Breslin Bound: Girls Report Week 9
January 30, 2017
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
Girls basketball teams across Michigan made it especially difficult last week to pull out only the brightest highlights for today's Breslin Bound report – powered by MI Student Aid.
With the start of Districts now just a month away, the shuffling has begun in full force with a number of teams making moves up their respective league standings and into view as possible MHSAA championship contenders.
Below you'll find notes on a number of teams on the move, with plenty more to come as the tournament draws near.
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Grand Rapids Catholic Central 42, Marshall 34 – GRCC improved to 12-1 by avenging last season’s Quarterfinal loss to the eventual Class B champion Redhawks, who have lost only twice this season.
2. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep 53, Ann Arbor Huron 33 – The Gators ran their winning streak to 23 going back to last season’s Class C title run, and also beat Huron for the first time in three years as they pursue the top spot in Class B this winter.
3. Freeland 58, Ithaca 35 – The Falcons' undefeated run enjoyed its most impressive week with a pair of Tri-Valley Conference crossover wins; in this one the Central leaders gave West first-place Ithaca its first defeat since opening night.
4. Rockford 69, East Kentwood 66 – The Rams improved to only .500 with this win, but showed the strength of the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red by edging the league-leading Falcons.
5. Sault Ste. Marie 49, St. Ignace 44 – The Blue Devils finished a sweep of their Straits Area Conference rival for the first time in more than a decade to take a comfortable lead in the league standings.
Watch List
With an eye toward March, here are two teams in each class making sparks:
CLASS A
Hartland (11-1) – The Eagles’ 15-5 finish last season included four losses to Howell, including in their lone District game. But Hartland’s only loss this season was to reigning Class A champion Detroit Martin Luther King. The Eagles also beat Howell by 20 two weeks ago to take a one-win lead in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West standings.
East Lansing (12-1) – After a one-point lost to DeWitt at the start of December, East Lansing has won 11 straight and 10 of those by double digits. The Trojans ended Muskegon’s five-game winning streak Saturday with a 52-34 win at the East Grand Rapids Showcase.
CLASS B
Marysville (10-4) – The Vikings have won seven of their last eight and handed Marine City its first loss of the season, 40-30 on Tuesday. Both now have only one loss in the Macomb Area Conference Gold, which Marysville won in going 21-3 overall last season.
Goodrich (9-4) – After falling back just a bit, relatively speaking, to 18-4 last winter, the Martians picked up four defeats in five games over the new year. But they haven’t lost in their last five and moved into first place alone in the Genesee Area Conference Red with a 54-36 win over Flint Hamady on Friday. A five-point loss to Hamady on Dec. 16 had started that brief slide.
CLASS C
Detroit Edison PSA (10-1) – The Pioneers have taken a giant step after a series of solid finishes. Wins over Chicago Whitney Young and Canton were among the most impressive early, but last week alone included victories over Detroit East English (64-44) and Dearborn Heights Robichaud (71-64) – bigger schools with a combined 17-7 record. The loss came over the weekend to Class A power King.
Watervliet (11-2) – The Panthers opened this season with two losses but haven’t looked back, and with a pair of wins last week surpassed their 10 victories of last winter. They lead reigning champion Gobles in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore thanks to a three-point win over the Tigers on Jan. 6.
CLASS D
Ewen-Trout Creek (8-2) – The Panthers finished 5-18 last season but showed a spark at the end by reaching the District Final. That momentum has carried over to an 8-2 start as they've pushed into first place in the Porcupine Mountain division of the Copper Mountain Conference.
Fruitport Calvary Christian (12-1) – The high-scoring Eagles are at it again with at least 70 points in five games this season including three of their last four. Calvary Christian also has avenged two of last season’s four losses with a 45-point win over Hart and five-pointer over fellow Alliance League contender Wyoming Tri-unity Christian.
Can't-Miss Contests
Be on the lookout for results of these games coming up:
Monday – Detroit East English (10-3) at Detroit Martin Luther King (12-1) – This is the last game before the start of the Detroit Public School League tournament, and East English can show how far it’s come since falling to the Crusaders by 21 on Jan. 12.
