D2 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 D2 games taking place today, so let's take a closer look at the matchups.</p>   <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/03/d1-quarterfinal-previews/">Read D1 Quarterfinal Previews</a></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinal #5-Cheboygan</h2>   <p>Gladstone (24-2) vs. Frankenmuth (22-4) </p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/07/Lillie-Johnson-crop-3226x2118-1721535006-crop-640x421-1731022244.jpg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-1055698" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='734932' first='Lillie' last='Johnson'], 2026, Gladstone, [program_tooltip program_id='715386' first='Great' last='Northern Elite']. </figcaption></figure>   <p><strong>Breakdown: </strong>After losing to Negaunee twice during the regular season, Gladstone knocked off the 2024 semifinalists 50-47 in the District Finals--Now the Braves are one win away from their own semifinal appearance. Lilly Johnson has positioned herself as a premier wing/small forward prospect in the 2026 class and her 27-point performance lifted the Braves to victory over Negaunee. She averaged 21.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.9 steals, and 2.8 assists per game during the regular season--Lilly will need to produce big numbers tonight for the Braves to win. Guards [player_tooltip player_id='886674' first='Mayce' last='Hanson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='887024' first='Eva' last='Pankonien'] are key contributors and they'll be tested tonight. Gladstone beat Sault Ste. Marie handedly 68-36 and defeated Fremont 49-31 in the Regional Finals. Frankenmuth beat TVC-Red rival Freeland 53-44 in the Regional Semifinals then avenged their opening night loss with a 41-27 win vs. Portland in the Regional Finals. They have shooters who can put the ball in the basket and their team defense makes scoring challenging for opponents. [player_tooltip player_id='409313' first='Clare' last='Conzelmann'] and [player_tooltip player_id='932742' first='Macy' last='Donovan'] are two athletic guards who can rip the nets from 3-point distance. [player_tooltip player_id='866167' first='Grace' last='Brenner'] is a scrappy defender and excellent facilitator, while [player_tooltip player_id='1120586' first='Rosemary' last='Brenner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1059992' first='Izzy' last='Bernthal'] both provide timely scoring, rebounding, and defense for the Eagles. Frankenmuth has the postseason experience and a more talented roster, while Gladstone might have the top prospect. The Eagles have been able to keep elite scorers in check this season and that experience should prove useful in this game. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinal #6-Unity Christian</h2>   <p>Grand Rapids West Catholic (22-3) vs. Grand Rapids South Christian (24-2)</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/05/PXL_20240511_180832936-crop-3024x1986-1715614296.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-908237" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='919220' first='Sophia' last='Prins'], 2026, MBA GUAA, Mother's Day Classic, May 11, 2024. </figcaption></figure>   <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> West Catholic and South Christian shared the O.K. Conference Gold title as both teams went undefeated against the field and split wins during the regular season. West Catholic beat South Christian 62-49 in their first meeting, but South Christian responded with a 58-51 win in their second game. Now both teams meet for a third time with a semifinal birth at stake. South Christian defeated three tough teams to get here. They defeated Holland Christian 59-50 to win their district, beat Paw Paw 88-61 in the Regional Semifinals, and defeated Vicksburg 64-57 in the Regional Finals. West Catholic defeated Unity Christian 66-40 to win their District and battled their way to a hard-fought 62-55 win vs. a tough Grand Rapids Catholic Central squad. The Falcons earned a 46-24 victory over Spring Lake to win their Regional. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='419529' first='Elisha' last='Dykstra'] passed 1,000 points against Spring Lake--she's an athletic prospect who blocks shots, creates steals, dishes assists, and scores from all three levels. Sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='865141' first='Alexis' last='Asekomeh'] creates matchup challenges with her athleticism and strength. She's a double-double scoring and rebounding threat every game. [player_tooltip player_id='423696' first='Anna' last='Ignatoski'] is a great passer, hard-working defender, and accurate perimeter shooter, while freshman [player_tooltip player_id='800599' first='Kenley' last='Slanger'] contributes in several categories to help the team succeed. South Christian has 3-point sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='615162' first='Lizzie' last='Wolthuis'] and dynamic point guard [player_tooltip player_id='919220' first='Sophia' last='Prins'] leading their backcourt. Senior wing [player_tooltip player_id='1218775' first='Lily' last='Nitz'] erupted for a team-high 23 points with four triples against Paw Paw. [player_tooltip player_id='716700' first='Kamryn' last='Boonstra'] is a lanky and mobile wing/forward who can hit perimeter jumpers and make plays inside on both ends. [player_tooltip player_id='938391' first='Meredith' last='Helmus'] is another guard who can put her foot down and drive to the rim or knock down perimeter jumpers. This game should be an absolute classic. