Breslin Bound: 2023-24 Girls District Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 4, 2024
The MHSAA will conclude this 2023-24 winter season with girls basketball, and every unforgettable run we’ll talk about during that third weekend in March begins this week as more than 700 teams across Michigan chart their course for East Lansing.
District play will tip off tonight, with 128 brackets emptying into next week’s Regionals and then, eventually, the Semifinals at Breslin Center on March 21.
We always switch up our “Breslin Bound” format just a bit once the MHSAA Tournament starts, as last week’s most intriguing results below are followed this time by glances at three District brackets of note in each division. Host sites are bolded, and teams playing in those brackets are listed in order of how they stacked up by Michigan Power Rating (MPR) when seeding was announced Feb. 25, with the top seeds listed first.
Everything you could want to know this week about tickets, brackets and more can be found on the Girls Basketball page. To watch any of several 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.
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Grand Blanc 45, Midland Dow 37 – In a winner-take-all for the Saginaw Valley League title, Grand Blanc (17-4) clinched it for the first time by handing the Chargers (19-3) their only conference loss.
2. Frankenmuth 43, Lansing Catholic 36 – In one of the most impressive weeks for any team statewide all season, Frankenmuth (20-2) won this rematch of last year’s Division 2 championship game, before defeating Detroit Edison 63-58 two days later.
3. Kent City 43, Morley Stanwood 33 – Morley Stanwood (17-4) had finished a game ahead of Kent City (and two others) in the Central State Activities Association during the league season, but Kent City (18-4) emerged with this tournament championship win.
4. Colon 51, Mendon 47 – The Magi (20-2) finished an outright championship in the Southern Central Athletic Association West by edging the runner-up Hornets (19-3).
5. Belleville 54, Howell 46 – The Tigers (19-2) added to their perfect run through the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East with this win over West champion Howell (15-7) for the overall league title.
Districts at a Glance
These could be among our most competitive brackets. Host sites are in bold:
DIVISION 1
Rockford
No. 1 Rockford (21-1), No. 2 Cedar Springs (17-3), Muskegon (16-4), Muskegon Mona Shores (12-9), Muskegon Reeths-Puffer (9-11), Greenville (6-14).
Reigning Division 1 champion Rockford has followed up last year’s 28-1 season with similar flawlessness, its only loss to East Kentwood on Jan. 19 – and the Rams avenged it a month later on the way to winning the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red outright. O-K Green champ Muskegon certainly would provide a challenge if they were to meet again Wednesday – Rockford won their Dec. 15 game 70-39, but that was nearly three months ago. Cedar Springs on the other side of the bracket was the runner-up in the O-K Gold, with its only two losses over the last 15 games to league champion Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Mona Shores also is on Cedar Springs’ side of the bracket and can’t be overlooked.
Salem
No. 1 South Lyon East (17-5), No. 2 Salem (14-7), Canton (17-5), Plymouth (14-8), South Lyon (18-3), Northville (5-17).
This might be one of the most competitive Districts in any division, with host Salem coming off a run to the Division 1 Semifinals a year ago. The Rocks split with both Canton and Plymouth this season, with Canton finishing best of the three in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West, tying for second place. Two losses over their final three games dissolved Canton’s league title changes, but a Feb. 9 win over Salem sticks out among the team’s February work. Those two and Plymouth are on one side of the bracket, with Lakes Valley Conference co-champion South Lyon East and third-place South Lyon joined by Northville on the other side. East won both meetings with its rival, by 12 and then six points.
Saline
No. 1 Belleville (19-2), No. 2 Saline (18-4), Wayne Memorial (14-6), Ypsilanti Lincoln (11-11), Ypsilanti Community (12-9).
Every team in this District has a .500 record or better, and KLAA East champ Belleville is No. 4 overall in Division 1 MPR after the regular season with its losses to Mason (Ohio) and Division 2 contender Detroit Edison. The Tigers have been eliminated by Saline the last five seasons and would see the Hornets in the championship game Friday. But Saline must advance past Wayne, which owns a streak of six straight District titles and no doubt would look forward to a third matchup with Belleville after losing the first two by 11 and 28 points, respectively. Saline has won 11 of its last 12 games, its only defeat during that time from KLAA West champ Howell.