Tuesday – Williamston (12-1) at East Lansing (12-1) – Both of these Lansing-area teams have high postseason aspirations, and this one could indicate which might have the best shot in March.
Thursday – Detroit Edison PSA (10-1) at Detroit Country Day (11-0) – Edison, discussed above, is emerging as a Class C contender and can show how significantly against another of Class B's elite.
Friday – Canton (9-3) at Wayne Memorial (9-2) – Wayne holds a one-win lead in the KLAA South standings thanks to a three-point win in these teams’ first meeting three weeks ago; Canton won the league after the teams split last season.
Saturday – Kalkaska (9-0) at St. Ignace (10-2) – Two of the best from northern Michigan face off in an afternoon matchup; the Saints' only losses are those mentioned above to Sault Ste. Marie.
PHOTO: Freeland continued its undefeated run this season with a win over Ithaca in a Tri-Valley Conference crossover of league leaders. (Click for more from HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Breslin Bound: 2024-25 Girls Quarterfinal Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 18, 2025
We always try to celebrate the rare or unique when it comes to MHSAA Tournament success, and we welcome two first-time Regional champions and a few more first-time-in-a-long-time contenders who have advanced to tonight’s Girls Basketball Quarterfinals.
But you’re right on if this field also looks a little familiar.
Of 32 teams competing to reach Breslin Center this time, 16 also played in Quarterfinals in 2024. Of those 16, 10 advanced to last year’s Semifinals – so there is plenty of championship week experience to go around as we look at tonight’s matchups below.
“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, spg - steals per game, and bpg - blocks per game.)
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Tecumseh 50, Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 39 In this Regional Final, Tecumseh (24-1) avenged last season’s five-point Quarterfinal loss to FGR (24-2), which went on to finish Division 2 runner-up.
2. Grandville Calvin Christian 39, Pewamo-Westphalia 36 Calvin (20-6) clinched a Division 3 Regional championship by handing the Pirates (25-1) their lone loss of the winter.
3. Goodrich 58, Haslett 56 The Martians (23-3) claimed a Division 2 Regional title with their closest win of the season; the Vikings finished 22-4.
4. Fowler 57, Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart 36 The Eagles advanced to this week in Division 4 by dealing Sacred Heart (21-1) its only defeat.
5. Genesee Christian 45, Kingston 40 The Soldiers (23-2) moved on to championship week by edging a Kingston team that ended 21-3 coming off last year’s Division 4 runner-up finish.
Quarterfinals at a Glance
DIVISION 1
DeWitt (25-1) vs. Belleville (25-1) at Holt
Belleville is seeking a second-straight trip to the Semifinals and is led again by sophomore guard Sydney Savoury (26.1 ppg, 3.0 apg, 4.2 spg) and junior guard Se’Crette Carter (19.3 ppg). But the Panthers can counter with a pair of 1,000-point career scorers in senior guards Tara Kurncz (13.4 ppg) and Madi Uyl (12.2 ppg, 2.4 apg), the former having become the program’s all-time leading scorer last month. Both teams avenged their lone defeats.
West Bloomfield (18-8) vs. Utica Ford at University of Detroit Mercy, 7:30 p.m.
The reigning Division 1 champion Lakers graduated four starters from last season’s team, but the new crew has won 15 of its last 18 games led by that lone returning starter, junior guard Sheridan Beal (16 ppg, 54 3-pointers). Ford has taken a strong step this season, winning its first Regional title since 1984. Senior guard Anayya Davis leads with 21.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and just over a block per game.
Wayne Memorial (20-6) vs. Temperance Bedford (24-2) at University of Detroit Mercy, 5:30 p.m.
Wayne is the lone team to defeat Belleville this season, splitting with the Tigers to share the Kensington Lakes Activities Association East title. Junior Mariah Cross (19.4 ppg) and senior Colleena Bryant (17.2 ppg) make up a high-scoring backcourt, and Bryant was a Miss Basketball Award finalist. Bedford is returning to the Quarterfinals for the second-straight season and with plenty of power in the post. Senior forward Victoria Gray sets the pace at 20.6 points, 15 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.
