MHSAA Tourney Preview: District 13

The road to the state finals begins on March 2nd. 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 select districts. Let's take a closer look at District 13!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/04/PXL_20240413_144602160-crop-3024x1986-1713064027-crop-640x421-1740714191.jpg?w=639" alt="" class="wp-image-1206559" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='613940' first='Gabby' last='Piepho'], 2026, Howell, [program_tooltip program_id='955650' first='Michigan' last='Drive Express'].</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">District #13-Howell</h2>   PGH Favorite: Howell   Darkhorse: Hartland   Teams: Brighton (7-15), Fenton (14-8), Hartland (14-7), Howell (21-1), Milford (18-4)   Top Prospects: Graclyn Houck, [player_tooltip player_id='1187823' first='Libby' last='Mitz'], [player_tooltip player_id='1259880' first='Quinn' last='Holdridge'], [player_tooltip player_id='735635' first='Anna' last='Minnick'], Brighton; [player_tooltip player_id='927986' first='Madison' last='Eltringham'], [player_tooltip player_id='927983' first='Lucy' last='Weber'], [player_tooltip player_id='1117487' first='Charlei' last='Peabody'], [player_tooltip player_id='1169228' first='Alejandra' last='Ayotte'], Fenton; [player_tooltip player_id='866176' first='Kendall' last='Nokovich'], [player_tooltip player_id='981981' first='Brinley' last='Neuer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1550180' first='Madelyn' last='Jenkins'], Hartland; [player_tooltip player_id='613422' first='Lilly' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='613940' first='Gabby' last='Piepho'], [player_tooltip player_id='938438' first='Lyla' last='Valentine'], [player_tooltip player_id='927978' first='Gabrielle' last='Fischhaber'], Howell; [player_tooltip player_id='919618' first='Ashlyn' last='Lutz'], [player_tooltip player_id='1553267' first='Taylor' last='Vogel'], [player_tooltip player_id='1231102' first='Reagan' last='Heflin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1553269' first='Madison' last='Cornett'], Milford   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/07/PXL_20250628_173224590.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1753138170.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1275494" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='938438' first='Lyla' last='Valentine'], 2028, Howell, [program_tooltip program_id='714462' first='Michigan' last='Premier'], Northwood Team Camp.</figcaption></figure>   Breakdown: Hartland won District 13 in 2025, defeating Howell 43-33 in the title game before a loss against eventual State Champion Belleville in the Regional 4 Finals. What a difference a year makes. After both teams graduated key seniors from their starting lineup, Howell upgraded with a pair of homeschool national champions. Michigan's best forward prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='613422' first='Lilly' last='Williams'], and crafty point guard [player_tooltip player_id='938438' first='Lyla' last='Valentine']. As a result, the Highlanders dominated the KLAA conference, running away with the West Division title at a perfect 14-0 record. They beat every opponent in the West by double-digits and tasted defeat once against the 2025 State Runner Up, Rockford. I don't think anybody outside of their building gave Howell a chance to win heading into Thursday's KLAA Championship Game against 2025 State Champion and #1 ranked Belleville. The Tigers were on a 35-game win streak and featured a starting lineup of four D1 prospects. Unphased, Howell marched into the gym at Northville and snatched the KLAA Championship title. The Highlanders won the game 59-51, handed the Tigers their first loss of the season, and flipped the D1 playoff bracket on its head. Howell is expected to win District 13 and face Belleville for a rematch in the regional semifinals. All the pressure will be on the Tigers to prove their last meeting was a one-off.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/12/PXL_20241207_205836151-crop-3024x1986-1742071100.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1216776" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='981981' first='Brinley' last='Neuer'], 2028, Hartland, [program_tooltip program_id='712670' first='Michigan' last='Storm Elite'].</figcaption></figure>   Hartland has given top 25 teams all they can handle this season, competing well against Flint Powers Catholic and Midland. The Eagles beat a talented Livonia Stevenson 46-38 and will close out their season against Lakeland tonight. Hartland beat Brighton twice and finished tied for second in the KLAA West Division with a 9-5 record. Milford went from middle of the pack at 7-7 last year to 10-2 in the LVC. Their only two defeats in the conference came at the hands of 12-0 South Lyon East by a meager five points. The Mavericks beat Fenton 54-12 in their district matchup a year ago, and they'll face the Tigers for a chance to play in the title game. Fenton was my preseason pick to win the Flint Metro League Stripes. The Tigers went out and took care of business, finishing 9-1 in league play to win the division crown. They have a promising core of young talent on the roster and should be competitive against Milford in the district semifinals. Below are two prospects from each team who have an important role to play on the court.    