DIVISION 1
Top teams in the state: Rockford, Detroit Renaissance, Belleville, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, New Baltimore Anchor Bay, Saginaw Heritage.
Midland District
Teams: Bay City Central, Bay City Western, Midland, Midland Dow, Mount Pleasant
Team to Beat: Midland
Top Contenders: Midland Dow, Mount Pleasant
Summary: Ranked seventh in the state in the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) power rankings, Midland is the team to beat at this district. The Chemics headed into the final week of regular-season play with a 16-5 overall record and were second to Saginaw Heritage in the Saginaw Valley Conference (SVC) North division. Midland is led by standout sophomore point guard Kaiya Mahabir while Ella McLaughlin and Jensyn Ardouin are also key players for the Chemics. A young and improving Mt. Pleasant team is also capable of lifting the trophy at the end. The Oilers, who typically start four sophomores and a senior, split a pair of games with Midland this season and also swept the season series with Dow. Sophomores Morgan and her sister Lexi Borodychuk have been turning in big seasons for the Oilers.
Flushing District
Teams: Flint Carman-Ainsworth, Flushing, Saginaw Heritage, Saginaw United, Swartz Creek
Team to Beat: Saginaw Heritage
Top Contenders: Swartz Creek
Summary: Saginaw Heritage is ranked sixth in the state and has the talent on hand to make a run at the final four and a state title. The Hawks have fashioned a 15-6 overall record and are in first place in the SVC North division. The Hawks have a young and skilled squad led by sophomore standouts Jayla Laster, Josie Ode and Brooklyn Isom along with senior Alesia Ode. A first-team, all-state player last year, Laster is turning in another huge season this year. Swartz Creek is the only other team in this district that has reached double digits in wins and is the top contender.
Muskegon Mona Shores District
Teams: Cedar Springs, Greenville, Muskegon, Muskegon Mona Shores, Muskegon Reeths-Puffer, Rockford
Team to Beat: Rockford
Top Contenders: Cedar Springs, Greenville, Muskegon
Summary: One of the toughest districts in the entire state. At the top of the roster heading into the district is Rockford. Ranked No. 1 in the state in Division 1, the Rams have a 20-1 record. That one loss, however, was a 58-51 decision to Muskegon, ranked No. 14 in the state and also a part of this district. Muskegon has a 15-2 overall record and is capable of a deep tournament run of its own. Adding to the depth and skill of this district are Cedar Springs and Greenville from the River Cities Alliance Conference. Both the Red Hawks and Yellowjackets have racked up 15 wins this season and are capable of coming away with the district trophy when the dust settles.
Grand Ledge District
Teams: DeWitt, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Lansing Eastern, Lansing Everett, Lansing Waverly
Team to Beat: DeWitt
Top Contender: East Lansing
Summary: DeWitt is ranked 17th in the state and has a 16-4 record heading into the final week of the regular season. Led by the core of Carly Dennis, Sophia Beland, Rowynn Moore and Jessie English, the Panthers have posted wins against Mt. Pleasant, Haslett, Davison and East Lansing this season while falling in double overtime to Saginaw Heritage. East Lansing is the top challenger with a record of 15-6. Along with splitting with DeWitt, the Trojans also split the season series with Holt and have a win against Portland.
Okemos District
Teams: Holt, Jackson, Jackson Northwest, Mason, Okemos
Team to Beat: Holt
Top Contenders: Jackson, Okemos
Summary: Holt is ranked 16th in the state and has put together a 15-4 record heading into the final week of the season. With Olivia Gadson, Grace Gaudard and Maya Baker leading the way, the Rams have swept the season series against both East Lansing and Okemos and have split with DeWitt. Jackson and Okemos both have reached double digits in wins this season and will provide potential roadblocks for Holt.
Oxford District
Teams: Davison, Grand Blanc, Holly, Lapeer, Oxford
Team to Beat: Davison
Top Contenders: Oxford
Summary: Davison brings a 13-6 record into the final week of regular-season play and five of the six losses have come against state-ranked teams. The Cardinals are the team to beat but Oxford will be a tough out playing on its home court.