DIVISION 2
Ada Forest Hills Eastern
No. 1 Grand Rapids West Catholic (21-1), No. 2 Grand Rapids Catholic Central (16-6), Ada Forest Hills Eastern (1-21), Grand Rapids Christian (2-19), Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation Academy (5-16).
A West Catholic/Catholic Central rematch Friday is one of the most anticipated rematches of the week, as West Catholic won their regular-season meeting 60-54 on Dec. 29 at Cornerstone University. West Catholic’s only loss of the season game two days earlier, to Rockford, and the Falcons lost only once during the 2022-23 season as well – to eventual Division 2 champion Lansing Catholic in a Semifinal at Breslin Center. West Catholic also defeated GRCC 67-49 in last year’s District Final, but the Cougars should be riding high coming off a 45-41 win over Williamston (17-5) last week, the latest of a 14-2 run.
Fowlerville
No. 1 Chelsea (18-4), No. 2 Williamston (17-5), Haslett (15-7), Pinckney (10-11), Fowlerville (8-14).
Chelsea’s eight-game winning streak included avenging two of its defeats, against Dexter and Tecumseh, on the way to sharing the Southeastern Conference White championship with the latter. The Bulldogs have won three straight District championships, but also have the tougher side of the bracket with Haslett the Wednesday opponent if the Vikings get past Pinckney tonight. Haslett played a loaded schedule again this winter, which included a pair of league losses to Williamston – and three straight defeats in December by five points or fewer. The Hornets similarly loaded up the slate with contenders, and their only loss since falling to Chelsea 38-35 on Jan. 3 was to Grand Rapids Catholic Central.
Portland
No. 1 Lansing Catholic (17-5), No. 2 Portland (19-2), Lake Odessa Lakewood (11-11), Hastings (5-17), Charlotte (3-17).
This is also expected to end in another high-powered matchup, with the Capital Area Activities Conference White co-champs anchoring both sides of the bracket. The reigning Division 2 champion Cougars won the first matchup with Portland, 62-34 on Jan. 9, but the Raiders rebounded to win the rematch 51-44 on Feb. 13. That one was at Portland, and this one would be too – but Lansing Catholic is plenty battle-tested with its other defeats this season to Rockford, Frankenmuth (20-2), Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (22-0) and Detroit Renaissance (19-3). The Raiders lost their regular-season finale to Williamston, 45-39, but surely will be ready to bounce back for this week’s opportunity.
DIVISION 3
Gladstone (assigned host) or Harbor Springs, Manistique or Menominee (Non-traditional)
No. 1 Harbor Springs (20-2), No. 2 Bark River-Harris (20-2), Gladstone (14-8), Menominee (12-10), Manistique (7-13).
Because of the distance between these possible opponents, this is one of the non-traditional Districts in the tournament this season. Harbor Springs is the anticipated championship game host as it enters riding a 16-game winning streak that included avenging one of its two losses, to Elk Rapids, to share the Lake Michigan Conference title with the Elks. On the other side, Bark-River Harris is coming off a 54-51 loss to Ishpeming (21-1) last week, but that was the Broncos’ first defeat since Dec. 11 to Menominee. Bark River-Harris was stopped in its first District game a year ago by Gladstone, and they are set to meet Wednesday with Gladstone coming off a Great Northern Conference championship. Menominee was third in the GNC and has won eight of its last nine games – and Harbor Springs must be cautious if the Maroons get past Manistique tonight.
Ithaca
No. 1 Ovid-Elsie (19-2), No. 2 St. Charles (20-2), New Lothrop (15-7), Ithaca (7-15), Chesaning (7-14).
