Countdown to Calvin: Girls Quarterfinal Preview

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

March 19, 2019

The clock is ticking as the Countdown to Calvin will be over by the time this evening is done.

All 16 Girls Basketball Quarterfinals will played at sites all over the state tonight, with winners advancing to Van Noord Arena and Semifinals beginning Thursday in Divisions 3 and 4.

Our final “Countdown to Calvin” report of 2018-19 – powered by MI Student Aid – takes a glance at all 16 Quarterfinals, which tip off at 7 p.m. unless noted. All Quarterfinals will be broadcast and viewable with subscription on MHSAA.tv. Come back Wednesday night for a more in-depth look at our 16 finalists as they head into this weekend.

DIVISION 1

Saginaw Heritage (22-2) vs. Hartland (22-3) at Grand Blanc

Reigning Class A champion Heritage avenged a league title-deciding loss to Midland Dow with a 15-point win in the Regional Final, and a heralded group of seniors – Miss Basketball Award runner-up Moira Joiner (18.8 points per game), Shine Strickland-Gills (12.8) and Mallory McCartney (10.5) – are leading the repeat charge. Hartland is the power on the rise – the Eagles don’t have a senior starter. Junior Whitney Sollom (10.9 ppg, 8.6 rebounds per game) leads a balanced attack. Heritage won their Dec. 11 meeting 55-35.

Temperance Bedford (20-5) vs. Wayne Memorial (23-2) at West Bloomfield, 5 p.m.

There may not be a more balanced team left in the playoffs than Bedford, as no player averages more than 7.8 ppg and the two leading scorers don’t even start. The team’s only in-state losses this season came by two to 19-win Ann Arbor Pioneer – avenged by a six-point victory – and by one to 15-win Saline, avenged by 10 points in the rematch. Wayne is back after making the Semifinals a year ago, and its only losses this season were both to Division 2 favorite Detroit Edison. Senior guard Jeanae Terry, a University of Illinois recruit, leads an experienced group looking to take the final steps.

Southfield Arts & Technology (22-1) vs. St. Clair Shores Lakeview (19-5) at West Bloomfield

Only an early two-point loss to Heritage has kept Southfield A&T from a perfect run so far. The Warriors, semifinalists two years ago, boast a dangerous 1-2 punch of senior Alexis Johnson (19.2 ppg) and junior Cheyenne McEvans (17.1 ppg). Lakeview can win 20 games for the third straight season and is coming off its first Regional championship in this sport. The Huskies avenged one of their defeats in downing Fraser in the District Final.

Muskegon (20-4) vs. DeWitt (23-2) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix

The Big Reds are repeat Regional champions and looking to take the next step as Miss Basketball finalist Alyza Winston (24.5 ppg) finishes her high school career. Muskegon has won 16 straight on the court and avenged its opening-night loss to East Kentwood in the Regional Semifinal. DeWitt has won at least 21 games the last three seasons and four of the last five, breaking through for its first Regional title since finishing Class A runner-up in 2015. Senior Annie McIntosh (14.8 ppg) has helped set pace for the Panthers, who have two losses by a combined eight points to rivals East Lansing and St. Johns – and avenged both. 

DIVISION 2

Cadillac (21-3) vs. Freeland (22-2) at Mount Pleasant

Freeland is coming off its third straight Regional title to set up this rematch of a 2017 Quarterfinal won by the Falcons. Junior Kadyn Blanchard (14.9 ppg) leads three players scoring in double figures for a team that has won 18 straight and lost only to Division 1 Heritage and Dow. Cadillac won the Big North Conference title by a wide margin on the way to its second Regional title. Sophomore guard Molly Anderson (16 ppg) also leads three scoring in double digits.

Grand Rapids South Christian (15-9) vs. Hamilton (24-0) at Hope College

Somewhat quietly, Hamilton is a combined 71-6 over the last three seasons with two straight Regional titles. The Hawkeyes will try to follow last year’s first-ever Quarterfinal berth with a first trip to the Semifinals, and beat South Christian 62-42 in their season opener. Sophomore 6-foot-2 center AJ Ediger leads at 20.2 ppg. The Sailors have rebounded from a 2-5 start and upset Muskegon Oakridge in the Regional Final. Senior guard Sydney Cleary (12.3 ppg) leads a balanced lineup.

