Written Sunday February 25th at 10:45 AM
Updated Sunday March 3rd at 10:00 AM
Here are the Girls Basketball District matchups and preview looking ahead.
Here is deeper insight of each district.
https://saginawbay4650.blogspot.com/2023/06/written-tuesday-june-20th-at-920-am.html
District 60 @ Harper Woods
Eastpointe vs HARPER WOODS
Detroit East English Village Prep vs Harper Woods Chandler Park
THOUGHTS: This does not look like a very strong district. Harper Woods has some experience despite having a losing record. The Pioneers have played a very difficult schedule based on the MPR but have struggled as of late. Eastpointe has the most wins out of this group but the strength of schedule is not the greatest for the Shamrocks. Harper Woods Chandler Park has the second seed but the Eagles could make amends in the tournament despite their struggles. Detroit East English has really under performed this season but like Harper Woods Chandler Park they could make amends in the postseason. Harper Woods is the favorite in this district but they could get upset by Eastpointe in the district semifinals if they aren’t careful, it happened last week with the Pioneers boys when they fell to the Shamrocks in the same round.
District 58 @ Birmingham Detroit Country Day
FERNDALE UNIVERSITY vs Detroit Lincoln King
Winner plays Birmingham Detroit Country Day in district semifinals
Detroit University Prep vs Detroit Henry Ford
Winner plays FERNDALE in district semifinals
THOUGHTS: This district is shaping up to be a Ferndale vs Birmingham Detroit Country Day in the district final. The Yellow Jackets have had a really strong season and look to keep that momentum going. Detroit Lincoln King could give them some fits in the district semifinals pending if they can get by Ferndale University in the first round. The Eagles have had a strong season winning the Gold and have been battle tested. They edged out Detroit Lincoln King for the second seed and not having to play on Monday is huge for Coach Keith Paris’s team. Detroit Henry Ford could give Ferndale some trouble in the district semifinals. Overall I see this being a district final preview as mentioned between the two seeded teams.
District 32 @ Grand Blanc
Holly vs Lapeer
Winner plays Grand Blanc in district semifinals
Davison vs OXFORD-district semifinals
THOUGHTS: This is shaping up to be a very interesting district in Genesee County. Grand Blanc looks to be the favorite because of their strength of schedule and home court but keep an eye on Oxford. The Wildcats went to the Red this season just for this moment. Grand Blanc has beaten Oxford three straight years but there are some who believe this is the Wildcats time to break through the Bobcats wall. Oxford will have to get past Davison again if they want to make it back to the district finals. The Wildcats beat the Cardinals 42-34 earlier in the season at Ian Smith Gym but the foot injury to Sophia Rabb will be worth monitoring to see if she comes back for the postseason. Grand Blanc will see the winner of Lapeer and Holly in the district semifinals. Both teams have really struggled this season but the Lightning have a win over Davison in the regular season. This should be a Wildcats/Bobcats district final on paper but you never know with this district, just look at the boys side of things when Holly upset Davison in the district semifinals.
District 29 @ Waterford Mott
Waterford Mott vs CLARKSTON
Waterford Kettering vs LAKE ORION
THOUGHTS: This district has the makings of a Lake Orion/Clarkston district finals which seems likely at the moment where both teams won at home in their two Red matchups (Clarkston 60-48, Lake Orion 49-48.) Waterford Kettering and Waterford Mott doesn’t really match up well to the Dragons and Wolves respectively. Clarkston has won several games behind their balance attack of Brooklyn Covert, Ellery Hernandez, Ellie Mourner, Marly Mazur, and Emily Valencia. They have been without their best player in Ellianna Robak who has been battling an ankle injury she injured against the Dragons in their regular season meeting at Lake Orion but it is very likely Robak will be playing in the district. Lake Orion has found multiple ways to win after some really tough losses in the middle of the season. The Dragons have relied on Izzy Wotlinski, Ryann Pawalcyzk, Ellie Britt, Lexie Stroschein, Charlotte Peplowski, and Neveah Wood along with some very timely defense in that stretch. Lake Orion has been getting disrespected in the media as well with experts picking Clarkston to win the district. I think both the Dragons and Wolves are evenly matched with each team holding serve at home. This district as I said in June will be colored in green and white or blue and gold.