Rockford (25-1) vs. Grand Haven (22-3) at Muskegon Mona Shores
Senior forward Anna Wypych (21.8 ppg, 85 3-pointers) was named Miss Basketball on Monday, and tonight she’ll attempt to lead the Rams to back to Breslin with a third win over Grand Haven this season after Rockford won the first two meetings by 12 and 11 points. The Buccaneers are making their first Quarterfinal appearance since winning the Class A championship in 2013, and their only other defeat this winter was to Hudsonville.
DIVISION 2
Gladstone (24-2) vs. Frankenmuth (22-4) at Cheboygan
Gladstone is making its first Quarterfinal appearance since 2012 having avenged its only losses with a District Final win over Negaunee. Junior guard Lillie Johnson has made her name known statewide, averaging 22.4 points, 12.1 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game. Frankenmuth has reached at least the Quarterfinals three of senior Clare Conzelmann’s four seasons and avenged its two losses to Division 2 opponents this winter in winning last week’s Regional.
Goodrich (23-3) vs. Tecumseh (24-1) at Northville
All three of Goodrich’s losses came to opponents that reached at least Regional Finals, and the Martians follow a pair of playmakers in junior guard Kayla Hairston (12 ppg, 3.6 apg) and sophomore guard Baylor Lauinger (11.3, 4.4). Tecumseh’s only defeat came to Rockford two months ago on the way to reaching the Quarterfinals for the second-straight season. Senior 6-foot-2 forward Alli Zajac (14.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg) and sister 6-0 sophomore center Addi Zajac (13.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 1.1 bpg) combine to give their team a powerful post presence, and Alli was a Miss Basketball finalist.
Grand Rapids West Catholic (22-3) vs. Grand Rapids South Christin (24-2) at Hudsonville Unity Christian
These Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold co-champions split their regular season meetings, West Catholic winning the first by 13 points and South Christian taking the rematch by seven. West Catholic was the Division 2 runner-up in 2022 and reached the Semifinals the last two seasons, and senior guard Elisha Dykstra (10.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.2 apg) has started all four years. South Christian will attempt to reach Finals weekend for the first time since 2016 led by junior guard Sophia Prins (14.3 ppg, 4.1 apg, 3.2 spg).
Detroit Edison (18-6) vs. Detroit Country Day (20-5) at St. Clair County Community College
Edison is playing for a second-straight Division 2 title and third over the last four seasons, and with three of its losses this winter to teams still playing. Senior Isis Johnson-Musah (17.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.7 spg) was another Miss Basketball Award finalist and the team’s leading scorer in last year’s championship win. Country Day is seeking to return to the Semifinals for the second time in four seasons and keyed in part by high-scoring guards junior Jayla Jackson (19.6 ppg) and sophomore Cece Arico (16.5).
DIVISION 3
Calumet (21-5) vs. Sanford Meridian (23-3) at Manistique
The Copper Kings have jumped from 11-12 a year ago to reach the Quarterfinals for the second time in five seasons, and downed reigning Division 4 champion Ishpeming in the District Final. Guard Jackie Kiilunun is the lone senior starter and lead scorer at 14 ppg. After falling a win shy last season, Meridian won its first Regional title last week and also follows a talented senior guard in Halen McLaughlin (28 ppg, 77 3-pointers, 8.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 4.5 spg).
Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest (19-6) vs. Sandusky (24-2) at West Bloomfield, 6 p.m.
Northwest won this same matchup last season 38-16 to reach the Semifinals and has four starters back from that team, with junior forward Addie Troska moving up from super sub last winter and becoming the fifth starter and leading scorer (10.2 ppg). Sandusky has won three straight Regional titles and is seeking to return to the Semifinals for the first time since 1999. Sophomore guard Caroline Reinke fills the stat sheet at 10 points, 7.2 rebounds, four assists and 5.8 steals per game.
