To Get Ahead, Heritage Gets Defensive
March 16, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
GRAND RAPIDS – This season, the Saginaw Heritage girls basketball team had, as junior Shine Strickland-Gills called it, an “epiphany.”
And it’s made the difference between another 20-win season and getting a chance to play for the Class A championship.
Expectations have been high the last few seasons for a Hawks group that’s shown plenty of ability against big-time opponents, but never put it entirely together for an MHSAA Tournament run.
After Friday’s 46-28 Semifinal win over Grosse Pointe North, Heritage finds itself one more victory from making good on all of that potential.
“It was a disappointment (last year) because we lost in second round Districts, and we were supposed to win,” Strickland-Gills said. “We didn’t because we really didn’t come out hard, and I feel like we’ve done what we’re supposed to do. We’ve actually listened and taken heed of what (coach Vonnie DeLong) has told us. And we’ve actually applied it in a game, and it really works.
“We had an epiphany.”
Heritage will face East Lansing in Saturday’s 12:15 championship game at Calvin College’s Van Noord Arena.
A Class A title would be the Hawks’ first since 2002 and cap a fourth straight season with at least 20 wins – but after Heritage was eliminated during the first week of the tournament a year ago.
All but four of the team’s points Friday were scored by four players with lots of experience, but who also had experienced last season’s disappointment.
Junior Mallory McCartney had 13 points, while Strickland-Gills added 12, seven rebounds and four steals. Senior Jessica Bicknell had eight points and three steals, and junior Moira Joiner had nine points, five rebounds and three steals.
Joiner scored six points below her average and had only a point during the first half. But she also defended Grosse Pointe North star junior Julia Ayrault –holding her to 13 points, six below her average as well.
“My (coaches) go a great job scouting and really let us know what we have to do,” Joiner said. “For me, if I’m guarding the best player, I need to look at film and know what their tendencies are. Like Julia, she likes to drive and pull up, or she’ll shoot the long 3 so I have to get my hands up. It’s just a lot of paying attention.
“It was pretty obvious today; I didn’t have the best game I could have. But I knew if I could keep Julia to a certain amount of points, then my team could pick it up on the offensive end.”
Despite shooting only 38 percent from the floor over the first 16 minutes, Heritage (26-1) led by three after a quarter and nine at halftime. The Hawks kicked into gear during a 17-6 third quarter run as they drilled 57 percent of their shots and pulled away.
The 6-foot-2 Ayrault, who already has committed to sign with Michigan State, had nine rebounds and four blocks to go with her 13 points. But North (20-6) couldn’t recover from 23 turnovers, and as a team put up 18 fewer shots than the Hawks.
The 28 points were a season low by 13, but the experience should prove valuable for a team graduating only one senior.
“This whole season has been pretty much a gift to us. When we started, I didn’t think we were a very good basketball team,” said North coach Gary Bennett, who completed his 35th season. “Some time in January, things started to click a little bit and we started to become a better basketball team. And I mean a team in the truest sense of the word – we have a superstar and we’ve got role players, and the role player know they need the superstar and the superstar knows she needs the role players. And that’s kinda been our season.”
PHOTOS: (Top) Saginaw Heritage’s Madison Camp, left and Mallory McCartney provide a pair of obstacles between Grosse Pointe North and the basket Friday. (Middle) Heritage’s Moira Joiner defends North’s Julia Ayrault.
Breslin Bound: 2025-26 Girls Quarterfinal Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 17, 2026
The return of winter – in a massive way – has made getting into this final week of the MHSAA girls basketball season a little complicated, to put it more lightly than the snow has been falling.
But plans are set, and all Quarterfinals are a go – to be played tonight and Wednesday – with one more win needed to keep the road trip going all the way to East Lansing.
Below are quick glances at all 16 matchups. Games tip off at 7 p.m. today unless noted. Details on tickets, brackets and more can be found on the Girls Basketball page. To watch all 16 games online, visit the NFHS Network.
“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid and based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com. (Abbreviations below denote ppg - points per game, rpg - rebounds per game, apg - assists per game, and spg - steals per game.)
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Cass City 54, Sandusky 30 Cass City (19-5) in Division 3 clinched its first Regional championship in this sport while avenging a regular-season loss to Sandusky (23-2).
2. Onekama 49, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 47 A last-second basket over the Irish (19-6) gave the Portagers (18-7) this Division 4 win and their first Regional title since 1997.
3. Detroit Renaissance 62, Wayne Memorial 60 (2 OT) Renaissance (21-2) advanced to this week by winning this Division 1 thriller, avenging a 22-point regular-season loss to the Zebras (21-3).
4. Ishpeming 40, Ewen-Trout Creek 29 The Hematites (22-3) clinched their Regional title by downing last season’s Division 4 runner-up in E-TC (22-4).