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinal #7-Northville</h2>   <p>Goodrich (23-3) vs. Tecumseh (24-1)</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/PXL_20240420_202404663.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1713823983.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-897088" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='807288' first='Addi' last='Zajac'], 2027, Tecumseh, Legends U.</figcaption></figure>   <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Tecumseh comes into the quarterfinals beaming with confidence after knocking off a Father Gabriel Richard team that many picked to win it all. The Indians are one of two teams this season to hold the Irish under 40 points and they'll need to achieve similar success defensively to beat a Goodrich team that can put points on the board in a hurry. Tecumseh beat F.G.R. 50-39 and defeated Adrian Madison 55-24 to win their District. They should have a clear rebounding advantage tonight with [player_tooltip player_id='419531' first='Alli' last='Zajac'] and [player_tooltip player_id='807288' first='Addi' last='Zajac'] causing matchup difficulties in the paint. [player_tooltip player_id='420489' first='Ashlyn' last='Moorehead'], [player_tooltip player_id='614714' first='Chloe' last='Bullinger'], [player_tooltip player_id='666667' first='Makayla' last='Schlorf'], and Lauren Killbarger were all important two-way contributors in the Regional Finals--they'll need to do so again tonight. Goodrich beat a tough Powers Catholic opponent 68-52 to win their District and won a 58-56 thriller against Haslett in their Regional Final. [player_tooltip player_id='613007' first='Ella' last='Place'] and [player_tooltip player_id='614704' first='Kayla' last='Hairston'] were money from beyond the arc, while [player_tooltip player_id='807312' first='Baylor' last='Lauinger'] slashed downhill to score off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='614706' first='Tanner' last='Schramm'] is a versatile wing/forward who can beat defenders off the dribble and extend her shot outside. The Martians turn teams over with their quickness and ball pressure. They push the pace to score in transition and put points on the board in a hurry with their 3-point shooting. This should be a very exciting game and I'm eager to see the result.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinal #8-St. Clair Community College</h2>   <p>Detroit Edison (18-6) vs. Detroit Country Day (20-5)</p>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/user-uploads/20250221_073848-crop-1285x844-1742326509.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1218846" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='419530' first='Isis' last='Johnson-Musah'], 2025, DEPSA, [program_tooltip program_id='712672' first='Michigan' last='Crossover EYBL'], Cal-Berkley Commit.</figcaption></figure>   <p><strong>Breakdown: </strong>Edison Prep won the state championship last year and they're one win away from another semifinals appearance at the Breslin Center. Miss Basketball finalist Isis Musah-Johnson eclipsed 1,000 points in three seasons and turned in a finals MVP caliber performance for Edison Prep last season. She's an athletic guard and true scorer who few can contain. The Pioneers have athletic contributors at every position and their depth is a major advantage. Their long and athletic forwards [player_tooltip player_id='751162' first='Nichole' last='James'] and [player_tooltip player_id='614648' first='Kamaria' last='Lowe'] are mobile rebounders, finishers, and shot blockers. [player_tooltip player_id='614647' first='Marianna' last='Jones'] is a gritty defender who has a good mid-range game and can finish with power around the rim. [player_tooltip player_id='751164' first='Rihanna' last='Young'] sees the court well and knocks down perimeter shots for the Pioneers. [player_tooltip player_id='716698' first='Pria' last='Johnson'] is another tough defender and rebounder who can also make plays on the offensive end. Edison Prep played a beast of a non-conference schedule during the regular season and Country Day will be their first real challenge of the postseason--they defeated Ferndale 77-27 in the Regional Finals. Detroit Country Day defeated Warren Regina 67-49 in the Regional Semifinals before beating Yale 66-49 in the Regional Finals. Two explosive guards lead the Yellowjackets on the offensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='613423' first='Jayla' last='Jackson'] erupted for a career-high 33 points against Yale and averaged 18 points, four rebounds, and 2.5 steals during the regular season--she's tough to stop. [player_tooltip player_id='807283' first='Cecelia' last='Arico'] earned Prep Girls Hoops Sophomore Player of the Year with a monster regular season, averaging 16 points, nine rebounds, 2.5 assists, and two steals per game. Her relentless rebounding and athletic playmaking abilities causes challenges for defenses. [player_tooltip player_id='860239' first='Naiya' last='Krispin'] is a shifty ball handler who sees the floor well and scores at all three levels. [player_tooltip player_id='427209' first='Ari'Yana' last='Wiggins'] rebounds and finishes well inside. This should be a fascinating game to watch. </p>   <p></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 D2 games taking place today, so let's take a closer look at the matchups.