MHSAA Tourney Preview: District 45

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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 45!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":935194,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/PXL_20240626_184819121.MP_-crop-3024x1986-1719776237.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-935194" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='938391' first='Meredith' last='Helmus'], 2027, South Christian, MSU Shootout, 2024. </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">District #45-Grand Rapids South Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Favorite:</strong> Grand Rapids South Christian</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darkhorse:</strong> Wayland Union</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams: </strong>Grand Rapids South Christian (21-0), Wayland Union (13-6), Holland Christian (14-6), Hudsonville Unity Christian (12-9), Wyoming Godwin Heights (5-11), Kentwood Grand River Prep (2-15)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospects:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='919220' first='Sophia' last='Prins'], [player_tooltip player_id='615162' first='Lizzie' last='Wolthuis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1236900' first='Kinley' last='Regnery'], [player_tooltip player_id='938391' first='Meredith' last='Helmus'], [player_tooltip player_id='1122943' first='Abby' last='Prins'], [player_tooltip player_id='1227398' first='Natalie' last='Wolthuis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1249879' first='Avery' last='Lutke'], [player_tooltip player_id='1249738' first='Kenlee' last='Copeland'], [player_tooltip player_id='1292999' first='Isla' last='Ogle'], Grand Rapids South Christian; [player_tooltip player_id='751159' first='Marissa' last='Ainsworth'], [player_tooltip player_id='924012' first='Addison' last='Sikorski'], [player_tooltip player_id='807914' first='Lauren' last='Bultsma'], [player_tooltip player_id='980268' first='Jordan' last='Grevenstuk'], [player_tooltip player_id='1249691' first='Madison' last='Bumhoffer'], Laney Wolfe, Wayland Union; [player_tooltip player_id='1120221' first='Brooklyn' last='Phelps'], Kate Van Appledorn, [player_tooltip player_id='1780918' first='Allison' last='Lamer'], Abby Coxon, Holland Christian; Emily VanDyken, [player_tooltip player_id='1212955' first='Elin' last='Christner'], Addison Pell, Makenna Bareman, Unity Christian; [player_tooltip player_id='982835' first='Makaila' last='Crosby'], Godwin Heights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":908237,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown:</strong> Grand Rapids South Christian defeated Holland Christian 59-50 in the 2025 district finals, and they're the favorites to win the district again. District 45 features three teams that have been ranked inside the top 15 (South Christian, Wayland Union, and Holland Christian), while Unity Christian also has 12 wins. In head-to-head matchups, South Christian defeated Unity Christian 60-50, Holland Christian 57-47, and Wayland twice, 49-27 and 62-47. The Sailors (21-0) won the O.K. Conference Gold Division outright, with a perfect 12-0 record in league play. Wayland Union finished 7-5 in the Gold, losing to South Christian twice and splitting with Thornapple Kellogg, Wyoming, and Grand Rapids West Catholic. Holland Christian won the O.K. Conference Black Division with an 11-1 record, their only loss coming to runner-up Zeeland West. Unity Christian finished fourth in the Black at 12-9, losing twice to Holland Christian, while splitting wins with Zeeland West and Spring Lake. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1188151,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/02/PXL_20250208_182033855-crop-3024x1986-1739290240.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1188151" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1236900' first='Kinley' last='Regnery'], 2029, South Christian, MBA GUAA.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grand Rapids South Christian is the top-ranked D2 team heading into the postseason for good reason. Despite a challenging schedule, they remain undefeated. The Sailors have defeated five ranked opponents this season, including Wayland, Holland Christian, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, Grand Rapids West Catholic, and DeWitt. Their elite skill and depth across the board are why I think they'll make it out of this daunting district and reach the State Finals. South Christian has two top 25-ranked senior guards in [player_tooltip player_id='615162' first='Lizzie' last='Wolthuis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='919220' first='Sophia' last='Prins']. Sophia slashes to the rim, can bury shots from the perimeter, facilitate, push the tempo, and lock up opposing guards on the defensive end. Lizzie is one of the most lethal shooters and perimeter threats in the state, hitting six triples against Thornapple Kellogg and Grand Rapids Union. [player_tooltip player_id='1236900' first='Kinley' last='Regnery'] is a top prospect in her class, and she caught fire against Forest Hills Central, draining six threes. Her