D1 Quarterfinal Previews

<p>We have reached the quarterfinals of the MHSAA playoffs. Eight teams remain per division, which means each team is one victory away from a semifinal appearance at the Breslin Center. At this point there are no guarantees or easy wins--it's going to take a complete team effort to advance in the tournament. There are four D1 games taking place today, so let's take a closer look at the matchups. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinal #1-Muskegon Mona Shores</h2>   <p>Rockford (25-1) vs. Grand Haven (22-3)</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/PXL_20240615_154436101.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1718541613.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-925633" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='807315' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek'], 2027, Grand Haven, MBA, Michigan, BCAM Reaching Higher, June 15th, 2024.</figcaption></figure>   <p><strong>Breakdown: </strong>It's hard to beat a conference opponent three times in one season, but that's exactly what Rockford will attempt to do against Grand Haven today. Rockford beat the Buccaneers 60-48 and 45-34, which was closer than many teams played them this season. Grand Haven has proven their legitimacy by beating tough teams on their path to the quarterfinals. The Buccaneers beat Zeeland West 48-24 to win their district, then beat Hudsonville 43-36 and Forest Hills Northern 50-47 to win their Regional. [player_tooltip player_id='807315' first='Mallory' last='Woiteshek'] had the best season among sophomore forwards in the state, with eye-popping stats in several categories--her mobility, length, and presence on both ends is a difference maker. [player_tooltip player_id='943220' first='Georgia' last='Reinecke'], [player_tooltip player_id='982821' first='Kendall' last='Gillis'], and [player_tooltip player_id='716471' first='Gillian' last='Sorrelle'] are three guards who can score and defend, while [player_tooltip player_id='1158072' first='Abby' last='Sponaas'] is another long interior player who finishes in the paint and corrals rebounds for the Bucs. [player_tooltip player_id='420486' first='Anna' last='Wypych'] (PGH Michigan Senior Player of the Year) was named Miss Basketball yesterday and she has a history of playing her best ball in March. She will need to be contained along with scrappy forward [player_tooltip player_id='924008' first='Kate' last='Higgins'] for any chance of an upset. [player_tooltip player_id='890718' first='Addison' last='Wypych'] set a school record for assists this year--her perimeter shooting and defense create challenges for opponents. [player_tooltip player_id='860210' first='Jordan' last='Mateer'] contributes with her effort on both ends. Rockford's next-level wing [player_tooltip player_id='613428' first='Sienna' last='Wolfe'] is back and that's an advantage they didn't have in the first two matchups. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinal #2-Holt</h2>   <p>Belleville (25-1) vs. DeWitt (25-1)</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/PXL_20240615_162112752.MP_-crop-2953x1939-1740444027.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1203765" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='613010' first='Tara' last='Kurncz'], 2025, DeWitt, BCAM Reaching Higher.</figcaption></figure>   <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> It's been a long time since DeWitt's last defeat, which came against Holt in their second game of the regular season. The Panthers cruised to a 55-35 win vs. East Lansing in the District Final, defeated Holt 57-38 in the Regional Semifinals, and won their Regional with a decisive 41-18 victory vs. Coldwater. They'll face their toughest test of the postseason today against a daunting Belleville team that's expected to be a state finalist. DeWitt has plenty of firepower at guard with two senior 1,000-point scorers in [player_tooltip player_id='613010' first='Tara' last='Kurncz'] and [player_tooltip player_id='424564' first='Madi' last='Uyl']. Shifty combo guard [player_tooltip player_id='924016' first='Sophia' last='Beland'] led the team with 13 points in their win against Coldwater. Forward [player_tooltip player_id='860190' first='Carly' last='Dennis'] is a productive scorer and rebounder for the Panthers, while guards [player_tooltip player_id='751141' first='Golden' last='Nicholson'], [player_tooltip player_id='751147' first='Jaynie' last='English'], and [player_tooltip player_id='751148' first='Jessica' last='English'] add depth off the bench. Belleville has beaten every opponent by at least 30 points in the postseason--their only loss came to Wayne Memorial by five on February 1st. They beat Hartland 65-35 in the Regional Finals after a 79-40 win vs. Dexter. Michigan's Gatorade Player of the Year and PGH Michigan Sophomore Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='807274' first='Sydney' last='Savoury'] is off to a dominant start this postseason and when she's scoring over 30 points, it's going to be difficult to keep up. [player_tooltip player_id='613939' first='SeCrette' last='Carter'] is deadly accurate from beyond the arc and all-time assist leader [player_tooltip player_id='419558' first='Rylan' last='Buschell'] is an expert facilitator who can also knock down perimeter jumpers. Freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='859826' first='Paisley' last='Stephens'] has athleticism and versatility that makes her dangerous as a defender, scorer, and passer. The physicality and toughness of [player_tooltip player_id='921969' first='Iyana' last='Stephens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='734978' first='Christine' last='Chinemelu'] inside is a challenge for opponents to match. Belleville has four starters with D1 offers and their top seven are capable of contributing to teams at the next level--that's a tall task for opponents to stop. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinal #3-University of Detroit Mercy</h2>   <p>Temperance Bedford (24-2) vs. Wayne Memorial (20-6)</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/PXL_20240608_171133948.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1717890797.