5. Fraser 47, New Baltimore Anchor Bay 43 Fraser (24-2) claimed its first Regional title since 2006 by coming back from 11 points down to catch Anchor Bay (23-3).
Quarterfinals at a Glance
DIVISION 1
Muskegon (23-2) vs. Grand Haven (23-3) at Hudsonville
These two met Jan. 28, with Grand Haven winning 47-46. The Big Reds haven’t lost since, and they have a big-time scorer in senior guard and Miss Basketball Award finalist Marian Sain (20.2 ppg, 42 3-pointers) – who is making nearly 48 percent of her 3-point tries. Grand Haven does damage in the post led by 6-foot-4 junior center Mallory Woiteshek (15.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.3 bpg), one of the state’s top volleyball players.
Utica Eisenhower (23-2) vs. Fraser (24-2) at Detroit Mercy
Eisenhower is playing in its first Quarterfinal since 1982, and Fraser in its first since 2006. Guard Janielle Turner is one of three sophomore Eisenhower starters and leads four Eagles scoring in double figures at 13 ppg. Senior forward Brynn Norbeck (13 ppg, 9.1 rpg) and 6-3 freshman center Nylah Bell (11.3 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 3.1 bpg) are a powerful pair in the post for the Ramblers.
DeWitt (21-4) vs. Belleville (25-1) at Mason
This is a rematch from a year ago, when Belleville won 59-54. The reigning Division 1 champion Tigers this winter have avenged their lone loss to Howell with a 58-44 Regional Semifinal win last week and again boast Miss Basketball Award finalist Se’Crette Carter and 2027 favorite Sydney Savoury. DeWitt graduated two 1,000-point scorers after last season but has made it all the way back with senior forward Carly Dennis (12.1 ppg) leading a balanced lineup.
Dearborn (14-11) vs. Detroit Renaissance (21-2) at Detroit Mercy, 5:30 p.m.
Dearborn is coming off its first Regional championship and notably achieved that starting four sophomores and junior, with that junior – 6-2 center Zeinab Homayed – leading the way at 14 points, 11 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. Renaissance got past Wayne Memorial 62-60 in overtime to advance, avenging a 22-point loss from December. Senior forward Jaebri’an Autry sets the pace at 15 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
DIVISION 2
Petoskey (22-3) vs. Flint Powers Catholic (23-3) at Lake City, Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Petoskey won its second Regional title this week and will play in its first Quarterfinal since 1999. Three Northmen – all underclassmen – score between 10-13 points per game, with freshman guard Elaina Flynn tops at 13 ppg and joined by sophomore guard Lyla Janes (10.3 ppg) and freshman forward Ella Sulitis (10 ppg). Two of Powers’ losses came to teams playing in Division 1 Quarterfinals. Senior guard Kendyl Smith was a Miss Basketball Award finalist and averages 17.8 points, 4.7 assists and three assists per game.
Tecumseh (24-2) vs. Carleton Airport (24-2) at Chelsea
Reigning Division 2 champion Tecumseh has given up more than 39 points only once over its last 14 wins and has five players scoring at least nine points per game led by sisters freshman Avery (13.3 ppg) and junior Addi Zajac (13.2). Airport is making its first trip to the Quarterfinals and riding a 16-game winning streak. Junior Sophia Mator (16.7 ppg) and senior Olivia Gratz (15.4) are the lead scorers from a potent guard-driven attack.
Detroit Country Day (15-9) vs. Goodrich (26-0) at St. Clair County Community College
Goodrich is playing in a Quarterfinal for the fourth-straight season and hasn’t lost since last year’s against Tecumseh. Junior guard Baylor Lauinger scores a team-high 15.5 ppg with a team-best 4.2 assists per contest for the Martians. After losses the last two seasons to Detroit Edison – including in last season’s Quarterfinal – and another in December, Country Day defeated the Pioneers 51-43 in a Regional Semifinal on the way to this week. Senior guard Naiya Krispin scores a team-high 14.9 ppg and is a strong outside shooter.
Grand Rapids West Catholic (20-5) vs. Grand Rapids South Christian (26-0) at Hudsonville Unity Christian
This will be the third meeting this season between the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold champion Sailors and runner-up West Catholic, with South Christian winning the first two by 11 and six points. The Sailors have four players scoring between 10-13 points per game, and also four who have made at least 30 3-pointers this season – senior guard Lizzie Wolthuis is on both lists at 12 ppg and 64 3s. Sophomore guard Kenley Slanger is the top perimeter threat for the Falcons at 16.8 ppg while making 35 percent of her 3-point attempts.
