DIVISION 1
Teams to watch statewide: Southgate Anderson, Grandville, Macomb Dakota, Lake Orion, East Kentwood
Top local team: Rockford
Preview: Southgate Anderson has won three state titles and is hoping for No. 4 this winter. Coach Stacey Shaw likes her team’s chances, especially with a strong group of seniors.
Grandville coach Julie Smith-Boyd likes her team’s chances. “It is a very close-knit group, they have great team chemistry, and they are the hardest working team I’ve had in a long time,” she said.
State finals prediction: Grandville narrowly lost the title last year but will win it this season.
DIVISION 2
Teams to watch statewide: Gilbraltar Carlson, Divine Child Catholic, Allen Park, St. Joseph
Top local teams: DeWitt, Lowell
Preview: Lowell will have a new coach and a promising team. Coach Diane Jaeger said, “I have a young but extremely talented team with good work ethics. My goal is to push these young ladies to their fullest potential. The sky’s the limit.”
Divine Child Catholic has been state runner-up since 2011 and has five four-year varsity seniors. “We have some outstanding athletes this year,” coach Amber Genevich said.
Allen Park finished third in the state last year and has a solid program, with four teams and more than 100 girls.
State finals prediction: Divine Child Catholic will win the title.
DIVISION 3
Teams to watch statewide: Richmond, Notre Dame Preparatory, Comstock Park, Grosse Ile, Paw Paw
Top local teams: Tri County, Freeland
Preview: Ovid-Elsie coach Katie Calverley likes her team’s chances of making the state finals, despite having a smaller team. Team leaders are Lizzy Bisson, Andi Klier, Courtney Loynes, Brenna Deming, Leah Batora, and Makenna Vincent.
Notre Dame Preparatory is defending champion, and coach Beth Campbell expects to have the talent to compete again.
State finals prediction: Richmond will hoist the state title trophy.
DIVISION 4
Teams to watch statewide: Michigan Center, Hudson, Vandercook Lake, Breckenridge
Top local teams: Breckenridge, Pewamo-Westphalia
Preview: Merrill was second last year in the state but won’t have enough girls to field a team this winter.
Big Rapids has a varsity team for the first time under new coach Kelsey Senyk. Team members are Morgan Traynor, Sydni Aris, Jenna French, Katie Powell, Caitlin Bomay, Harlee Tubbs, Corinne Marsh, Alexis Jackson, Temarya Watkins, and Erica Szelag.
Michigan Center rules, as it goes for its fifth straight state title. Pewamo-Westphalia has competed for the top spot in the past and hopes to do so again.
Top state finals prediction: Michigan Center will prevail again.