Jackson Lumen Christi (19-6) vs. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (14-12) at Dansville
Lumen Christi has reached its first Quarterfinal since 1988 by defeating three straight opponents that finished with at least 18 wins this season. Center Kathleen Doane is the lone senior. Reigning Division 3 champ Arbor Prep has navigated injury and inexperience to stack up seven straight wins. Senior guard Eliza Bush is the lone returning starter from last year’s team, although junior guard Angela Meggisson was a top sub and starts now.
Grandville Calvin Christian (20-6) vs. Niles Brandywine (26-0) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
After heading into the postseason with two straight losses, Calvin has won three straight games by three points or fewer including handing Pewamo-Westphalia its only loss, in the Regional Final. Junior forward Addyson Rhodes (13.6 ppg) and junior guard Leila Nelson (13.3) set the scoring pace. Next up is reigning Division 3 runner-up Brandywine, which is a combined 52-2 over the last two seasons and has six players scoring at least five points per game led by senior Adeline Gill (12.5 ppg).
DIVISION 4
Ewen-Trout Creek (25-1) vs. St. Ignace (25-1) at Gladstone
A loss to Division 2 Negaunee is all that’s kept Ewen-Trout Creek from a perfect season, and this will be the Panthers’ first Quarterfinal since 2005. Freshman guard Bree Besonen (16.9 ppg, 4.5 apg) and junior center Irelyn McGeshick (16.5 ppg, 10.2 rpg) lead a team with no seniors and only three juniors among eight players total. St. Ignace’s lone defeat came to Division 2 Sault Ste. Marie, and the Saints are pursuing their first Semifinal trip since 2019 with guard Jillian Fraser (17 ppg, 6.2 apg) and center Addison Cullen (16.8 ppg, 11.2 rpg) two of only three seniors of their roster.
Byron Center Zion Christian (20-6) vs. Concord (21-4) at Battle Creek Harper Creek
Zion has won 16 of its last 18 games to emerge from third in the Alliance League and claim its first Regional title. Junior forward Audra Kaptein (13 ppg) and junior guard Jayda Steenbergen (12.2 ppg, 5.9 apg, 4.4 spg) lead a lineup with only one senior starter. Concord has won 10 of its last 11 games to reach the Quarterfinals for the second time and first since 2012. Senior Grace Thorrez, at 6-2, is strong in the post with 14.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, and sophomore guard Bradie Lehman (13.7 ppg, 4.2 apg, 4.5 spg) provides balance in the backcourt.
Frankfort (18-6) vs. Fowler (24-2) at Cadillac
Frankfort is seeking to reach the Semifinals for the second-straight season and after an 0-3 start and two losses over its final three games heading into the playoffs. They’ve bounced back again, with lone senior Savina Anhalt (12.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg) combining with junior Addie Jarosz (13.5 ppg, 9.5 rpg) to form a solid frontcourt duo. Fowler has reached five straight Semifinals (not counting 2020, when the season ended prior to that round), and three starters are back from last year’s run led by senior guard Katie Spicer (12.5 ppg, 4.5 apg).
Morenci (24-1) vs. Genesee Christian (23-2) at Brighton
A one-point overtime loss is all that’s kept Morenci from a perfect run as the Bulldogs return to the Quarterfinals seeking their first Semifinal trip since 2011. Junior guard Emersyn Bachelder (15.6 ppg) is again the leading scorer, upping her average more than five points from a year ago. Genesee Christian has emerged from 14-10 last winter to reach the Quarterfinals for the second time in four seasons, this time with lone senior starter Haven Chapman (20.7 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.8 apg, 4.2 spg, 1.3 bpg) setting the pace.
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PHOTOS (Top) Ewen-Trout Creek coach Jacky Besonen presents the Division 4 Regional trophy to her team after last week's win over Norway. (Middle) Fowler's Paige Thelen (10) drives to the basket during her team's Regional clincher over Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart. (E-TC photo by Cara Kamps. Fowler/Sacred Heart photo by Kolleth Photo.)