Heritage entered this girls basketball season flying under the radar of most casual observers.
That turned out to be a quick flight.
A 26-point win against reigning Division 1 champion West Bloomfield on Dec. 7 showed the rest of the state what those in the program knew all along – despite having zero seniors, and freshmen making up half their roster, the Hawks are ready to compete at the highest level now.
“I guess I was a little, but I wouldn’t say there was a lot of surprise,” Heritage sophomore Emma Duran said. “We worked a lot this summer and into the season, so when we finally got to the season, we knew how to work as a team and how to get better. I wasn’t really surprised about it, because I knew how much talent we had.”
Heritage has stormed out to a 6-1 start, knocking off not just West Bloomfield, but also postseason contenders such as Sanford Meridian, Freeland, Detroit Cass Tech and Hemlock by an average of 23.2 points.
That’s happened with four freshmen starting most of their games, as the Hawks are not only young, but have been without star junior Alesia Ode for the past four games.
“I knew we had something special probably in April when we started doing workouts,” Heritage coach Jaden Clobes said. “These kids didn’t miss anything all summer. It’s a special group that is really committed to being excellent. It’s fun to coach kids that obviously know basketball, but that also want to get better and are committed to being the best.”
Heritage had a solid season a year ago, going 14-11 and winning a District title in Clobes’ second season in charge of the program before losing to eventual Division 1 runner-up Rockford in a Regional Semifinal.
While not a single upperclassmen was coming back from that team, there were major pieces to build upon. That included leading scorer Ode and classmate Bree Hamilton, who Clobes called the best leader he’s coached. Emma and Ava Duran were also coming back after solid freshman seasons, although a knee injury suffered in April has kept Ava off the court. Clobes called them two of the best defenders he’s coached.
Around those pieces, Clobes was able to add perhaps the most talented freshman class in the state: Josie Ode, Zariya McCrary, Jayla Laster, Brooklyn Isom, Londyn Newton and Phoenix Brownfield.
It’s a group that went unbeaten in middle school (24-0 over two seasons), and several of them play high-level AAU in the offseason.
“We have a lot of talent,” McCrary said. “We all came from a team where we all played together, so we’re used to playing together.”
They immediately meshed with their older teammates and gave Clobes the ability to play his preferred up-tempo, pressing style.
“It was fun to put this group together,” Clobes said. “I’m a pressing coach, and we haven’t had the pieces the first two years to do it. This year, we have the length, we have the size, have the speed, have the IQ. We’ve caused 40 turnover in a game, we’ve caused 35 turnovers in a game. It’s fun to watch this team. They can kind of play the game without me having to say, ‘Hey, set this screen. Do this. Do that.’ I really haven’t had a team where I can just let them go play.”
They’ve earned this type of trust and praise from their coach while playing in big games, and without the help of the older Ode on the court. Their early success, however, has made her feel comfortable waiting until she’s fully healed to come back. A year ago, she said she suffered the same injury and it lingered for much of the season as she rushed returns multiple times.
“I’m proud of these freshmen,” she said. “They’re making big plays to help us win. I love the way they play. They play free. They play with passion. They’re not scared; they just play their game.”
As great as those freshmen have been, in order for Heritage to reach the goals it’s set for itself, Alesia Ode will be needed. But it’s been nice to have others grow their roles in her absence.
“Losing Alesia, obviously as a junior and someone who knows how to play, definitely is a challenge,” Hamilton said. “She gives us 15 points a game, so we lost those. But we’ve had freshmen step up. She’s also a good leader, so I’ve stepped up as that.”
One other thing that could help the Hawks reach that goal – the one loss on their record. Heritage lost its most recent game 60-51 against Howell, handing the freshmen their first-ever defeat playing basketball for their school.
“That was very eye-opening for us,” Hamilton said. “We have six freshmen on varsity, and they haven’t lost a game. The outside view does really get to you sometimes, and we came in and honestly did not have good practices before. It was a big learning moment, which was good. It’s eye opening and a good lesson that hard work is really what you need. You need to come into practice every single day and work hard. There are no rest days.”
To hammer that point home, Clobes hands out a hard hat to the hardest-working player each week. They tote it around during school, bring it to practice and set it at the end of the bench during games as a reminder.
“There’s a great quote that says, ‘Hard work does not equal success,’” Clobes said. “‘It’s the opportunity for success.’”
If it all comes together, the Hawks feel they can achieve their goals – which include getting past Rockford in the Regional, making a trip to Breslin for Finals weekend, and winning it – and the pieces do appear to be falling into place.
If they don’t, the Hawks certainly seem to be fine for at least another year, and likely longer, as they try to bring the program back to the heights it reached in 2002, 2018 and 2019, when they brought home Finals titles.
While they acknowledge that the future if full of those possibilities, they’d much rather take care of business now.
“Our huge goal is winning a state championship this year or next year, and getting to the Breslin Center,” Emma Duran said. “We want to do it with this team. We hope to, and that’s our top goal is winning a championship. Or, it could be both years.”
Paul Costanzo served as a sportswriter at The Port Huron Times Herald from 2006-15, including three years as lead sportswriter, and prior to that as sports editor at the Hillsdale Daily News from 2005-06. He can be reached at [email protected] with story ideas for Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Saginaw, Bay, Arenac, Midland and Gladwin counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Saginaw Heritage’s Bree Hamilton (11) makes a move toward the basket during a win over Freeland. (Middle) Hawks coach Jaden Clobes (kneeling) huddles with his team. (Below) Josie Ode (23) looks to make a play against the Falcons. (Photos courtesy of the Saginaw Heritage girls basketball program.)