MHSAA Tourney Preview: District 8

<!-- 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 8!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1567623,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/12/PXL_20251220_234605092-crop-3024x1986-1766381039.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1567623" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1158037' first='Aries' last='Branch'], 2027, East Kentwood, MBA, West Michigan Hoop Summit, Dec. 20th, 2025.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">District #8-Wyoming</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PGH Favorite:</strong> East Kentwood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darkhorse:</strong> Wyoming</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teams:</strong> Byron Center (10-11), Caledonia (12-7), East Kentwood (8-9), Grand Rapids Ottawa Hills (0-21), Middleville Thornapple Kellogg (12-8), Wyoming (14-7)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospects: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='734928' first='Madisyn' last='Meissner'], [player_tooltip player_id='1158142' first='Raya' last='Kooiker'], [player_tooltip player_id='1257299' first='Delaney' last='Hinkle'], Byron Center; [player_tooltip player_id='1227404' first='Myla' last='Gortmaker'], [player_tooltip player_id='1158087' first='Emily' last='Stauffer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1249509' first='Brooklyn' last='McLeod'], [player_tooltip player_id='1250254' first='Reese' last='Abbott'], Caledonia; [player_tooltip player_id='1309264' first='Kaelyn' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='807910' first='Jazanaye' last='Silva'], [player_tooltip player_id='866016' first='Sophie' last='Cobb'], [player_tooltip player_id='808342' first='Makya' last='Buggs'], [player_tooltip player_id='1158037' first='Aries' last='Branch'], [player_tooltip player_id='1280089' first='Saamyia' last='Banks'], [player_tooltip player_id='1002368' first='Nevaeh' last='Eubanks'], Abak Lual, East Kentwood; [player_tooltip player_id='1754063' first='Amyah' last='Smith-Flowers'], India Hollis, Ottawa Hills; [player_tooltip player_id='898814' first='Reece' last='Ritsema'], [player_tooltip player_id='1036775' first='Taylor' last='Lloyd'], [player_tooltip player_id='1249690' first='Kathleen' last='Kaboos'], Thornapple Kellogg; [player_tooltip player_id='1037474' first='Tamia' last='Gayles'], [player_tooltip player_id='886494' first='Michaela' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='735329' first='Myah' last='Nabors'], [player_tooltip player_id='888781' first='Paityn' last='Bauman']; Wyoming</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1311173,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/09/PXL_20250830_172452954.MP_-crop-2968x1949-1756832774.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1311173" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1309264' first='Kaelyn' last='Wilson'], 2029, East Kentwood, PGH Freshman Showcase.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakdown: </strong>This district feels too close to call, but taking the 2025 results into account, I've decided to give East Kentwood a slight edge. The Falcons defeated Ottawa Hills, Wyoming, and Caledonia in the playoffs to win the district last year. Four teams in District 8 have 10 wins, and there have been several regular-season matchups between them. East Kentwood defeated Byron Center 56-44 in the opener and finished fourth in the O.K. Conference Red Division at 4-6. Wyoming edged out Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg 45-41 and 50-45 during the regular season, finishing third in the O.K. Conference Gold Division with a 7-5 record. Competing in the same division, Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg finished fourth at 6-6, defeating Caledonia in a narrow 54-51 victory. With wins against Grand Rapids West Catholic and Wayland, Thornapple-Kellogg will be a tough out. Caledonia and Byron Center tied for second place in the O.K. Conference Green Division with a 6-6 record. In head-to-head matchups, Byron Center defeated Caledonia 52-40 and 42-36. Ottawa Hills finished last in the O.K. Conference White Division at 0-12 and will attempt to upset Byron Center in the first round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1311284,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/09/pghfs25-tp-mi-saamyia_banks-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1311284" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1280089' first='Saamyia' last='Banks'], 2029, East Kentwood, UTS, Freshman Showcase, Aug. 30th, 2025.