District 28 @ Troy Athens
BLOOMFIELD HILLS vs TROY ATHENS
Winner plays TROY in district semifinals
AVONDALE vs SEAHOLM- district semifinals
THOUGHTS: This district is very interesting when looking at the teams, it’s anyone’s for the taking. Seaholm got the best part of the draw having to play Avondale in the district semifinals where they won 64-42 in Birmingham earlier in the season. The Maples clinched a share of the White with their win over Harper Woods. The Maples beat Bloomfield Hills 53-37 at Little Caesars Arena earlier in the season but they have not played Troy or Troy Athens this season. The Blackhawks returned the favor winning 56-51 at home over Seaholm last week clinching their share of the White crown with the Maples. The Yellow Jackets have been injury riddled all season but if they can get several players back, they are very dangerous and can be a really tough out for anyone. Troy has really improved since their 3-7 start and have played much better in recent weeks. The Colts have a daunting task awaiting them, they could see Bloomfield Hills or Troy Athens which should be very interesting in the district semifinals. Troy has a 54-51 win at Troy Athens and a 58-57 win over the Red Hawks in the regular season but they haven’t played the Blackhawks this season. Troy Athens has really struggled lately but they are still dangerous. Whoever wins this district would have earned it.
District 27 @ Stoney Creek
ADAMS vs Utica Eisenhower
Winner plays STONEY CREEK in district semifinals
ROCHESTER vs Romeo-district semifinals
THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district on Tienken and Sheldon Road. Stoney Creek has beaten everyone in this district at least once this season but they struggled as of late with the rough and tear of the Red. The Cougars will see either Adams or Utica Eisenhower in the district semifinals. The Highlanders are better than their record says (finished 6-16.) Adams gave Stoney Creek everything they could handle in the Crosstown Showdown (38-31.) The Eagles are not an easy team either by any stretch. On the other side of the bracket, this is the worst matchup for Romeo having to play Rochester. The Falcons have two very talented bigs in Alice Max and Kylie Robinson and despite their record, Rochester has been here before. The Bulldogs have had a really good season winning 16 games but playing the Falcons is a very tough chore. This should be a very interesting district, Stoney Creek is the favorite because of home court and proven experience players in Sarah LaPraire, Merrick Schlawbach, and Izzy Ivezaj but they have several roadblocks ahead of them in the postseason.
District 23 @ Warren Cousino
Warren Mott vs Sterling Heights
Winner plays Warren Cousino in district semifinals
GROVES vs ROYAL OAK-district semifinals
THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district in Macomb County. Royal Oak had the top seed all but wrapped up but they fell 46-42 to Groves in Beverly Hills in a very good game. The loss to the Falcons placed the Ravens into the second seed which means they will rematch the Falcons for the third time in the district semifinals (Royal Oak won first meeting 38-31 in Royal Oak.) Warren Cousino benefited from this outcome by getting the top seed and will await Warren Mott or Sterling Heights in the district semifinals. The Patriots have won 15 games this season which included a 50-47 win over Seaholm in Warren and they have home court. It will be very interesting to see what OAA team awaits them in the district final unless they get upset which is unlikely. Warren Cousino is the favorite because of home court and they have a 1,000 career scorer in Kasi Pearson but Royal Oak and Groves have other plans in mind.
District 22 @ Farmington Hills Mercy
NORTH FARMINGTON vs FARMINGTON
Winner plays West Bloomfield in district semifinals
Birmingham Marian vs Farmington Hills Mercy-district semifinals
THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district with powerhouse names. North Farmington and Farmington will have a rematch in the first round after the Raiders won 59-12 over the Falcons earlier in the season. Whoever wins that game will play West Bloomfield in the district semifinals. The Lakers are the overwhelming favorite in this district with proven experience in Summer Davis, Indya Davis, Sheridan Beal, Destiny Washington, and Ava Lord. Whoever wins that side of the district will get a Catholic League power in the district finals. Birmingham Marian or Farmington Hills Mercy in part four of their season series (Catholic League and the Catholic League playoffs) in the district semifinals with the winner likely having to face the Lakers in the district finals. I don’t see how anyone in this district will give West Bloomfield a game.
District 21 @ Berkley
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH vs OAK PARK
Winner plays Detroit Renaissance in district semifinals
BERKLEY vs Redford Thurston
Winner plays Detroit Mumford in district semifinals
THOUGHTS: This district is very interesting on Catalpa Drive. Detroit Renaissance is the favorite and are veteran heavy, talented, and experienced. The Phoenix have rolled to the Detroit Public School League crown and is the defending district champs. Southfield Arts and Tech could give Detroit Renaissance some trouble in the district semifinals with their athleticism and speed pending if they can get by Oak Park in the first round. Berkley and Redford Thurston should be very interesting with both teams winning double digit games this season in the first round. The Bears have been playing really good basketball behind the play of Maeve Nolan, Madi Boswall, Hailey Kirkwood, Nadia Watt, Avery Wintergarden, Kaitlyn Sills, and others. The winner of the Berkley/Redford Thurston game will play Detroit Mumford in the district semifinals which should be very interesting. The Mustangs have played a really tough schedule so don’t let their record deceive you, they are well coached and very good. I do remember a few years ago when Berkley upset Detroit Renaissance. This is shaping up to be a very good district at Berkley.
Here is the podcast from that game in 2022.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQho3leMzGM&list=PLauKkgE1CU4hgHmjqHvUxJkEFk6CGicTW&index=85
