D2 Regional Finals Previews

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have reached the Sweet 16 of MHSAA playoff basketball—the Regional Finals! The winners of tonight's games move onto the Quarterfinals, needing merely one win to advance to Semi-Final play at the Breslin Center. At this point, it's win or go home, and nobody wants to see their journey come to an end. There are several matchups tonight that I've been waiting to see all season, and I'd like to share a few of the thrilling games happening in D2 tonight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Regional #10-Belding</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Frankenmuth (21-4) vs. Portland (22-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":776599,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Lilly-Thelen-e1696229806330.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-776599" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='502309' first='Lilly' last='Thelen'], 2026, Portland, Always 100.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> These teams clashed on the court in a thrilling season opener that saw Portland defeat Frankenmuth 57-56 on the road (<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2024/12/raiders-fight-for-precious-treasure/">Read More</a>). But a lot has happened since that game. Both teams won their leagues, and the Eagles seemed to find their footing against D2 Regional Finalists Detroit Edison, Goodrich, and Detroit Country Day. They won round three vs. Freeland with a 53-44 victory in the semifinals as [player_tooltip player_id='932742' first='Macy' last='Donovan'] led the way with 15 points; she had 13 points in their first meeting vs. Portland. Senior leaders [player_tooltip player_id='1120586' first='Rosemary' last='Brenner'], [player_tooltip player_id='409313' first='Clare' last='Conzelmann'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1059992' first='Izzy' last='Bernthal'] will also be important for Muth to win this time around, in addition to point guard [player_tooltip player_id='866167' first='Grace' last='Brenner']. Portland faced an athletic Flint Hamady squad that had given teams headaches all year and cruised to an impressive 54-34 win in the semifinals. [player_tooltip player_id='502309' first='Lilly' last='Thelen'], [player_tooltip player_id='860186' first='Summer' last='Stopczynski'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1098292' first='Kayla' last='Weber'] were huge in their first win against Frankenmuth--they'll need senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='660329' first='Paige' last='Spedoske'] and strong forward [player_tooltip player_id='807309' first='Leigha' last='Roberson'] to be at their best as well. This rematch should be spectacular. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Regional #13-Pinckney</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goodrich (22-3) vs. Haslett (22-3)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1214758,"width":"994px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/10/Kayla-Hairston-crop-4800x3152-1741798239.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1214758" style="width:994px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='614704' first='Kayla' last='Hairston'], 2026, Goodrich, Michigan Storm, Northwood Commit</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown: </strong>These teams have shooters, athletes, and playmakers who can put points on the board in a hurry. Goodrich beat Powers Catholic by 16 to win their district and then beat Eaton Rapids by a hearty 25 in the semifinals. Their three losses were all by single digits against Wayne Memorial, A.A. Fa. Gabriel Richard, and Frankenmuth; they're all playing in Regional championships today. The Martians have five starters who can all shoot the ball from downtown, and everyone has mobility to defend. Shifty point guard [player_tooltip player_id='614704' first='Kayla' last='Hairston'], wing [player_tooltip player_id='614706' first='Tanner' last='Schramm'], and guard [player_tooltip player_id='807312' first='Baylor' last='Lauinger'] create their own shots and make scoring a challenge for opponents. Seniors Ella Aegeson and [player_tooltip player_id='613007' first='Ella' last='Place'] can light it up from beyond the arc, while senior [player_tooltip player_id='1002378' first='Lucy' last='Rafferty'] is a productive two-way player. Haslett lost to two Regional Final teams, Rockford and DeWitt, and lost to Parma Western by nine. They earned impressive victories against two Regional Finalists. The Vikings defeated Portland by 21 and Detroit Country Day by 28. Chelsea knocked off Parma Western in Districts, and Haslett battled their way to a hard-fought 56-53 overtime win against the Bulldogs. Their lineup is loaded with versatility. [player_tooltip player_id='502298' first='Christina' last='Dixon'], [player_tooltip player_id='751132' first='Avery' last='Hannah'], [player_tooltip player_id='773894' first='Kaitlyn' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='734944' first='Alexis' last='Turner'], and [player_tooltip player_id='734961' first='Calista' last='Blue'] can all lead the team in scoring on any given night. Everyone can shoot from the perimeter and beat defenders off the dribble to score at the rim. Their quickness and aggressive team defense is a challenge. I expect this to be a war, and I'm excited to see the result. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Regional #14-Tecumseh</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tecumseh (23-1) vs. Ann Arbor Fa. Gabriel Richard (24-1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":870587,"width":"997px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/06/FySVYHwWYAEoMAI-crop-426x280-1710251717.jpg?w=425" alt="" class="wp-image-870587" style="width:997px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='419532' first='Charlotte' last='Miller'], 2025, A.A. Fa. Gabriel Richard, [program_tooltip program_id='713024' first='Michigan' last='Drive Premier'], Ferris State Commit.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> The day of reckoning has arrived. Both teams had this matchup circled in their pre-season calendars, and neither broke a sweat in the districts or semifinals leading up to this point. A year ago, Tecumseh gave the Irish all they could handle in the quarterfinals, but [player_tooltip player_id='423695' first='Cora' last='Williams'] closed out on [player_tooltip player_id='419531' first='Alli' last='Zajac']'s game-tying 3-point attempt to block the shot with 10 seconds to go as the Irish won 50-45. Keep in mind that these teams are the undisputed #1 and #2 ranked teams in D2--this game, for all intents and purposes, is a state-championship caliber matchup. Tecumseh has an advantage this time, hosting the Irish on their home-court. Tecumseh's only loss this season came to Regional Finalist and D1 contender Rockford by six. A.A. Fa. Gabriel Richard also lost once this year. D1 favorite Belleville beat them by one, but the Irish beat Rockford by 12. Both teams have college prospects and highly decorated players. Gabriel Richard has the speed and shooting advantage with [player_tooltip player_id='419532' first='Charlotte' last='Miller'], [player_tooltip player_id='613427' first='Ava' last='Rodriguez'], and [player_tooltip player_id='613426' first='Vanessa' last='Rodriguez']. All three shoot lights out from the perimeter, have the quickness to cut off drives, and create open shots with their passing abilities. [player_tooltip player_id='423695' first='Cora' last='Williams'] and [player_tooltip player_id='420487' first='Saige' last='Edmondson'] are a two-headed rebounding and finishing monster in the paint. They're strong and tough to move off their spots. Tecumseh will match up well inside. They feature sophomore rebounding and post specialist [player_tooltip player_id='807288' first='Addi' last='Zajac'], while Miss Basketball Finalist [player_tooltip player_id='419531' first='Alli' last='Zajac'] gives them an advantage with her versatility to play inside or move to the perimeter and beat forwards with her dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='666667' first='Makayla' last='Schlorf'], [player_tooltip player_id='614714' first='Chloe' last='Bullinger'], and [player_tooltip player_id='420489' first='Ashlyn' last='Moorehead'] will be crucial on both ends to pull off the upset. Ashlyn is an expert facilitator who shoots accurately from the perimeter and has proven she can hit clutch shots for the Indians. Bullinger has been a leader on the offensive end this postseason, and her defensive impact can shut down elite scorers. Schlorf shoots efficiently from the floor and is excellent at getting to the free-throw line. Her energy and defensive effort will be a big factor tonight. Both teams have proven themselves against elite competition all season. Whoever wins has a great opportunity to win it all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->