DIVISION 3
Cass City (19-5) vs. Pewamo-Westphalia (24-2) at Millington
After taking its only loss last season in its Regional Final, P-W has advanced a step farther. Sophomore forward Adrianna Eklund (12.8 ppg) and senior guard Elly Bengel (12) lead a balanced lineup with several strong 3-point shooters. Cass City won its first Regional title last week, avenging a 17-point loss to Sandusky from the regular-season finale. Sophomore Skylar Ignash (19.2 ppg) and freshman Isabella Bennett (13.5) are a talented one-two scoring punch who make the future bright as well.
Roscommon (20-3) vs. Morley Stanwood (22-3) at Lake City
Roscommon is playing in its first Quarterfinal since 1996 and has advanced by winning all of its postseason games by at least 16 points. Morley Stanwood is back for the first time since winning the Class C title in 2012, with senior forward Katelynne Nawrot (17.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg) setting the pace in the post and potentially matching up with Roscommon senior forward Alex Carper (11.4 ppg, 9.0 rpg) near the basket.
Jackson Lumen Christi (22-3) vs. Plymouth Christian Academy (21-5) at Ypsilanti Lincoln
The Titans are playing in a Quarterfinal for the second-straight season, with sophomore point guard Kenna Hunt (19.9 ppg, 3.8 spg) continuing to establish herself among the top players in her class statewide. PCA has made a nice jump this season from 12-12 a year ago, paced by four senior starters and leading scorer Lauren Scott, a freshman guard averaging 16.1 ppg with 58 3-pointers.
Hart (16-9) vs. Niles Brandywine (25-1) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
Hart won its first Regional title since 2023 and rebounded from a few stumbles at the end of the regular season, avenging losses to Shelby and Kent City along the way. Junior guard Rilynn Porter leads at 15.3 ppg with 59 3-pointers and also more than three assists and three steals per contest. Brandywine is seeking to reach Breslin for the third-straight season and with two starters back from a year ago in junior Lily Gill (13.7 ppg) and senior Karleigh Byrd (9.3).
DIVISION 4
Morenci (25-1) vs. Kingston (26-0) at West Bloomfield
This may be the most intriguing Quarterfinal of all, with the only loss between these teams Morenci’s to Brooklyn Columbia Central two months ago. Kingston fell a game short of reaching the final week last season but is back led by senior guard Molly Walker (29.1 ppg, 71 3-pointers), who went over 2,000 career points in the team’s Regional Final win. Morenci has a top perimeter scorer as well in senior guard Emersyn Bachelder (18.1 ppg).
Ishpeming (22-3) vs. Indian River Inland Lakes (22-3) at Gaylord, Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Ishpeming is just two years removed from winning the Division 4 title and is one game away from playing at Breslin again, with senior guard Jenessa Eagle (24.4 ppg) and senior center Mya Hemmer (16.6) starters from that previous run. Inland Lakes is playing in its first Quarterfinal after playing into Regionals the last three seasons. Senior forward Chloe Robinson leads a balanced attack at 13.1 ppg.
Frankfort (17-7) vs. Onekama (18-7) at Cadillac
Both posted some of last week’s biggest headlines, Frankfort downing Mio and then handing Gaylord St. Mary just its second loss and Onekama winning its first Regional title since 1997. Frankfort defeated Onekama by six and four in their meetings this season. Senior forward Addie Jarosz (11.4 ppg, 8.8 rpg) is a stat-sheet filler for the Panthers, and junior guard Ava Mauntler leads a balanced Portagers lineup in scoring (10.5 ppg) and assists.
Portland St. Patrick (21-5) vs. Concord (24-2) at Mason
Concord is playing to reach the Semifinals for the second-straight season as it seeks a first championship to go with that won by its boys team Saturday. Senior guard Cieara Barrett (18.7 ppg) and junior guard Bradie Lehman (18.6) have both reached 1,000 career points this season. Portland St. Patrick is playing its first Quarterfinal since 2012, with junior guard Gracelyn Rockey (15.5 ppg) a force leading the team in scoring, 3-pointers, rebounds (6.8), assists, steals (3.4) and blocks.
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PHOTOS (Top) Kingston senior Molly Walker (left) leads a rush up court during her team’s Regional Final victory over Deckerville on Wednesday. (Middle) Utica Eisenhower’s Madison Repicky (0) walls off the lane during her team’s Regional Final win over Clarkston. (Below) Ewen-Trout Creek's McKayla Basel (30) and Bree Besonen (2) and Ishpeming's Mya Hemmer go after a loose ball during their Division 4 Regional Final. (Kingston/Deckerville photo by Kolleth Photo. Eisenhower/Clarkston photo by Terry Lyons. Ishpeming/Ewen-Trout Creek photo by Cara Kamps.)