DIVISION 3
Top teams in the state: Jackson Lumen Christi, McBain, Niles Brandywine, Blissfield, Pewamo-Westphalia, Kalamazoo Hackett.
Evart District
Teams: Evart, Lake City, LeRoy Pine River, Manton, McBain
Team to Beat: McBain
Top Contender: Evart
Summary: Ranked second in the state in Division 3, McBain is the runaway favorite in this district, McBain has a perfect 19-0 record and swept Evart in conference play this season. Evart is second in the Highland Conference this season with a 14-3 overall record and 10-2 league mark.
Sanford-Meridian District
Teams: Beaverton, Harrison, Houghton Lake, Pinconning, Sanford Meridian
Team to Beat: Beaverton
Top Contenders: Sanford-Meridian
Summary: Beaverton has a 17-2 overall record and 15-0 record in the Jack Pine Conference (JPC) Division 2 heading into the final week of the season. The lone losses have been to McBain and Hemlock. Beaverton is led by Taryn Roberts who is averaging 21 points and nine rebounds per game and Myah Hubble who is adding 19 points and six assists per game. Sanford Meridian is second in the JPC D2 and is 13-6 overall.
Morley-Stanwood District
Teams: Beal City, Blanchard Montabella, Farwell, Lakeview, Morley Stanwood
Team to Beat: Morley-Stanwood
Top Contender: Beal City, Montabella
Summary: Morley-Stanwood is a huge favorite on its home court. The Mohawks have a 17-2 overall record with the lone losses coming against Division 2 standouts Big Rapids and Fremont.
Ovid-Elsie District
Teams: Chesaning, Hemlock, Ithaca, Ovid-Elsie, Pewamo-Westphalia, St. Louis
Team to Beat: Pewamo-Westphalia
Top Contenders: Hemlock, Ovid-Elsie
Summary: This is one of the premier Divison 3 districts in the state. Pewamo-Westphalia enters with a 17-2 overall record and are ranked fifth in the state. The Pirates have dominated the CMAC with a 16-0 record. Outside of the conference, P-W defeated Division 1 East Lansing 58-50 while the two losses have come against top-ten teams in Division 1 (Saginaw Heritage) and Division 2 (Flint Powers). The Pirates are a balanced team loaded with solid players. Adrianna Eklund leads the way for the Pirate who have been getting big seasons from Peyton Eklund, Elly Bengel, Elyse Thelen, Renell Eklund and Alonna Thelen who prevent teams from keying in on any one player. Challenging the Pirates is another tradition D3 powerhouse in Hemlock. The Huskies are ranked 11th in the state and have an 18-2 overall record and 9-0 league mark in the TVC Blue division. Hemlock is led by senior standout Victoria Hauffe who is averaging 15 points per game and has eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for her career. Maylin Buckley and Kinsley Conger are also turning in solid seasons for the Huskies who also feature outstanding depth. Freshman Sage Lavigne is also making a huge impact averaging 11 points and eight rebounds per game. Ovid-Elsie is another solid team at this district. The Marauders have a 14-5 record and are 12-3 in the conference. Ithaca brings a 12-9 record into the district. The Yellowjackets have a solid group of players led by Libby Maurer along with Alyssa Polash, Eemma McCune and Riley Skinner.
Flint Beecher District
Teams: Flint Beecher, Flint Hamady, Flint New Standard Academy, Montrose, New Lothrop
Team to Beat: New Lothrop
Top Contender: Flint Hamady
Summary: New Lothrop is the favorite as the Hornets are ranked 16th in the state. New Lothrop is 18-2 overall and a perfect 15-0 in the Mid-State Activities Conference. The Hornets are led by junior standout shooting guard Katelyn Wendling. A prolific scorer, Wendling went over the 1,000-point mark for her career and is poised to lead the Hornets on a deep post-season run. Flint Hamady has a 15-3 overall record and will be a major hurdle while Flint New Standard Academy is a team capable of pulling the upset with a 13-4 overall mark.
Bath District
Teams: Bath, Durand, Laingsburg, Lansing Catholic, Perry
Team to Beat: Bath
Top Contenders: Durand, Laingsburg
Summary: Bath has a 17-3 record and is second in the CMAC with a 14-2 mark with both of the losses coming against Pewamo-Westphalia. Bath’s third loss came against state-ranked Michigan Center. Africa Beltran leads the way for the Bees while Addi Duflo, Anna Poppema and Harper Williams have also played key roles this season. Laingsburg is 17-3 overall and 13-3, a game behind Bath, in the CMAC. Brooklyn Holm leads the way for the Wolfpack while Lilli Morrill, Payge Woodworth, Mallory Woodberry and Leah Mills have also been strong contributors. Bath edged Laingsburg by two points earlier in the season and the two teams meet again in the final week of the regular season. Durand has a 14-6 overall record and is 11-4 in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference and is capable of making a big impact.