length, poised ball-handling, shooting ability, defensive impact, and passing vision will be crucial to making a deep run. [player_tooltip player_id='1249879' first='Avery' last='Lutke'] gives the Sailors a 6-foot force in the paint, while talented guards [player_tooltip player_id='938391' first='Meredith' last='Helmus'], [player_tooltip player_id='1227403' first='Lexi' last='Vermaas'], [player_tooltip player_id='1249738' first='Kenlee' last='Copeland'], [player_tooltip player_id='1122943' first='Abby' last='Prins'], [player_tooltip player_id='615162' first='Lizzie' last='Wolthuis'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1292999' first='Isla' last='Ogle'] are all make a multidimensional impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":731486,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/07/IMG_4862.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-731486" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='751159' first='Marissa' last='Ainsworth'], 2027, Wayland Union, MBA UA-Rise. </figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wayland Union (13-6) might have the best chance to beat South Christian, assuming they can take care of business against Holland Christian in the semifinals. The Wildcats defeated Holland Christian 51-44 in December and recently took down #7 Grand Rapids West Catholic 60-57. [player_tooltip player_id='751159' first='Marissa' last='Ainsworth'] is a point guard to pay attention to. She's been coming on strong for the Wildcats, dropping a season-high 30 points against West Catholic. Marissa slashes to the rim, works hard to pressure opposing ball-handlers, facilitates the offense effectively, and buries perimeter shots. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='924012' first='Addison' last='Sikorski'] is a double-double threat every night. She uses her length and strength to block shots, rebound, and finish effectively around the basket. Two freshmen are going to be a dynamic duo for years to come. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='980268' first='Jordan' last='Grevenstuk'] has a smooth stroke from beyond the arc, swipes the ball away with her quick hands, pushes the pace in transition, and finishes well at the rim. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1249691' first='Madison' last='Bumhoffer'] has all the skills of a true point guard. She's excelled in her role as a distributor and defensive stopper. Laney Wolfe has a dynamic presence on the court. She's competitive and scrappy on the defensive end, leading to many steals. Laney scores off the dribble and sinks perimeter jumpers. Wayland Union has a chance to blow up the bracket predictions if they can win the district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1781122,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2026/02/174-crop-3072x2018-1772038844.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1781122" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Kate Van Appledorn, [player_tooltip player_id='1120221' first='Brooklyn' last='Phelps'], Holland Christian, photo by Midwest Recruiting.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Thoughts:</strong> Don't be surprised if Holland Christian makes it back to the district finals. They've proven their ability to compete against tough teams. The Maroons made South Christian sweat in a 47-57 loss, were competitive against a solid Grand Rapids Catholic Central team, losing 46-56, and lost by nine to undefeated Grand Rapids Covenant Christian. Holland Christian beat Unity Christian twice, Grandville Calvin Christian 46-43, and Spring Lake 38-34. Their senior core is a strength, with point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1120221' first='Brooklyn' last='Phelps'] leading the charge. She's a skilled scorer and facilitator with three-point range. Kate Van Appledorn has length that will be difficult to match. She protects the paint, secures rebounds, and finishes with good touch around the basket. Abby Coxon can fill it up from beyond the arc, and [player_tooltip player_id='1780918' first='Allison' last='Lamer'] is a long/versatile forward who creates steals and scores for the Maroons. Unity Christian should be a tough out--they've been competitive all season. Emily VanDyken is a 6-foot rim protector who gets to the foul line and cleans up around the basket. [player_tooltip player_id='1212955' first='Elin' last='Christner'] and Addison Pell are perimeter threats who can attack off the dribble. Scrappy guard [player_tooltip player_id='982835' first='Makaila' last='Crosby'], pressures the ball to create steals, drives hard to the basket, facilitates, and shoots confidently from three-point range. She'll be a prospect to watch from Godwin Heights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1239190,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/04/PXL_20250426_134856068-crop-3024x1986-1745863894.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1239190" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='982835' first='Makaila' last='Crosby'], 2026, Godwin Heights, [program_tooltip program_id='1226083' first='West' last='Michigan Drive'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->