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-920726" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='419533' first='Colleena' last='Bryant'], 2025, Wayne Memorial, [program_tooltip program_id='712354' first='1' last='Nation'], Drexel Commit.</figcaption></figure>   <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> The Zebras stampeded past tough teams to earn a quarterfinal birth as they defeated Farmington Hills Mercy 55-43 and Detroit Renaissance 51-47 to win a Regional title. Wayne Memorial is the only team to beat Belleville this season and they are playing their best basketball at the right time of the year. Temperance Bedford lost to Dexter and Tecumseh during the regular season, but it's been smooth sailing otherwise for the Kicking Mules. They beat Monroe 63-23 to win their District and defeated Detroit Cass Tech 43-35 in the Regional Finals. D1 volleyball commit [player_tooltip player_id='519157' first='Victoria' last='Gray'] is their greatest weapon on both ends, averaging 20.6 points, 15 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. She's Bedford's all-time leading scorer with over 1,200 points and career rebounds with over 1,000. The Kicking Mules have senior scoring depth at guard with Audrey Hensley, [player_tooltip player_id='898673' first='Brooklyn' last='Manard'], and Nyah Mullins all averaging over five points per game. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='927993' first='Anna' last='Gray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='928013' first='Sienna' last='May'] combine for just over 12 points per game. They'll all need to take their game up a notch to keep pace with Wayne Memorial tonight. Miss Basketball Finalist and PGH Michigan Senior Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='419533' first='Colleena' last='Bryant'] averages 18.1 points, 8.1 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game, passing 1,000 career points this season. Her backcourt partner [player_tooltip player_id='613942' first='Mariah' last='Cross'] averaged 17.7 points, 4.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.2 steals per game. Both players apply extreme pressure to opposing ball handlers, create scoring for teammates, and can score at all three levels for the Zebras--they'll be the most athletic guards on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='419535' first='Gabby' last='Gerald'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1113118' first='McKenzie' last='Nelson'] are strong forwards who should help the Zebras secure rebounds, defend, and finish inside. [player_tooltip player_id='613944' first='Morgan' last='Smith'] is a versatile guard who can defend and score, while [player_tooltip player_id='1113119' first='Zoe' last='Hightower'] is another great defender for Wayne Memorial. Bedford is attempting to make their first semifinal appearance and they have an uphill climb to do so. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinal #4-University of Detroit Mercy</h2>   <p>West Bloomfield (18-8) vs. Utica Ford (24-2)</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/609-Breasia-Gamble-Jones-crop-3483x2287-1737508493.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1155763" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='424144' first='Breasia' last='Gamble'], 2025, West Bloomfield, [program_tooltip program_id='712672' first='Michigan' last='Crossover EYBL'], Madonna Commit.</figcaption></figure>   <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> After graduating four starters (three D1 commits) from their state champion starting lineup, the Lakers weren't expected to be in position for another semifinal appearance--but here they are. They grinded out two district wins against tough teams with a 54-46 win vs. LVC champ Lakeland and a 41-36 victory vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep. The Lakers handled their business against Grand Blanc in the Regional Semifinals with a 45-30 win and beat OAA-Red champ Clarkston 47-42 in the Regional Finals. They have multiple athletic guards who can score and create steals with [player_tooltip player_id='613425' first='Sheridan' last='Beal'], [player_tooltip player_id='424144' first='Breasia' last='Gamble'], and [player_tooltip player_id='424154' first='Breanna' last='Gamble']. Wing [player_tooltip player_id='420490' first='Ava' last='Lord'] is a versatile scorer and rebounder, while [player_tooltip player_id='1155646' first='Londyn' last='Hall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1155641' first='Kaela' last='Hall'] are effective forwards in the paint. Utica Henry Ford II breezed their way to the quarterfinals, beating each playoff opponent by a comfortable 15-point margin. They defeated Fraser 63-48 in the District Finals and Warren Cousino 48-24 in the Regional Finals. The Falcons set a school record for wins in a season and are back in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1984. [player_tooltip player_id='427199' first='Anayya' last='Davis'] is one of the most dominant scorers in the state and she led the way with 18 points against Cousino, 29 points vs. Macomb Dakota, and 30 points vs. Fraser. She set a school record for points in a single season with over 500. In their first matchup of districts, [player_tooltip player_id='426725' first='Tyra' last='Wright'] set a school record for 3-pointers made in a game with eight and she reached a new single-season record for 3-pointers made in a season during Regionals. Wing [player_tooltip player_id='1056820' first='Emily' last='Leusby'] adds a perimeter scoring presence who can block shots, while [player_tooltip player_id='1052385' first='Claire' last='O'Brien'] gives the Falcons a tough rebounding and finishing presence in the paint. This should be a very competitive game. </p>

We have reached the quarterfinals of the MHSAA playoffs. Eight teams remain per division, which means each team is one victory away from a semifinal appearance at the Breslin Center. At this point there are no guarantees or easy wins--it's going to take a complete team effort to advance in the tournament. There are four D1 games taking place today, so let's take a closer look at the matchups.