Hemlock, Rockford Follow 3-Point Success to 1st Titles, Record Book Fame
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
September 1, 2023
Hemlock and Rockford's drives to their first Girls Basketball Finals championships in March were paced in part by some of the strongest 3-point shooting in MHSAA history.
The Division 1 title-winning Rams connected on 243 3-pointers – third-most all-time – over 29 games in tying the single-season wins record while finishing 28-1. Grace Lyons, a senior this fall, made the single-season individual list with 70 3-pointers.
The Huskies won in Division 3 having connected on 229 3-pointers over 29 games, seventh-most in MHSAA history, on 678 attempts, which ranks 12th on that list. Chloe Watson made the single-season list with 75 3-pointers, and Regan Finkbeiner did as well connecting on 67.
Watson also made the career 3-pointers list with 224 and Finkbeiner with 194, and 2017 Hemlock graduate Samantha Krauss was added for 65 3-pointers as a junior in 2015-16 and 188 for her career. Additionally, past Hemlock standout Karli Herrington was added for her 317 rebounds in 2012-13, and Peyton Apsey was added for 144 steals in 2010-11.
Watson is continuing her career at Mid-Michigan College, and Finkbeiner is playing softball at Madonna. Herrington went on to play at Central Michigan and Northwood, Krauss played at Ferris State and Apsey played at Oakland.
Read on for more recent record book additions for girls basketball:
Girls Basketball
Hudsonville’s Maddie Petroelje joined the list of top 3-point shooters in MHSAA history as a junior in 2021-22, when she connected on 70 (in just 147 attempts) to make the single-season list. She graduated this spring 16th on the career list as well with 226 3-pointers in 512 attempts over 92 games and four seasons. She is continuing at Loyola (Ill.).
Byron Center’s Avery Zeinstra also finished her career among those top 3-point shooters. She also made the single-season list with 70 in 147 attempts as a freshman in 2018-19, and she capped her career in 2021-22 with 206 3-pointers (tied for 20th-most) in 502 attempts over four seasons and 80 career games. She is continuing at Grand Valley State.
Hannah Thompson was best known for her soccer scoring at Schoolcraft. But she’s made a second MHSAA record book for her 15 steals in a Jan. 28, 2022, basketball win over Galesburg-Augusta. She’s continuing her soccer career at Eastern Michigan.
Baraga’s run to the Division 4 Semifinals in 2022 received big boosts from Corina Jahfetson’s 3-point shooting and Reide Osterman’s defense. Jahfetson was added to the record book with 66 3-pointers over 25 games, including nine in a game against Carney Nadeau – when Baraga as a team made the record book with 14 3-pointers total. Osterman made the record book with 153 steals. Jahfetson graduated this spring, and Osterman is playing at Northern Michigan.
Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation Academy’s Audrey Mileski had one of the busiest games at the free throw line in MHSAA history Dec. 14, 2021. She made 23 free throws – third-most in a single game – against Wyoming Kelloggsville. Mileski graduated this spring.
Sophia Bussell had set Monroe’s single-game 3-pointers record of eight as a freshman two seasons ago, and she bettered it last Dec. 13 by tying for the 10th-most in MHSAA history. She made 10-pointers including the game-winner of a 58-56 victory over Ypsilanti Lincoln. A little less than 10 months earlier, Adrian Lenawee Christian then-senior Kylie Summer also made 10, on 17 attempts, during a 57-34 win over Lansing Christian on Feb. 24, 2022.
Lydia Meredith enjoyed a memorable senior season for Portland St. Patrick in 2021-22, finishing her four-year varsity career with 453 steals over just 80 games. She also was added for drilling 17 free throws in 22 attempts against Fowler. She plays now at Saginaw Valley State.
Gabby Piepho got off to a fast start at Howell as a freshman last season, and at a record-setting pace at the free-throw line. She made 93 of 107 attempts over 25 games, for an .869 percentage that made the single-season list. That included a string of 47 straight free throws that ranks as the second-longest in MHSAA history. As a team, Howell tied for sixth all-time with 301 free throws over 25 games, on 439 attempts.
Kent City’s Lexie Bowers reached the single-season 3-pointers list for the second time last season, connecting on 72 of 233 tries over 26 games (after making 77 as a junior), and finished her four-season varsity career 16th on that 3-pointers list with 225 in 693 attempts over 99 games. She’s continuing her career at Northwood. Kent City as a team also reached the single-season 3-pointers made and attempted lists again, ranking fourth with 753 attempts and tying for eighth all-time by connecting on 202.