Haslett (18-6) vs. Chelsea (24-1) at Fowlerville

Chelsea has reached the Quarterfinals for the first time, its only loss by two to Division 1 Ann Arbor Pioneer in the regular-season finale. Haslett has won 13 of its last 15 and avenged two losses to Williamston and one to Jackson Northwest by eliminating both during the postseason. Both teams have one player scoring in double digits – for Chelsea, senior guard Abigale Fullerton leads at 11.6 ppg, while senior guard Ella McKinney paces Haslett at 13.7 ppg.

Detroit Edison (24-1) vs. Goodrich (14-10) at St. Clair County Community College

Edison is the reigning Class C champion and features newly-honored Miss Basketball winner Rickea Jackson (22.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg). Junior Gabrielle Elliott (17.4 ppg) and sophomore Damiya Hagemann (14 ppg, 8.1 apg) would star for most other teams in the state. Edison’s only loss came to Ohio power Columbus Africentric, by five. Goodrich won its sixth Regional title this decade after entering the postseason .500. Junior guard Maddie Voelker (24.2 ppg) leads a rising team with no seniors. 

DIVISION 3

Ishpeming Westwood (24-1) vs. Lake City (21-2) at Gaylord

Westwood is making its first Quarterfinal appearance since 2008; Lake City is making its first since 1976. The Patriots’ only loss came to rival Negaunee and has been avenged twice. Junior guards Madelyn Koski (15.8 ppg) and Tessa Leece (15.2) make up a strong backcourt. After finishing second to Manton in the Highland Conference, Lake City hasn’t had a playoff game closer than 14 points. Junior forward Rylie Bisballe (16.8 ppg) leads three averaging double-digit scoring.

Royal Oak Shrine (20-5) vs. Flint Hamady (19-5) at Lapeer, 6 p.m.

Hamady is back for its seventh Quarterfinal this decade after missing the final week last season. All of the Hawks’ losses were to Division 1 and 2 teams, including one to Goodrich (noted above), and they handed Hemlock its only loss this season in winning the Regional Final. Shrine is making its first Quarterfinal appearance since 1995 after winning league regular-season and tournament titles and beating two league champs in last week’s Regional. Senior guard Grace Murray leads at 15 ppg.

Adrian Madison (23-1) vs. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (18-6) at Tecumseh

Madison is riding high from its first Regional championship, with only a four-point loss to 15-win Manchester keeping it from perfection so far this winter. Center Laura Teunion-Smith (13 ppg, 12 rpg) is one of four senior starters who have contributed to this historic run. Arbor Prep has made six straight Quarterfinals and is seeking to make its fifth straight Semifinal. Freshman Mya Petticord has stepped in big this winter at 19.3 ppg and 3.3 assists per game.

Pewamo-Westphalia (24-1) vs. Niles Brandywine (23-2) at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg

The Pirates, the 2017 Class C runners-up and 2018 semifinalists, also have lost only to Edison this season as they seek their first championship. Junior forward Hannah Spitzley and junior guard Ellie Droste are the leading scorers, both at 13.9 ppg. Brandywine won its seventh Regional title this decade and first since 2016, with losses only to Division 2 Comstock. Junior guard Zakiyyah Abdullah leads at 14.1 ppg. 

DIVISION 4

Baraga (21-3) vs. St. Ignace (25-0) at Escanaba

St. Ignace has made the Quarterfinals every season this decade and is seeking to return to the Semifinals for the first time since 2015. Senior 6-foot forward Emily Coveyou scores 22.9 points and grabs 10.2 rebounds per game for a team that has won all five of its postseason matchups by at least 42 points. Baraga steps in coming off its first Regional title since 1993 and with a win over 2018 Class D runner-up Chassell along the way. Five of the team’s seven players are underclassmen, with sophomore Rylie Koskinen (11.2 ppg) and senior Martina Jahfetson (11 ppg) leading the way.

Clarkston Everest Collegiate (14-9) vs. Kingston (23-2) at Burton Bendle, 6 p.m.

