MHSAA TOURNEY PREVIEW: Districts 13 and 14

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The road to the state finals begins on March 3rd. Teams from four divisions will compete for 128 district titles across two peninsulas, and only one team from each district will add a trophy to their case. District previews will be released in the weeks leading up to the state MHSAA tournament to provide all-access insight into the teams and prospects that make up each district. Here is a look at Districts 13 and 14.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/02/mhsaa-tourney-preview-district-1-4/">Read About Districts 1-4</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/02/mhsaa-tourney-preview-district-5-8/">Read About Districts 5-8</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">District #13-Hartland</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Favorite: </strong>Howell</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1206448,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/09/76-Alison-Farr-scaled-crop-2560x1681-1740703980.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1206448" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='424155' first='Alison' last='Farr'], 2025, Howell, [program_tooltip program_id='955650' first='Michigan' last='Drive Express'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darkhorse: </strong>Hartland</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1101781,"width":"804px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/05/PXL_20240515_230803788-crop-3024x1986-1733771406-crop-640x421-1733771429-crop-512x336-1733771455.jpg?w=511" alt="" class="wp-image-1101781" style="width:804px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='716692' first='Kennedy' last='Tucker'], 2025, Hartland, [program_tooltip program_id='715695' first='Michigan' last='Vice'], [program_tooltip program_id='715695' first='Michigan' last='Vice'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown: </strong>Howell finished second in the KLAA West standings at 11-3 (Lost to Northville twice and Plymouth), while Hartland finished third at 10-4 (Lost to Howell twice, Northville, and Brighton). In 2024, Howell defeated Hartland 43-42 in a thrilling District final that came down to free throws in the closing seconds. The Highlanders beat Hartland 49-35 to win the District in 2023, but in 2022, the Eagles took the District Final 45-36 en route to a magical state-runner-up finish at the Breslin. Howell may have swept the season series this year, but the games are always a toss-up depending on who executes their offensive/defensive strategies and which playmakers step up in big moments. Howell plays fast both ways and has several shooters who can light the lamp from 3-point range. Hartland is extremely patient on offense, with guards who are excellent slashers to the rim, and their defensive discipline frustrates opposing offenses. [player_tooltip player_id='424155' first='Alison' last='Farr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1049536' first='Izzy' last='Depestel'] are two excellent distributors who play lockdown defense, while MacKenzie Duthie and [player_tooltip player_id='716692' first='Kennedy' last='Tucker'] both establish a physical finishing and rebounding presence inside. [player_tooltip player_id='613940' first='Gabby' last='Piepho'] catches fire from 3-point range and has the most in Howell history. [player_tooltip player_id='502296' first='Ava' last='Mckaig'] slashes to score off the dribble, knocks down clutch outside shots, and works hard to secure rebounds and guard her yard. Hartland has statement non-conference wins against Holt and Clarkston, while Howell has statement wins against Saginaw Heritage and Saline. This district will have some very competitive games to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams: </strong>Brighton (12-10), Fenton (12-9), Hartland (17-5), Howell (16-6), Milford (13-8)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospects: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866217' first='Gracyn' last='Houck'], [player_tooltip player_id='425128' first='Sophia' last='Heady'], [player_tooltip player_id='716470' first='Ellie' last='Pierson'], Brighton; [player_tooltip player_id='1169228' first='Alejandra' last='Ayotte'], [player_tooltip player_id='927983' first='Lucy' last='Weber'], Fenton; [player_tooltip player_id='1049536' first='Izzy' last='Depestel'], [player_tooltip player_id='502296' first='Ava' last='Mckaig'], [player_tooltip player_id='981981' first='Brinley' last='Neuer'], [player_tooltip player_id='866176' first='Kendall' last='Nokovich'], [player_tooltip player_id='716692' first='Kennedy' last='Tucker']; Hartland, MacKenzie Duthie, [player_tooltip player_id='424155' first='Alison' last='Farr'], Maurisa Mikus, [player_tooltip player_id='613940' first='Gabby' last='Piepho'], [player_tooltip player_id='796703' first='Kylie' last='Pung'], Howell; [player_tooltip player_id='1206455' first='Molly' last='Jenkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='919618' first='Ashlyn' last='Lutz'], Milford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">District #14-Northville</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Favorite:</strong> Northville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":774954,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/09/Peyton-Sivier.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-774954" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='751163' first='Peyton' last='Sivier'], 2027, Northville, [program_tooltip program_id='713193' first='Michigan' last='Goonies']. </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darkhorse: </strong>South Lyon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":776592,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Isabella-Nooe.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-776592" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Izzy Nooe, 2025, South Lyon, Mystics, Bethel Commit.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Northville was a pre-season Darkhorse to win the KLAA West, and they raced by everyone in the standings to claim their first title since 2017. The Mustangs finished 12-2 in the conference, splitting wins with Hartland and Brighton, and sweeping Howell in the season series. They earned a statement win against Farmington Hills Mercy, winning 37-34. [player_tooltip player_id='751163' first='Peyton' last='Sivier'] (11 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 steals. 3.1 assists, 2.5 blocks) and [player_tooltip player_id='982789' first='Carly' last='Pelon'] (10.1 points, 2.2 assists, 2 steals, and 1.6 rebounds) earned All-Conference Select Team, while [player_tooltip player_id='866211' first='Sophia' last='Fraas'] (9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 1.9 assists) and [player_tooltip player_id='1206518' first='Harper' last='Lee'] (5.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals) earned All-Conference honors. Northville has aggressive guards who drive hard to the basket and can light it up from 3-point distance. South Lyon was also a pre-season threat, and they earned a shared Lakes Valley Conference title with a 12-2 record. The Lions exercised demons by sweeping crosstown rival South Lyon East in their regular season series; they split wins with Lakeland and Walled Lake Northern. South Lyon defeated Northville during the regular season 51-46 after the Mustangs rallied to make a furious comeback in the fourth quarter. [player_tooltip player_id='663349' first='Isabella' last='Nooe'] is arguably the best player in the LVC and one of the most complete guards in the state. She became South Lyon's all-time leading scorer this season and is relentless on offense and defense. She had a monster game in their first meeting and will need to be contained if the two teams square off again. [player_tooltip player_id='1052019' first='Sarah' last='Nelson'] has been a consistent outside scorer for South Lyon, and they'll need her to knock them down in the playoffs. South Lyon East has plenty of talented guards who can put the ball in the basket; they'll be a tough out in this district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams: </strong>Northville (14-8), Novi (1-20), South Lyon (17-2), South Lyon East (12-10), Walled Lake Western (3-19)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospects: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='866211' first='Sophia' last='Fraas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1206518' first='Harper' last='Lee'], [player_tooltip player_id='982789' first='Carly' last='Pelon'], [player_tooltip player_id='751163' first='Peyton' last='Sivier']; Northville, [player_tooltip player_id='905740' first='Mady' last='Rabe'], [player_tooltip player_id='1050224' first='Sydney' last='Hartke']; Novi, [player_tooltip player_id='1052019' first='Sarah' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='663349' first='Isabella' last='Nooe']; South Lyon, [player_tooltip player_id='728271' first='Megan' last='Fannon'], [player_tooltip player_id='860192' first='Nyla' last='Lake'], [player_tooltip player_id='982783' first='Brooke' last='Moyer'], [player_tooltip player_id='807310' first='Kaitlyn' last='Therrian']; South Lyon East.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->