Gabby poured in 14 points for the Highlanders to help them win the KLAA Conference Championship Game against #1 Belleville. She holds records for consecutive made free throws with 47 as a freshman. Gabby became the first Livingston County Player to put her name in the MHSAA record books with 150 career 3-pointers. She eclipsed the 1,000-point scoring mark this season and is Howell's all-time leading scorer. Gabby is the perfect perimeter player and skilled facilitator to complement their post play.     Miss Basketball Finalists were announced this week, and Lilly wasted no time turning in a performance that could swing votes. She delivered the biggest double-double of the season. Lilly led Howell to a 59-51 win with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks against #1 ranked Belleville in the KLAA Championship Game. She's averaged 17 points, 12 rebounds, and six blocks per game, setting a single-game school record for blocks with 12 and a single-season school record for blocks with more than 70. Lilly is going to be the most dominant player on the court in District 13.     Brin is a KLAA West All-Conference Select honoree, and she's been outstanding for Hartland as a sophomore. She's shined in her role as a go-to scorer and primary ball-handler. Brin is a lethal three-point shooter who can create space in a phonebooth with her shifty crossover dribbles. She's an excellent passer, scrappy defender, and skilled finisher at the rim.     Kendall earned an All-Conference selection and has been a key member of the backcourt once again for Hartland as a junior. She's a clutch three-point shooter, handles the ball with poise, creates space off the dribble, works hard defensively, and sees the floor well.     Ashlyn has had a phenomenal sophomore season for Milford, putting up multiple stat lines of 20 and 30 points. She's extremely shifty and crafty off the dribble. Ashlyn gets to the paint, finishes with finesse in traffic, and has great touch on her floaters. She's lethal from beyond the arc, pressures the ball to cause turnovers on the defensive end, and creates open shots for teammates by drawing help defenders. Ashlyn will be a top guard prospect to watch in District 13.     Taylor makes the little plays that add up to wins for the Mavericks. Her length, quickness, instincts on both ends, and timely playmaking impact games. Taylor hits shots, throws strong passes, creates turnovers on defense, works hard to secure rebounds, and finishes at the rim. She'll be a versatile player from Milford to watch.     Maddy has great instincts on both ends of the court. She attacks hard downhill off the dribble, finishes with excellent body control in the paint, and has a soft floater in her bag. Maddy sinks mid-range pull-ups, distributes the ball effectively to teammates, makes the effort plays, and works hard defensively. She'll be a point guard prospect from Fenton to watch in District 13.     Lucy is a versatile small forward-wing prospect from Fenton, and she's had another productive season for the Tigers. Lucy runs the floor well in transition, keeps her hands active on defense, crashes the glass to secure rebounds, and finishes inside. She protects the rim as a shot blocker and has athletic abilities that will draw attention.     Gracelyn had another productive season for Brighton and earned recognition as KLAA West All-Conference. She has a silky smooth pull-up jumper and puts on a clinic with her fancy footwork, pivoting, and balance. Gracyn is a threat from beyond the arc and distributes passes with great vision. She's active on defense and a committed rebounder. Gracyn will be a guard to watch in District 13.     Anna received All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition and is one of Brighton's best guards. She scorched the nets with five three-pointers at Hartland and will be the Bulldogs' most dangerous perimeter scorer. Anna has a muscular, compact build, and she drives with a burst off the dribble. She anticipates passes on defense to create steals and finishes effectively using either hand. Anna handles the ball well and is a complete player who will have a big impact for Brighton in District 13.

The road to the state finals begins on March 2nd. 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 select districts. Let's take a closer look at District 13!