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After seeing the Falcons push Grass Lake to their limits (#2 D3 team in the state), I'm a believer. East Kentwood doesn't have a flashy record, but seven of those losses were against ranked opponents. The Falcons will end the season having played 18 games. Whether that ends up being an advantage or disadvantage is to be determined. East Kentwood features a young, scrappy, athletic, and defensive-minded group that's capable of matching up at every position defensively. their speed causes challenges for opponents. Forwards [player_tooltip player_id='807910' first='Jazanaye' last='Silva'] and Abak Lual are long, mobile, aggressive, and persistent on the boards. They make high-percentage scoring opportunities hard to come by, clean up around the basket, and provide a relentless presence in the paint. [player_tooltip player_id='1280089' first='Saamyia' last='Banks'] is an effective facilitator, lockdown defender, and key three-point shooter who creates space off the dribble. [player_tooltip player_id='1002368' first='Nevaeh' last='Eubanks'] has the versatility to slash from the perimeter to the rim, finishes with strength in traffic, rebounds, and can defend multiple positions. [player_tooltip player_id='1158037' first='Aries' last='Branch'] is explosive off the dribble, scores through contact, sets up teammates, has the ball on a string, sets the tone defensively, rebounds, and makes the effort plays. [player_tooltip player_id='808342' first='Makya' last='Buggs'] and [player_tooltip player_id='866016' first='Sophie' last='Cobb'] are two guards who drive with purpose to the basket. [player_tooltip player_id='1309264' first='Kaelyn' last='Wilson'] is an athletic and skilled guard whose defensive performance against Grass Lake earned notice. She can hit open shots on the perimeter, drive with a burst to the rim, and finish through contact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1320754,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/09/PXL_20250927_161303930-crop-3024x1986-1759156583.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1320754" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1037474' first='Tamia' last='Gayles'], 2026, Wyoming, BNB, PGH Expo.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wyoming will host and look to win the district title. Based on their record, home court advantage, talent, and quality wins/losses, I certainly see a case for them being considered the favorite. Wyoming comes into the playoffs following a narrow 46-51 loss to Grand Rapids Covenant Christian (#6 in D2). They challenged undefeated Grand Rapids South Christian in January, losing 62-70. The Wolves are no strangers to beating good teams, defeating Hudsonville 54-51 and Wayland Union 58-46. They are a senior-led group featuring three guards who are top 130 prospects in the 2026 class. All three are averaging more than 13 points per game this season. [player_tooltip player_id='735329' first='Myah' last='Nabors'] is an athletic and compact guard who can knock down the open three, penetrate with explosiveness, create separation using a variety of crossover combinations, finish through contact off two feet, and facilitate. She generates steals with her quick hands and feet on the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id='886494' first='Michaela' last='Moore'] is a weapon from beyond the arc and will be Wyoming's most dangerous three-point shooter. She's athletic, active on the defensive end, finishes well at the rim, and distributes the basketball to open teammates. [player_tooltip player_id='1037474' first='Tamia' last='Gayles'] has been the most productive player for the Wolves this season, leading the team in points, rebounds, and steals. Averaging seven rebounds as a point guard is unheard of, but that's exactly what Tamia has done. She's an aggressive defender with extreme quickness that makes her a headache for opposing ball-handlers. Tamia crashes the boards, drives through gaps with a burst, scores in traffic, and makes crisp passes. 6-foot shot-blocker [player_tooltip player_id='888781' first='Paityn' last='Bauman'] will be an important interior player for the Wolves to unseat East Kentwood and secure the District 8 title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1234390,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/09/PXL_20240928_151839107-crop-3024x1986-1744844425.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1234390" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='898814' first='Reece' last='Ritsema'], 2027, Thornapple Kellogg, MBA UA Rise, PGH Expo.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Final Thoughts:</strong> After an All-Showcase First Team performance at the PGH Expo, Reece has been outstanding for Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg again as a junior. She's a double-double machine and makes a complete impact on the court. Teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1036775' first='Taylor' last='Lloyd'] can light it up from downtown, has shifty handles, and is a scrappy defender. Caledonia features a skilled trio in the backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='1227404' first='Myla' last='Gortmaker'], [player_tooltip player_id='1249509' first='Brooklyn' last='McLeod'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1250254' first='Reese' last='Abbott']. Byron Center has a talented pair of guards with dynamic freshman playmaker [player_tooltip player_id='1257299' first='Delaney' last='Hinkle'] and senior sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='734928' first='Madisyn' last='Meissner']. District 8 will be competitive and full of college prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1251276,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/05/Madisyn-Meissner-crop-3226x2118-1748351078.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1251276" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='734928' first='Madisyn' last='Meissner'], 2026, Byron Center, GR Outkast, PGH Michigan State Tournament.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->