Kingston is playing in its fourth Quarterfinal in five seasons and again seeking to make the Semifinals for the first time. Senior Lily Lyons (11.2 ppg) is the lead scorer for a team that has fallen only to Division 1 Utica Eisenhower and Oxford. Everest Collegiate also is seeking its first Semifinal berth and has made it this far once before, in 2014. The Mountaineers are paced by 6-0 senior center Katelyn Allen (15 ppg, 11.1 rpg).

Gaylord St. Mary (22-2) vs. Fowler (16-7) at Clare

After winning its fifth Regional title this decade, St. Mary is looking to reach the Semifinals for the first time since 2002. The Snowbirds’ only losses were to Division 2 Escanaba and Division 3 Traverse City St. Francis. Senior guard Livee Jeffers leads at 14.4 ppg. Fowler is in its first Quarterfinal and seeking its first Semifinal both since finishing Class D runner-up in 1999. The Eagles, playing in the same league as Pewamo-Westphalia among a group of strong teams from larger schools, are paced by freshman guard Mia Riley (11.7 ppg) and sophomore guard Sarah Veale (11.3).

Fruitport Calvary Christian (20-5) vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian (23-2) at Richland Gull Lake

Calvary Christian has built on seven straight league and six straight District titles with its first Regional championship. Junior 6-0 guard Kelsey Richards leads three in double figures averaging 20.5 ppg. Calvary now must face reigning Class D champion Lenawee Christian, led again by 6-2 sophomore forward Bree Salenbien (23.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg) and junior guard Dani Salenbien (13.6 ppg).  

Second Half’s weekly “Countdown to Calvin” reports are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.

PHOTO: Kingston's Hannah James goes to the basket against Akron-Fairgrove in a Division 4 District Semifinal win. (Click for more from Varsity Monthly.)

Breslin Bound: 2022-23 Girls Report Post-Break

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

January 9, 2023

School’s back in session, snow has mostly stayed away as of late, and basketball barely took a breather during another holiday break that saw several of the state’s best girls teams test themselves in preparation for the grind to come over the next two months.

MI Student Aid

Our post-break report below highlights some of the most intriguing action over the last three weeks – including a new record holder for career coaching wins – and previews games to keep an eye on this week as we get rolling into calendar year 2023.

“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. Chelsea 59, Ypsilanti Arbor Prep 50 (OT) Just as most schools were getting out or preparing to do so Dec. 21, Chelsea (8-1) handed Arbor Prep (5-2) its first in-state loss since Feb. 18.

2. Sandusky 42, Unionville-Sebewaing 28 Sandusky improved to 8-2 as coach Al DeMott became the all-time winningest in MHSAA girls basketball history with 798 victories.

3. West Bloomfield 86, Chicago Kenwood Academy (Ill.) The Lakers (7-2) held on in overtime at the Motor City Roundball Classic against a top team from Illinois.

4. Northville 42, Traverse City Central 22 The Mustangs (8-1) highlighted their holiday showcase by handing the Trojans (7-1) their only loss this season.

5. Lowell 54, Redford Westfield Prep 50 The Red Arrows are 8-0 with a pair of four-point wins mixed in, including this one on Westfield Prep’s home court during the Motor City.

Watch List

With an eye toward March, here are two teams in each division making sparks:

DIVISION 1

Detroit Renaissance (7-0) The Phoenix already have piled up notable wins under first-year coach Dashaun Wood, including 41-39 over Wayne Memorial early and more recently 66-54 over Detroit Country Day and 67-46 over East Kentwood. The Phoenix’s remaining schedule includes more intriguing nonleague matchups against Grand Blanc, Muskegon and East Grand Rapids plus a league meeting with Detroit Cass Tech.

Rockford (7-1) After reaching the Division 1 Semifinals and falling by just three points to eventual champion West Bloomfield last season, Rockford is off and running with its only loss to reigning Division 2 runner-up Grand Rapids West Catholic. The Rams opened this winter by handing Ada Forest Hills Eastern what remains its lone loss, and Rockford also has solid victories over Holland Christian, Byron Center and Detroit Country Day.