Ovid-Elsie, St. Charles and New Lothrop all finished among the top 20 statewide in Division 3 MPR, and New Lothrop even jumped ahead of St. Charles during the week after seeds were announced. Ovid-Elsie was first and New Lothrop second in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference – the Marauders winning their matchups 53-46 and 52-37 – and they would meet again Wednesday if New Lothrop gets past the host Yellowjackets tonight. St. Charles won a Mid-State Activities Conference that included five teams with 12 or more victories, and the Bulldogs’ only losses were to Hemlock in a regular-season opener and Division 2 Midland Bullock Creek. St. Charles has 11 and 18-point wins over Division 4 contender Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart (19-3).
Pinconning
No. 1 Hemlock (17-5), No. 2 Sanford Meridian (20-1), Saginaw Valley Lutheran (12-10), Beaverton (11-11), Saginaw Arts & Sciences Academy (8-12), Pinconning (3-18).
The reigning Division 3 champion Huskies have readied themselves for another run at the title. They are coming off two losses last week, but those were to Division 1 Saginaw Heritage (12-10) and Division 2 Freeland (19-3), and Hemlock’s other defeats were to Division 1 Midland Dow (19-3) and Division 2 Frankenmuth (20-2) and Goodrich (22-0). On the other side of the bracket, Meridian certainly has circled this week after losing to Hemlock 54-45 in last year’s District to finish 20-2. The Mustangs defeated Heritage by a bucket Feb. 17, and similar to Hemlock lost to Freeland this season by only six points. Beaverton and Valley Lutheran are potential challengers that must win tonight to meet the top seeds.
DIVISION 4
Auburn Hills Oakland Christian
No. 1 Clarkston Everest Collegiate (14-4), No. 2 Dryden (15-7), Genesee Christian (13-9), Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (10-6), Auburn Hills Oakland Christian (10-11).
Everest enters this week off a pair of notable wins, defeating Bloomfield Hills Roeper (18-2) last week after winning the Catholic High School League’s St. Anne Tournament against Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood (15-4) – which had defeated the Mountaineers twice in league play. Everest this week will start with either Our Lady or Genesee Christian – Everest defeated Genesee Christian 43-42 on Jan. 4. The Soldiers actually moved up to second in this District in MPR during the week after seeds were announced, with all of their losses to opponents that have won at least 13 games. Dryden lines up similarly after tying for second in the North Central Thumb League Stars – all of its losses came to teams that have won at least 12 games. the Cardinals have made a big jump from winning four games only two seasons ago.
Baraga (assigned host) or Felch North Dickinson, L’Anse or Ishpeming (Non-traditional)
No. 1 Ishpeming (21-1), No. 2 Baraga (18-4), L’Anse (10-12), Crystal Falls Forest Park (8-14), Felch North Dickinson (8-14).
This is another District with some distance between opponents – about half the Upper Peninsula – but that will be reduced to 59 miles Friday if seeds play out and Ishpeming travels to Baraga. The Hematites finished 5-10 only three seasons ago but have been building toward this with 12 and 16 wins the last two seasons and their only loss this winter to Division 2 Negaunee (21-1) – after Ishpeming had defeated the Miners a month earlier. Ishpeming also has a 70-43 win Feb. 13 over Baraga, the reigning Division 4 runner-up. But that’s the only blemish on the Vikings’ schedule over their last 13 games, a run that’s seen them avenge an earlier loss in handing Lake Linden-Hubbell (21-1) its only defeat.
Morenci
No. 1 Morenci (17-3), No. 2 Pittsford (17-5), Waldron (15-7), Jackson Christian (9-13), North Adams-Jerome (3-16).
The host Bulldogs are Tri-County Conference champions, and like Ishpeming (above) have been building up to this winning three games only three seasons ago. Morenci this winter swept Adrian Lenawee Christian and Petersburg Summerfield, the teams that eliminated the Bulldogs in the District the last two years. They may have to contend Wednesday with Waldron, which finished third in the Southern Central Athletic Association East won by Pittsford. Pittsford defeated the Spartans 34-26 on Thursday to finish that league title run, and in doing so avenged a defeat to Waldron from Feb. 13. The Wildcats will try to capitalize on that momentum as they seek their first District title since the Class D championship run of 2016.
