DIVISION 2
Top teams in the state: Grand Rapids Covenant Christian, Otsego, Tecumseh, Grand Rapids South Christian, Goodrich, Grand Rapids West Catholic.
Cadillac District
Teams: Big Rapids, Cadillac, Fremont, Ludington, Newaygo, Reed City
Team to Beat: Big Rapids
Top Contenders: Fremont, Ludington, Newaygo
Summary: Big Rapids is ranked 15th in the state in Division 2. The Cardinals have a 15-4 record heading into the final week of the regular season and are perfect in the CSAA-Red this season. The four losses have come to Covenant Christian, the No. 1 team in D2, an overtime loss to D1 Mt. Pleasant, a loss to Saginaw Heritage and a loss to Spring Lake. Fremont and Ludington have been battling it out or first place in the West Michigan-Lakes and will be major contenders. The two teams split their season series this season.
Clare District
Teams: Clare, Gladwin, Ogemaw Heights, Remus Chippewa Hills, Standish-Sterling
Team to Beat: Standish-Sterling
Top Contenders: Clare
Summary: Standish-Sterling ran away with the title in the Jack Pine Conference Division 1. The Panthers have only one loss in league play and have compiled a 17-3 overall record. Standish-Sterling also swept the season series from Clare. Clare comes in with a 15-5 record. Clare lost by 10 points in the first meeting and then cut the margin to a three-point loss in the rematch. The big question is if the Pioneers can unlock to key to coming out ahead if the two teams meet for the district title.
Shepherd District
Teams: Alma, Freeland, Midland Bullock Creek, Saginaw Swan Valley, Shepherd
Team to Beat: Freeland
Top Contender: Alma
Summary: Tri-Valley Conference Red division rivals Freeland and Alma sit in second and third-place respectively in the conference behind Frankenmuth and will battle it out for the district title. Freeland has a 14-6 overall record heading into the final week of the regular season while Alma is 13-6. Alma, however, swept the season series between the two teams winning 49-44 in Alma and 50-44 at Freeland. Freeland is led by junior standout Joz Begick who surpassed the 1,000-point mark for her career this season. Begick is averaging 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists per game. Alma is led by senior Lauren Seeley. Seeley posted a double-double in points and rebounds in the 50-44 Alma win. Seeley has also committed to playing basketball at Mid Michigan College next season. Senior Savannah Beery has also been a key player along with junior guard Giovanna Clark and junior Reese Mueller. Sophomore Morgan Seeley is also providing the Panthers with plenty of big minutes and is making a big impact this season.
Carrollton District
Teams: Bay City John Glenn, Birch Run, Bridgeport, Essexville Garber, Frankenmuth
Team to Beat: Frankenmuth
Top Contenders: Bay City John Glenn
Summary: Frankenmuth is ranked 16th in the state in D2. The Eagles are 10-1 in the TVC-Red and in first place but have a 11-8 overall record from playing a rugged schedule that included games against Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, Grand Rapids West Catholic, Saginaw Heritage, Flint Powers, Portland and Haslett. Standout guard Macy Donovan leads the way for the Eagles along with Lucy Conzelmann and point guard Grace Brenner. John Glenn has a 14-6 overall record. Aleeyah Alonzo-Mannings is a major scoring threat for the Bobcats while Aubrey Moore has been getting the job done on the board and offensively.
Clio District
Teams: Clio, Corunna, Flint Powers, Flint Southwestern, Owosso
Team to Beat: Flint Powers
Top Contenders: Corunna, Owosso
Summary: Ranked seventh in the state, Flint Powers will be tough to oust at this district and is a definite threat to reach the final four. Standout point guard Kendyl Smith leads the way for the Chargers who have recorded wins against Saginaw Heritage, Midland Dow, Davison, Frankenmuth and Pewamo-Westphalia this season. Corunna is having a solid season. The Cavaliers are 16-5 overall and 7-3 in the conference. Corunna also swept rival Owosso this season. Owosso comes in with a 13-8 record.
Central Montcalm District
Teams: Belding, Central Montcalm, Ionia, Portland, St Johns
Team to Beat: Portland
Top Contender: Ionia
Summary: Portland has been a solid program for the past several years and nothing has changed this season. The Raiders have a 16-4 overall record and lead the CAAC-White with a perfect 11-0 mark. Senior Lilly Thelen leads the way for the Raiders while Leigha Roberson, Claire Lyon and Summer Stopczynski have also been turning in strong seasons. Ionia is the top contender. The Bulldogs are 14-4 overall and have a 9-4 conference record. Logan Thomas has been a major offensive threat for the Bulldogs while Tessa Lemke and Selina Stalker have also been key contributors for Ionia.
Haslett District
Teams: Charlotte, Eaton Rapids, Haslett, Hastings, Lakewood-Lake Odessa
Team to Beat: Haslett
Top Contender: Eaton Rapids
Summary: Haslett is a big favorite in this district. Ranked 12th in the state, the Vikings have a 17-2 overall record and are a perfect 9-0 in the CAAC Red. Haslett’s lone two losses have come against Rockford and DeWitt, state-ranked teams in Division 1. Haslett has a deep and talented squad led by senior Christina Dixon who recorded her 1,000th career point this season. Avery Hannah is one of the top all-around players in the Lansing area while Kaitlyn Johnson and Alexis Turner are also having solid seasons. Eaton Rapids is 14-6 and 11-3 in the CAAC White in second place behind Portland. The Greyhounds are led by standout freshman guard Delaney Collins who is having a huge freshman season. Elle Lorente, Mckena Smith, Devyn Winkelman and Addyson Schultz are also main contributors for the Greyhounds.
Williamston District
Teams: Ann Arbor Richard, Chelsea, Fowlerville, Pinckney, Williamston
Team to Beat: Ann Arbor Richard
Top Contenders: Chelsea, Williamston
Summary: Ann Arbor Richard comes in with a 14-4 record and is the favorite to hoist the district title. Chelsea is turning in a big season in the Southeastern Conference and will be a major threat while Williamston is looking to parlay hosting the district into post-season success.