2025 Pre-Season State Rankings: Bell's Best D3 Teams 6-10

Four state champions are crowned each year in Michigan (D1, D2, D3, and D4). The state tournament provides thrilling matchups and memorable moments every postseason. Cinderella stories captivate the community, and elite teams separate themselves from the competition. The 2024 pre-season favorite was Grass Lake. On paper, the Warriors appeared to have superior talent that few, if any, D3 could match up with man for man. Niles Brandywine finished the regular season with an undefeated record and made it back to the Breslin, where they met a familiar foe. The Bobcats lost a thriller to Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (29-31) in the semifinals, which resulted in a thought-provoking post-game press conference that sparked a statewide social media soundboard for the age-old debate of whether private schools, charter schools, and public school athletics should compete in separate postseason tournaments. The Gators bested Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest 32-21 to secure a second straight State championship. Every team in the top ten has quality college prospects and depth needed to compete for a title. Depending on the draw, I could see any of these teams making a playoff push to the Breslin Center. Here are my D3 contenders ranked 6-10 heading into the 2025 season.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#6 Cass City</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/06/PXL_20250611_170400140.MP_-crop-3008x1975-1750279939.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1260443" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1260325' first='Karsyn' last='Ignash'], [player_tooltip player_id='1260318' first='Skylar' last='Ignash'], Cass City, Au Sable Shootout, June 11th, 2025.</figcaption></figure>   2024-25 Recap   Record: 21-3, Big Thumb-White champs   Key Players: Shelby Ignash (2025, Texas Tech volleyball), Lexi Champagne (2025, Delta Volleyball), [player_tooltip player_id='1260318' first='Skylar' last='Ignash'], [player_tooltip player_id='1260321' first='Rylee' last='Bliss'], [player_tooltip player_id='1260324' first='Alexis' last='Tamlyn'], and Carla Cortez   2025-26 Breakdown   Cass City is going to be a tough team to beat. They're one of my favorite sleeper teams to make a deep postseason run. The Red Hawks graduated two All-Conference First Team selections: 6-foot 1,000-point scorer and D1 volleyball prospect, Shelby Ignash (Texas Tech), in addition to Lexi Champagne (Delta). However, with two impact freshmen and plenty of depth, Cass City looks like a serious title contender. Freshman Izzy Bennett is deadly from three-point range, has length, and a multidimensional set of skills--she's consistently performed at a high level in front of our scouts in many events leading up to the high school season. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1260325' first='Karsyn' last='Ignash'] is a physical, tall, and skilled forward who will immediately create matchup problems in the paint. [player_tooltip player_id='1260318' first='Skylar' last='Ignash'] has a rare combination of length, speed, relentless motor, and talent that makes her a double-double threat every game. She's a versatile prospect who excels at guard or wing and absolutely blew me away at the Au Sable Shootout during the summer. Skylar earned Second Team All-Conference honors, and I expect her to have a First Team caliber sophomore season. [player_tooltip player_id='1260324' first='Alexis' last='Tamlyn'] also has length and versatility. She's a high motor player who rebounds, defends, and scores from the perimeter or driving to the basket. [player_tooltip player_id='1260321' first='Rylee' last='Bliss'] gives the team a spark with her confidence as a spot-up shooter, and Carla Cortez makes the hustle plays, while adding depth as a ball-handler/defender. The Red Hawks will be a dangerous group to face this winter.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#7 Niles Brandywine</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/09/PXL_20250927_145502703.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1759109271.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1320627" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1219268' first='Lily' last='Gill'], 2027, Niles Brandywine, PGH Expo.</figcaption></figure>   2024-25 Recap   Record: 27-1, Lakeland Conference Champs, State Semifinals Appearance   Key Players: Adeline Gill (2025, Kalamazoo), Miley Young (2025, Lake Michigan), Adelyn Drotoz (2025), Ireland Prenkert (2025), [player_tooltip player_id='1230120' first='Karleigh' last='Byrd'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1219268' first='Lily' last='Gill'].   2025-26 Breakdown   Brandywine hasn't lost a conference game since 2022, and they've made it to the Breslin Center two straight seasons. The Bobcats were runner-up in 2024 and a Semifinalist in 2025, losing to State Champion Ypsilanti Arbor Prep on both occasions (30-33, 29-31). The big question is whether they can make it three straight trips to the State Semifinals. Brandywine graduated some very valuable players from their lineup. Adeline Gill (Kalamazoo College) and Miley Young (Lake Michigan College) contributed mightily on both ends of the court, stepping up in the biggest moments. Adelyn Drotoz and Ireland Prenkert also added depth. [player_tooltip player_id='1230120' first='Karleigh' last='Byrd'] is a gritty, high-motor guard who pressures the ball on defense, distributes the ball to open teammates, and drives hard to the basket for layups. [player_tooltip player_id='1219268' first='Lily' last='Gill'] turned in an all-showcase performance at the PGH Expo. Her lockdown defense, explosive downhill drives, perimeter accuracy, and court vision turned heads. These two guards are going to have a breakout year, and I'm eager to see who else steps into a prominent role for the Bobcats.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#8 Beaverton</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/06/PXL_20250611_181325400.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1750958463.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1263458" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1186331' first='Taryn' last='Roberts'], [player_tooltip player_id='897063' first='Myah' last='Hubble'], [player_tooltip player_id='904057' first='Trinity' last='Danielak'], Beaverton, Au Sable Shootout, June 11th, 2025.