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PHOTOS (Top) Bark River-Harris's Marissa Ives (1) drives to the basket while being defended by Ishpeming's Mya Hemmer (14) and Jenna Maki (1) during the Hematites 54-51 win last week. (Middle) Detroit Cass Tech's Ari Parker steps up to launch a 3-pointer during her team's Detroit Public School League final against Renaissance on Feb. 18. (Top photo by Cara Kamps; middle photo by Olivia B. Photography.)
Eagle Provides Decisive Lift as Ishpeming Lands 1st Finals Championship
By
Keith Dunlap
Special for MHSAA.com
March 23, 2024
EAST LANSING — This gave new definition to soaring to new heights on the wings of an eagle.
Through the first 15 minutes of Saturday’s Division 4 championship game against Kingston, Ishpeming sophomore and leading scorer Jenessa Eagle had just two points.
From that point on, nobody on the floor flew higher.
Eagle scored 25 points over the final two quarters plus a minute of the second, finishing with a game-high 27 points to help lead Ishpeming to its first Finals title with a 73-54 win over a Kingston team that also was playing in its first championship game.
“I was really getting into wanting to win,” Eagle said. “I was wanting to do it for my team. I wasn’t really thinking that much. I was just going out and doing what I practiced.”
Ishpeming became the first girls basketball team from the Upper Peninsula to win a Finals championship since Calumet and St. Ignace did so in 2015.
Despite what the final score said, Ishpeming had to navigate some first-half adversity.
Kingston used a 16-2 run late in the first quarter to take a 22-11 lead going into the second. A critical juncture came with 2:34 remaining in the second quarter, when Ishpeming senior Jenna Maki had to leave the game with her third foul.
Kingston held a 26-21 lead at that point, with Maki having scored 16 of the Hematites’ points. But Ishpeming rallied with Maki on the bench, outscoring Kingston 10-4 the rest of the quarter to take a 31-30 lead into halftime.
Eagle and senior Kaitlyn Van Deuren each sank 3-pointers to start the rally, and then Eagle and senior Payton Manninen both added 2-point baskets for the Hematites.
“We have a very trusted bench,” Ishpeming head coach Ryan Reichel said. “Our girls all come in knowing that they have a role where they can compete and do some big things for us. Even when Jenna was out, we knew we had girls who could still put the ball in the basket.”
Ishpeming continued that momentum during the third quarter, forcing six turnovers over the first 1:39 of the frame to build a 39-30 lead. Eagle then caught fire from the outside, draining a couple of deep 3-pointers to give Ishpeming a 47-34 lead with 3:35 to go in the period.
Ishpeming ultimately took a 58-46 lead into the fourth quarter, with Eagle scoring 15 of the team’s 27 points during the third. The Hematites kept up the pressure from there, going on a 10-0 run to take a 73-50 lead with 3:21 remaining and essentially start the celebration.
Maki, the school’s all-time leading scorer, finished a terrific career by adding 24 points to her total and pulling down eight rebounds. She and the rest of Ishpeming’s seniors fulfilled an ambition they have had since they started playing together in kindergarten.
The Hematites won just five games four seasons ago, but skyrocketed quickly and are now on top of the state.
“It really does feel great,” Maki said. “Just like this experience, it feels surreal right now. It’s amazing to see all the fans and all our community who made it down here. It’s a great feeling.”
Senior Abbey Walker had 14 points and 10 rebounds and sophomore Molly Walker scored 14 points for Kingston, which finished a historic season of its own at 27-2.
“This was a great day for Kingston girls basketball,“ Kingston head coach Jay Green said. “There was a huge crowd here supporting us, and we played an outstanding team. The girls gave it all they got. I told their coach after the game that they can make the final four in Division 1, 2, 3 or 4. That team is outstanding. Everybody knows that.”
PHOTOS (Top) Ishpeming players raise their championship trophy Saturday at Breslin Center. (Middle) The Hematites’ Jenessa Eagle gets up a shot with Kingston’s Keria McGarvie (24) and Molly Walker defending. (Below) Jenna Maki (1) launches a 3-point attempt. (Photos by Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)