Posen then-junior Faith Cousins earned a par of record book entries during 2021-22 for assists. Her 16 in a District Final win on March 4, 2022, remain tied for fifth-most in one game, and she finished with 165 over 22 games for the season. She’s set to begin her softball career at Alma College.
Niles Brandywine went over 20 wins again this past season, finishing 21-3, and again the 3-pointer was a key tool in that pursuit. Brandywine made the record book with back-to-back games of 13 3-pointers to close the regular season, and finished with 175 3-pointers in 592 attempts over 23 games (with one won by forfeit).
Greenville’s Megan Leslie averaged more than two 3-pointers a game during her four-season varsity career, making the record list with 153 total over 76 games through graduation this spring. She’s continuing her career at Alma College.
Successful 3-point shooting played a major role in Saline finishing 21-4 with league and District titles last winter. The Hornets attempted 704 3-pointers – ninth-most all-time for one season – and connected on 191, which is 12th on that list. They made a season-high 14 against Ypsilanti Lincoln on Nov. 29 to make the single-game list.
Marcellus senior Brooklyn VanTilburg enjoyed a big finish to her high school career last winter, making the record book with 16 blocked shots in a game against Centreville and 135 blocks total for the season. She’ll continue at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
Kennedy Gustafson made headlines last winter as a sophomore and earned a pair of record listings for her rebounding. She grabbed 26 in a March 3 District Final win over Muskegon Western Michigan Christian, and she finished with 376 rebounds over 25 games for the season.
PHOTO Hemlock's Regan Finkbeiner, left, follows through on a free throw attempt during last season's Division 3 Final, and Rockford's Grace Lyons launches the game-winning 3-pointer in Division 1.
Breslin Bound: 2024-25 Girls Regional Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 10, 2025
The first week of this girls basketball postseason proved to be a notable rematch season as well – and some familiar opponents will face off again as we move into Regionals tonight.
Our top two "Week in Review" games below were reversals of regular-season series, and multiple brackets we preview also feature rematches from the regular season or the 2024 MHSAA Tournament.
Find everything you need to know this week about tickets, brackets and more as the tournament continues on the Girls Basketball page. To watch any of several games online, visit the NFHS Network, and see below for several of the intriguing matchups. Host sites are in bold.
“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. Gladstone 50, Negaunee 47 Gladstone (22-2) avenged its only two losses of the regular season, downing the Miners (22-1) in a Division 2 District Final after previously losing their matchups by 17 and 14.
2. Midland Dow 58, Midland 49 The Chargers (16-8) had finished tied for fifth in the Saginaw Valley League and fallen to Midland (19-4) by three and 15 during the regular season before providing this jolt to the rivalry in their Division 1 District Final.
3. South Lyon 55, Northville 47 The Lakes Valley Conference’s Lions (20-2) won a matchup of league champions in this Division 1 District Final, ending the season for the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West’s Mustangs (15-9).
4. Blissfield 57, Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 42 The Royals (21-2) entered the postseason off a loss but finished a Division 3 District title run by handing St. Mary (22-2) just its second of the season.
5. Harbor Beach 44, Cass City 39 The Pirates (14-7) avenged a 15-point loss from Dec. 11 and also District losses from the last three seasons in edging the Red Hawks (21-3) in this Division 3 decider.
Regionals at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold:
DIVISION 1
Howell
South Lyon (20-2) vs. Hartland (19-5)
Dexter (18-6) vs. Belleville (23-1)
It would be easy to assume KLAA East co-champion Belleville is the favorite – and tough to argue as the Tigers play to reach Breslin for the second-straight season. But it’s also not that simple. As noted above, South Lyon also a league champion, and Hartland avenged a pair of losses to Howell (17-7) on Friday with a 10-point win to advance. Dexter finished second in the Southeastern Conference Red but has won 12 of its last 13, the only defeat during that time by one point to Chelsea (18-4). But bringing things back to Belleville, it’s only loss was to Wayne Memorial, avenged two weeks later, and only one other opponent has come within single digits of catching the Tigers this season.
