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.)

D2 Preview: Past Powers, New Hopefuls Bring Stories to Breslin

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

March 16, 2022

This weekend’s Division 2 Finals bracket might have the most pre-packaged storylines of any of the four divisions that will celebrate girls champions this weekend at Breslin Center.

Detroit Edison returns after the last two seasons were cut short, seeking to add a fourth title in six years with another Miss Basketball leading the way. Detroit Country Day owns the most Finals championships in girls basketball history and is seeking its first since 2018.

Grand Rapids West Catholic hopes to follow the Miss Basketball runner-up to its first championship in more than three decades. And Ludington, making its first appearance at Finals weekend, is looking to add more firsts to a historic run.  

DIVISON 2 Semifinals – Friday
Grand Rapids West Catholic (24-1) vs. Detroit Country Day (14-7), 5:30 p.m.
Detroit Edison (17-3) vs. Ludington (20-5), 7:30 p.m.
FINAL – Saturday – 6:15 p.m.

Tickets for this weekend’s games are $12 for both Semifinals and Finals and are available via the Breslin Center ticket office. All Semifinals will be broadcast and viewable with subscription to MHSAA.tv, and all four Finals will air live Saturday on Bally Sports Detroit’s primary channel as well as on the BSD website and app. Audio broadcasts of all Semifinals and Finals will be available free of charge from the MHSAA Network.

Here’s a look at the four Division 2 semifinals (with rankings by MPR and statistics through Regional Finals):

DETROIT COUNTRY DAY
Record/rank: 13-7, No. 28
League finish: Does not play in a league.
Coach: Jerica Williams, second season (28-10)
Championship history: Thirteen MHSAA titles (most recent 2018), four runner-up finishes.
Best wins: 59-55 over Marysville in Quarterfinal, 54-39 over St. Clair Shores Lakeview, 47-45 over Division 4 No. 11 Allen Park Inter-City Baptist.
Players to watch: Jaidyn Elam, soph F (13.6 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.2 spg); Emma Arico, soph. G (8.9 ppg, 3.4 apg); Ari’Yana Wiggins, fr. F (9.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg).
Outlook: Four starters are back from the team that made last season’s Semifinals, with Elam and Arico joined by junior guard Aysia Yokely (8.6 ppg) and sophomore forward Peja Liles (4.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg). The Yellowjackets have all of that experience and still no seniors, with Elam also having made the all-state second team last season and Arico earning an honorable mention. Country Day saw its share of tough opponents, with six of its seven losses coming against teams that ended up with 14 or more wins.

DETROIT EDISON
Record/rank: 17-3, No. 1
League finish: Does not play in a league.
Coach: Monique Brown, 10th season (177-40)
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2019).
Best wins: 53-35 over No. 3 Portland in Quarterfinal, 85-43 over No. 2 Redford Westfield Prep, 67-44 over Division 1 No. 3 Farmington Hills Mercy, 60-32 over Division 1 No. 13 Bloomfield Hills Marian, 60-47 over Division 1 No. 11 Parma Western, 68-30 over Division 1 No. 14 East Lansing, 67-48 over Division 1 No. 1 Hudsonville, 60-52 over Division 3 No. 1 Ypsilanti Arbor Prep.
Players to watch: Ruby Whitehorn, 6-0 sr. G (23.9 ppg, 12.1 rpg, 3.9 apg, 4.5 spg, 2.1 bpg); NaKiya Bonner, 5-6 soph. G (8.2 ppg, 5.5 apg); Madisen Wardell, 6-1 sr. F (13.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg).  
Outlook: After last season’s undefeated team was sidelined during Districts by COVID-19, Edison is back looking to add to its three straight Finals championships won from 2017-19. Whitehorn, who has signed with Clemson, gave her program its fourth-straight Miss Basketball Award winner earlier this week, and Wardell will continue her career at DePaul. Edison’s only losses were to Division 1 semifinalist West Bloomfield, Indiana state champion South Bend Washington and Illinois power Joliet West. All but one of the Pioneers’ in-state opponents finished with a winning record this winter.

GRAND RAPIDS WEST CATHOLIC
Record/rank: 24-1, No. 8
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Blue
Coach: Jill VanderEnde, eighth season (119-69)
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 1990), one runner-up finish.
Best wins: 82-27 over No. 6 Edwardsburg in Quarterfinal, 55-29 over No. 20 Newaygo in Regional Final, 55-43 over Grand Rapids Christian in Regional Semifinal, 64-29 over Grand Rapids Catholic Central in District Final, 63-23 over No. 13 Sparta.
Players to watch: Abbey Kimball, 5-10 sr. G (25.1 ppg, 97 3-pointers, 3.0 apg, 4.4 spg); Cadence Dykstra, 5-9 jr. G (8.2 ppg, 4.5 apg); Elisha Dykstra, 5-10 fr. F (8.3 ppg).  
Outlook: West Catholic is returning to the Semifinals for the first time since 1995, when it finished Class B runner-up. Kimball was the Miss Basketball runner-up and added three more 3-pointers Tuesday – the Michigan State signee’s 100 are tied for second-most in a single season in MHSAA history and five off the record. Freshman guard Anna Ignatoski adds 7.8 points off the bench and was the team’s leading scorer in the Quarterfinal win over the Eddies. The team’s only loss was Dec. 23 to Division 1 semifinalist Rockford.

LUDINGTON
Record/rank: 20-5, No. 45
League finish: Tied for first in the Lakes 8 Activities Conference.
Coach: Warren Stowe, second season (34-10)
Championship history: Has never played in an MHSAA Final.
Best wins: 30-27 over No. 5 Frankenmuth in Quarterfinal, 34-31 over Negaunee in Regional Final, 54-36 over Standish-Sterling in Regional Semifinal, 38-33 over Muskegon Western Michigan Christian.
Players to watch: Keelyn Laird, 6-3 jr. F (10.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.2 apg); RyAnn Rohrer, 5-10 sr. F (10.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.3 spg); Abi Bandstra, 5-9 sr. G (4.5 ppg, 2.8 spg).
Outlook: Ludington will be playing in its first Semifinal since 2004 and has won 17 of its last 18 games. The Orioles avenged an early defeat to league rival WMC and also got good early prep in losses to eventual Division 1 semifinalists Hartland and West Bloomfield, and Muskegon Reeths-Puffer. Only one opponent has put up more than 40 points during the 18-game run – Cadillac, which scored 47 in handing Ludington the lone loss over that stretch. Junior forward Olivia Lynn adds 7.5 points off the bench.

PHOTO Detroit Country Day’s Jaidyn Elam brings the ball upcourt during last week’s Regional Semifinal win over Livonia Clarenceville. (Photo by Douglas Bargerstock.)