Calumet Steps Closer to Class C Throne
March 19, 2015
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
EAST LANSING – Clara Loukus was all jitters when Thursday’s first Class C Semifinal tipped off at the Breslin Center. And her coach Jeff Twardzik knew it.
But he also could tell from the way she launched her 3-point shot with three minutes to play that it would find the bottom of the net – and more importantly, that she was ready to carry the Copper Kings to their first MHSAA championship game.
Loukus scored one third of Calumet’s points and spearheaded a defensive effort that stopped undefeated Laingsburg cold over the final seven minutes of the fourth quarter.
And the Copper Kings indeed moved on, edging the top-ranked Wolfpack 30-26 to advance to Saturday’s 4 p.m. Final against Flint Hamady.
“Last night I couldn’t sleep. ... The first half I was riled up,” Loukus said. “The second half came, and I calmed myself down, got my got my rhythm. I knew I had my whole team behind me, and I had to do this for them.”
Stingy defense played a part in both teams advancing to the Semifinals this season for the first time. Laingsburg (26-1) gave up only 25.7 points per game entering Thursday, while Calumet (23-2) wasn’t far behind that pace, allowing 32.5.
And that certainly played out from the opening tip. Laingsburg did make 50 percent of its shots during the first half – but launched only 10 times. Calumet shot 10 percent better during the second half than the first – but only 39 percent from the floor over the final two quarters and 32 percent for the game.
Although the Wolfpack made only two of 11 shots during the third quarter, the Copper Kings still trailed 23-21 when a Laingsburg turnover at 7:14 of the fourth started a run that will be among highlights of Calumet’s historic trip downstate.
The Copper Kings earned that turnover with their fullcourt press, and tied the score on junior Leah Kiilunen’s basket with 6:26 to play. Calumet then forced another turnover, and then another when Loukus gathered a steal with 5:06 on the clock.
The teams traded missed shots until senior Alexis Rowe dropped in a layup with 4:22 to play to give the Copper Kings a 25-23 lead. Another miss and turnover set up Loukus for her game-deciding 3-pointer with 3:02 to play.
“She’s that heartbeat that never quits,” Twardzik said. “You never quite now when it’s going to come, but that 3-poiner, I could tell when it left her hands. The kids were nervous coming in, understandably. But I could tell she calmed down, and she took that shot in rhythm.”
Laingsburg did score its first and only basket of the final period with 1:26 to play to pull within 28-26. But the Wolfpack turned the ball over twice more, the second time on a pass into the middle of the lane that Loukus intercepted. She was fouled and made both free throw attempts with nine seconds to play.
“I turned to my assistant and I said, ‘She’s going to make these two,’” Twardzik said. “That’s the way she’s built.”
Loukas finished with 10 points and five steals, and Rowe added seven points. Junior 6-foot-2 center Janie Torola came off the bench and became an obstacle in the middle playing all but two minutes of the second half, and she grabbed nine rebounds and blocked three shots to go with seven points.
Freshman Sophie Wilsey led Laingsburg with eight points and four rebounds.
"For the last four or five games, we've struggled a little bit with our offense. We've been managing to score in the 30s or 40 range, and with our defense that typically gives us the opportunity to win," Laingsburg coach Doug Hurst said. "Tonight it was a credit to their defense as well, a lot of it to their defense, actually. … They're big, they're long, and that kinda changed things a little bit."
Calumet entered the tournament unranked, and traveled 500 miles to East Lansing after making their first Quarterfinal appearance Tuesday since 1977.
“This is everybody’s dream, to get here. And when you step into the first practice, you talk to the kids; why not dream big?” Twardzik said. “I truly believed in this group of kids. I’ve had an opportunity to be a part since they were very young, (because) my daughter (Ellen) is a senior.
“In my wildest dreams, did I have this dream? Yes. Did I believe it could be true? Absolutely.”
“We come from a small town. Not a lot of people know about you,” Rowe added. “I remember yesterday, coming down in the gym, everybody’s eyes were wide open. Friday we’ve just got to go back to the mental (preparation), and Saturday just wake up and play our game and be ready.”
Click for the full box score and video of the press conference.
PHOTOS: (Top) Calumet's Abby Bjorn (44) works to get around Laingsburg's Sara Hurst on Thursday. (Middle) The Copper Kings' Alexis Rowe goes up for a shot while Julia Angst (5) works for a stop.
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.)