Traverse City Central
Traverse City Central (16-6) vs. Midland Dow (16-8)
Saginaw Heritage (21-3) vs. Rockford (23-1)
The Big North Conference champion Trojans host coming off their 14th win over their last 15 games – including also defeating Midland in their regular season finale – and now get the surging Chargers who have won 10 straight. Heritage finished second to Midland in the SVL and also has won 10 straight and defeated Dow by 11 just before that streak began. All three will hope their momentum pays off as Rockford is bringing a 21-game winning streak into this week as it continues to pursue a fourth-straight trip to Breslin. The Rams have lost only to Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (23-1) while playing one of the state’s strongest schedules.
Westland John Glenn
Farmington Hills Mercy (19-4) vs. Wayne Memorial (18-6)
Detroit Renaissance (21-2) vs. Bloomfield Hills Marian (10-15)
This bracket includes three league champions – Wayne sharing in the KLAA East, Renaissance from the Detroit Public School League Blue and Mercy from the Catholic High School League Central West. Those three also have not played each other this season but have common opponents, adding to the intrigue. Wayne has won 16 of its last 18, Mercy 14 of its last 15 and Renaissance’s defeats both came to opponents with at least 19 wins. Marian is a great story too, emerging from fifth in the CHSL Central West to build a run of seven wins over its last 10 games, and with nine of its losses to teams that won at least 14 games during the regular season.
DIVISION 2
Grand Rapids South Christian
Paw Paw (20-4) vs. Grand Rapids South Christian (22-2)
Edwardsburg (15-9) vs. Vicksburg (22-2)
The Wolverine Conference has shown its power this postseason with champion Vicksburg, runner-up Paw Paw and fourth-place Edwardsburg claiming District titles last week. Vicksburg’s lone defeat was 50-47 to Paw Paw on Jan. 31 after defeating the Red Wolves 66-65 on Dec. 6, and a third meeting between them no doubt would be a gem. Edwardsburg did take a win from Paw Paw as well, on Jan. 15, and fell to Vicksburg only 33-29 in their second meeting Feb. 21. South Christian, meanwhile, shared the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold title with Grand Rapids West Catholic (20-3), with the Sailors’ only other loss this season by two in December to Hudsonville (17-7) – which won a District title in Division 1.
Pinckney
Goodrich (21-3) vs. Eaton Rapids (13-10)
Haslett (21-3) vs. Chelsea (18-4)
Goodrich and Chelsea are coming off especially notable District Final wins, Goodrich over Flint Powers Catholic (18-6) and Chelsea over Parma Western (21-3) – and they won those games by 16 and 17 points, respectively. Goodrich’s defeats all came to teams with at least 18 wins, and Chelsea’s to opponents with at least 16 victories. Haslett defeated a familiar opponent in rival Williamston but, like Goodrich and Chelsea, has played several top teams over the course of the winter with a win over Detroit Country Day (18-5) and losses to three 20-win opponents. Eaton Rapids is bringing some juice as well with 10 wins over its last 14 games and some good losses along the way.
Tecumseh
Carleton Airport (17-7) vs. Tecumseh (22-1)
Romulus (15-5) vs. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (23-1)
This Regional includes two of the top contenders in Division 2 overall, as they played the second and fourth-strongest schedules during the regular season and still have just one loss apiece. Tecumseh defeated Airport 76-44 in both teams’ regular-season finale, but Airport has won 15 over its last 18 overall. The Jets were runners-up in the Huron League, and Romulus was runner-up in the Western Wayne Athletic Conference and has won 12 of its last 14. Father Gabriel Richard finished Division 2 runner-up last season after defeating Tecumseh in a Quarterfinal.
DIVISION 3
Grandville Calvin Christian
Grandville Calvin Christian (18-6) vs. Kent City (19-5)
Pewamo-Westphalia (24-0) vs. Saugatuck (23-1)
All four of these teams added District titles to league championships this season. Pewamo-Westphalia has prepped for its run by winning the Central Michigan Athletic Conference – which had three more winners of at least 17 games – and also defeated Flint Powers (see above) and New Lothrop (noted below). Saugatuck lost only to Lawton (15-6) in its first game of 2025 and owns an 11-point win over Kalamazoo Christian (also noted below), while annual contender Kent City has won 12 of its last 14 games and Calvin Christian bounced back from an 0-3 start to the season and two losses heading into the playoffs – avenging the second of those with a 45-42 win over Muskegon Western Michigan Christian in their District Final.