DIVISION 2

Frankenmuth (6-1) Only an opening-night loss to Lake Fenton (see below) has kept the Eagles from a perfect start, and wins over Grand Blanc and Imlay City have highlighted the ensuing run. Frankenmuth also kicked off Tri-Valley Conference 8 play Friday with a key 42-39 victory over Saginaw Swan Valley, which tied with Freeland for second behind the Eagles last season. The first Freeland matchup is this Friday.

Lake Fenton (8-0) Beginning with the 46-36 season-opening win over Frankenmuth, Lake Fenton has rolled to eight double-digit victories including also handing the only loss so far to Grosse Pointe North, 51-33 – and after GPN was one of just four teams to defeat Lake Fenton a year ago. Wins over Detroit Public School League contenders Mumford and Cass Tech also are impressive, and the Blue Devils can make another massive statement tonight hosting Arbor Prep.

DIVISION 3

Evart (8-1) The Wildcats also are undefeated since a season-opening loss, to Sanford Meridian, with the best wins 61-44 over McBain and 42-40 over Lake City after losing to them a combined five times last season including to McBain in their District Final. Evart is pacing the Highland Conference after finishing fourth a year ago, with its first matchup Wednesday against McBain Northern Michigan Christian – the only other team to defeat the Wildcats in 2021-22.

Sanford Meridian (8-1) The Mustangs are early co-leaders in the Jack Pine Conference, with a first matchup against the other first-place team Farwell coming up Friday. The early work has been exceptional; following the 60-52 win over Evart, Meridian took all of their next five games by at least 39 points and earned a rare win over Freeland 46-40. The only loss was 40-38 in overtime to Marysville at the SC4 Holiday Showcase.

DIVISION 4

Baraga (7-1) After reaching the Division 4 Semifinals last season, Baraga has been flawless aside from Friday’s 66-52 loss to highly-regarded Division 2 Houghton. The Vikings escaped their season opener against Ontonagon 42-38, but hadn’t won by fewer than 21 points since until that first defeat. That 21-point win was over Lake Linden-Hubbell, another Copper Mountain Conference team otherwise making some early noise in Division 4. Baraga hosts one-loss Calumet on Tuesday.

Mackinaw City (8-0) It’s even better than business as usual for the Comets, who are coming off an 18-4 season and already this winter have avenged two of those losses in downing Indian River Inland Lakes by 19 and Pickford by 32. The Inland Lakes win clinched Mackinaw City’s Christmas Tournament title, and the Comets also won an impressive early showdown with Cedarville and finished last week by handing the second defeat this winter to Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian.

Can’t-Miss Contests

Be on the lookout for results of these games coming up: 

Monday – Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (5-2) at Lake Fenton (8-0) – Arbor Prep is No. 1 in Division 3 Michigan Power Rating (MPR) among teams with at least six games played, while Lake Fenton is No. 3 in Division 2.

Tuesday – Hudsonville (6-2) at Holland West Ottawa (9-0) – West Ottawa won its first 10 games last season before ending 15-8 after rolling through the tough Ottawa-Kent Conference Red. Reigning league champion Hudsonville may give the Panthers their best test yet.

Tuesday – Jackson Northwest (7-1) at Coldwater (8-0) – Coming off a 34-29 win over reigning Interstate 8 Athletic Conference champion Parma Western, Coldwater takes on another annual contender while enjoying its most impressive run since 2018-19.

Thursday – Maple City Glen Lake (5-0) at Traverse City Central (7-1) – This could be a major statement win for either, as Glen Lake made the Division 3 Semifinals last season and Central lost 49-28 in their regular-season matchup.

Friday – Hancock (8-0) at Escanaba (8-0) – The Eskymos have tough Great Northern Conference matchups Tuesday and Thursday but then end the week with a meeting of undefeated opponents. Escanaba defeated the Bulldogs 58-53 last season.

MHSAA.com's weekly “Breslin Bound” previews and reviews are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. 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 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as 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.

PHOTO Marquette's Cora Anderson (32) is surrounded by Charlevoix's Abby Wright (5), Bayani Collins (21) and Karlee Easton (13) as she heads to the basket during Marquette’s 42-28 win Dec. 29. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)