</figcaption></figure>   2024-25 Recap   Record: 14-8   Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='897063' first='Myah' last='Hubble'], Trinity Danielek, and Bryar Pollard (2025)   2025-26 Breakdown   Beaverton is going to be a serious contender this season. After seeing them compete at the Au Sable Shootout and Big North Shootout during the summer, it became evident that this team belonged in the top ten. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='897063' first='Myah' last='Hubble'] has a deadly three-point shot, creates open looks for teammates with her dribble, converts tough finishes at the rim, and works hard on the defensive end. Trinity Danielek has length, athleticism, and speed that grab your attention. She flies up the court to score transition points, knocks down jumpers, and disrupts passes with her active hands. [player_tooltip player_id='1186331' first='Taryn' last='Roberts'] was an MVP at the Freshman Showcase. Her skilled footwork, finishing touch in the paint, height, rebounding effort, and confidence will give Beaverton an advantage in the paint. The Beavers are a talented team with great potential, and I'm excited to watch them this winter.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#9 Sanford Meridian</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/06/PXL_20250611_180951895.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1750958986.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1263473" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='896712' first='Kameryn' last='Fillmore'], 2027, Sanford Meridian, [program_tooltip program_id='713450' first='REAL' last='']. </figcaption></figure>   2024-25 Recap   Record: 23-4, Jack Pine Champs, Quarterfinal Appearance   Key Players: Halen McLaughlin (2025, Lake Superior State), [player_tooltip player_id='896712' first='Kameryn' last='Fillmore'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1257641' first='Lily' last='Lafave']   2025-26 Breakdown   Sanford Meridian made a deep playoff run to the quarterfinals behind star senior and 2,000+ point scorer Halen McLaughlin (LSSU): the only player in school history to reach that mark. The Mustangs will have a new identity this season without McLaughlin and six-year head coach Tanner Smith, now head coach at Mid-Michigan. Meridian looked ready for another successful year during the summer, and two of their prospects should be in store for an outstanding season. [player_tooltip player_id='896712' first='Kameryn' last='Fillmore'] is a versatile guard-wing who can light it up from three-point range, finish in traffic, muscle her way into position for offensive rebound put-backs, and drive to the basket. [player_tooltip player_id='1257641' first='Lily' last='Lafave'] competes with a non-stop hustle, drives full speed to the basket, finishes through contact, finds open teammates, and knocks down free throws. She's a shifty ball-handler and talented playmaker who impacts the game in every phase. These two are prospects to keep an eye on this winter, and I expect Meridian to be a tough out again next March.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">#10 Lawton</h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/08/pghfs25-tp-mi-logyn_hill.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1310426" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='980270' first='Logyn' last='Hill'], 2029, Kalamazoo, Macon Academy, Freshman Showcase, Aug. 30th, 2025.</figcaption></figure>   2024-25 Recap   Record: 15-6   Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id='773856' first='McKenzee' last='Terpstra'] (Adrian), [player_tooltip player_id='751133' first='Bailey' last='Allison'], [player_tooltip player_id='751144' first='Halie' last='Bishop'], [player_tooltip player_id='982934' first='Olivia' last='Bowen'], and [player_tooltip player_id='982931' first='Gia' last='Bridges']   2025-26 Breakdown   Lawton is a team with the potential to blow up the bracket next March. [player_tooltip player_id='980270' first='Logyn' last='Hill'] has been one of the most consistently impressive freshman guards at travel tournaments, elite camps, and showcases leading up to the high school season. Her pinpoint three-point accuracy, court vision, advanced ball-handling control, pesky defense, effort, and IQ are off the charts-- she's an all-conference first team and all-state talent. [player_tooltip player_id='773856' first='McKenzee' last='Terpstra'] (Adrian) gets to the rim, makes her presence felt on the defensive end, facilitates, and energizes the team with her toughness. [player_tooltip player_id='751133' first='Bailey' last='Allison'] is a versatile forward with the physicality to score inside, rebound, and drain perimeter jumpers with confidence. Quick and athletic point guard [player_tooltip player_id='751144' first='Halie' last='Bishop'] penetrates gaps with a burst, scores through contact, and harasses opposing ball-handlers with her defensive pressure. [player_tooltip player_id='982934' first='Olivia' last='Bowen'] is a guard who knocks down perimeter jumpers and creates turnovers with her active hands on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='982931' first='Gia' last='Bridges'] finishes with either hand, works hard to secure rebounds, and makes the effort plays. Lawton is a team beaming with confidence heading into the regular season and they'll be tough to beat.

Four state champions are crowned each year in Michigan (D1, D2, D3, and D4). The state tournament provides thrilling matchups and memorable moments every postseason. Cinderella stories captivate the community, and elite teams separate themselves from the competition. The 2024 pre-season favorite was Grass Lake. On paper, the Warriors appeared to have superior talent that few, if any, D3 could match up with man for man. Niles Brandywine finished the regular season with an undefeated record and made it back to the Breslin, where they met a familiar foe. The Bobcats lost a thriller to Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (29-31) in the semifinals, which resulted in a thought-provoking post-game press conference that sparked a statewide social media soundboard for the age-old debate of whether private schools, charter schools, and public school athletics should compete in separate postseason tournaments. The Gators bested Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest 32-21 to secure a second straight State championship. Every team in the top ten has quality college prospects and depth needed to compete for a title. Depending on the draw, I could see any of these teams making a playoff push to the Breslin Center. Here are my D3 contenders ranked 6-10 heading into the 2025 season.