Niles Brandywine
Watervliet (11-13) vs. Kalamazoo Christian (20-4)
Niles Brandywine (14-0) vs. Bronson (22-2)
Reigning Division 3 runner-up Brandywine headlines a powerful field and defeated Bronson 69-37 on Jan. 14. The Bobcats’ closest game was eight points, and the rest of their wins were by double digits. Bronson hasn’t lost since – it’s only other defeat by three to Concord (19-4) – as it went on to share the Big 8 Conference title and build a 17-game winning streak. Kalamazoo Christian made it through a third matchup with rival Hackett Catholic Prep, winning the District Final 53-38 after those two split regular-season meetings, and the Comets’ other three losses were to Division 2 or 3 teams that won their Districts. Watervliet started this season 1-6 but has bounced back significantly and has six wins over its last seven games.
Springport
New Lothrop (21-3) vs. Hemlock (21-3)
Leslie (18-6) vs. Jackson Lumen Christi (17-6)
New Lothrop and Hemlock will face off in a meeting of league champions, Hemlock from the Tri-Valley Conference Blue and New Lothrop after sharing the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title. New Lothrop’s losses this season were by a combined 11 points and all of its wins this calendar year have come by double digits. All 21 of Hemlock’s wins were by 10 or more points, with its losses to three Division 1 and 2 teams that are still playing as well. On the other side of the bracket, Leslie has emerged after finishing third in a strong Cascades Conference East, and Lumen the same from a tough CHSL Central East. Lumen defeated Cascades East champ Grass Lake (19-4) in their District Final, 59-52.
DIVISION 4
Marlette
Genesee Christian (21-2) vs. Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (15-6)
Kingston (20-2) vs. Ubly (9-14)
Kingston finished Division 4 runner-up a year ago and loaded up to prep for another run losing only to Division 1 Saginaw Heritage (see above) and Division 2 Imlay City. The Cardinals interestingly have a 42-38 win over Ubly from Feb. 3, and the Bearcats stunned in downing Deckerville (18-6) to clinch a District title. Genesee Christian also has played several larger opponents this season, losing only to Division 2 Flint Hamady (20-1) and Adrian Lenawee Christian (12-11). The Soldiers advanced with a District Final win over Clarkston Everest Collegiate (18-3), a common opponent with Our Lady, which won its first District title since 2021 and is enjoying its winningest season since 2019-20.
McBain
Gaylord St. Mary (20-3) vs. Mio (18-5)
Buckley (17-7) vs. Frankfort (16-6)
This bracket also includes three league champions plus three repeats from a year ago. Start with Frankfort, which won the Northwest Conference but faces fourth-place Buckley for the third time after losing their first meeting by one point but winning the rematch Jan. 31 by 13. The Panthers have won 11 of their last 13 games, and Buckley has won nine of its last 11. St. Mary won the Ski Valley Conference just ahead of another 20-win District champ in Indian River Inland Lakes but faces a unique but familiar challenge in Mio. The Thunderbolts won the North Star League Little Dipper title and feature Mia McGregor, who averaged 41 points per game last season as a freshman, but St. Mary did win their Regional matchup last year 61-54 before falling to Frankfort 64-37 in the Regional Final.
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (20-0) vs. Onekama (20-4)
Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary (18-6) vs. Fowler (22-2)
Fowler reached the Division 4 Semifinals last season, and its only losses this winter were to Division 3 Pewamo-Westphalia (see above) – with a recent win over Division 1 Holt (17-7) another reminder of the Eagles’ potential. Sacred Heart’s undefeated run came in part against a Mid-State Activities Conference that produced four more teams with 13 or more wins, and Onekama finished second in a Northwest Conference that produced three District champs. MLS finished second in the TVC Blue to Hemlock (see above) and has wins over the second and third-place teams from the MSAC – St. Charles and Merrill, respectively – with four losses to teams that have won 21 games.
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) Gladstone players including Lillie Johnson (21) and coaches celebrate their Division 2 District Final win over Negaunee on Friday. (Middle) DeWitt’s Golden Nicholson (24) drives to the basket with Lundyn Elam (4) defending during the Panthers’ 55-35 District title win over East Lansing in Division 1. (Gladstone/Negaunee photo by Cara Kamps. DeWitt/East Lansing photo by Terry Lyons.)