MHSAA D4 State Finals Crystal Ball

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the coming weeks leading up to the 2026 MHSAA State Tournament, I will be previewing select Districts from across the state in each division, putting teams and prospects under the microscope. In the meantime, I'd like to zoom out and survey the entire postseason scene. Some of the top-ranked teams will have an arduous road to the finals, making upsets very possible. We've seen a rise in competition and a narrowing of the talent gap between the leading contenders. Below, I have selected the teams I believe have the best odds of reaching the Division 4 State Finals based on their postseason path and regular-season performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/02/mhsaa-state-finals-crystal-ball-d1-d2/">Read D1 and D2 Postseason Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2026/02/mhsaa-d3-state-finals-crystall-ball/?itm_source=parsely-api">Read D3 Postseason Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">D4-Ishpeming and Gaylord St. Mary</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>State Semifinals Prediction: </strong>Ishpeming, Kingston, Concord, and Gaylord St. Mary</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1247185,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/05/PXL_20250510_140949389-crop-3024x1986-1747325962.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1247185" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='886257' first='Mya' last='Hemmer'], 2026, Ishpeming, [program_tooltip program_id='928192' first='Zero' last='Star Basketball'], Baylor Volleyball Commit, MBA Mother's Day Classic, May 10th, 2025.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After winning the D4 State Championship in March of 2024, Ishpeming moved into Division three for the 2024-25 season. They were defeated by State Semifinalist Calumet 43-51 in the district finals. After a drop in enrollment, Ishpeming was reclassified to Class D for the 2025 season, and they immediately entered as the pre-season favorite. Two top 40 prospects with elite athleticism are the biggest reason why the Hematites have a great chance to make it back to the State Finals. Michigan Tech commit [player_tooltip player_id='884596' first='Jenessa' last='Eagle'] became Ishpeming's all-time leading scorer (boys and girls) this season, after hitting the 1,000 point mark as a junior. Her game-high 27 points (5 3PT) in the finals against Kingston is a performance spectators will never forget. Jenessa has explosive quickness, dynamic scoring ability, aggressive instincts, and is a gritty defender with a knack for causing turnovers. [player_tooltip player_id='886257' first='Mya' last='Hemmer'], a 6'2" Baylor volleyball commit, is one of the most athletic forwards in the state. She has a size, strength, and athletic advantage against every forward in the tournament. Mya outjumps everyone for the ball off the rim and finishes with power in the paint. She has good hands and footwork. Her mobility and shot-blocking instincts make high-percentage shots hard to come by. The Hematites have two losses this season against two of the U.P's leading D2 contenders, Negaunee and Gladstone. They've also beaten Negaunee and Gladstone, adding a 29-point win against Baraga. Ishpeming will have a hard road to the finals. They'll most likely face four top 15 opponents: Norway, Ewen-Trout Creek (2025 state-runner-up), Newberry, and Kingston. Despite the difficult draw, Ishpeming looks like a team ready to make a return to the finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1239790,"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_163020379-crop-3024x1986-1745946205.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-1239790" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='1239719' first='Kaylee' last='Jeffers'], 2026, Gaylord St. Mary, [program_tooltip program_id='1239258' first='HB' last='Elite'].</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gaylord St. Mary has been magnificent this season. The Snowbirds are 17-1, with their only loss a 38-42 defeat to potential D2 dark horse Petoskey. Gaylord St. Mary has statement wins against Harbor Springs and Indian River Inland Lakes. The road will be a difficult one starting in the regional semifinals. Matchups against Buckley, Au Gres-Sims, or Mio, Michigan Lutheran Seminary, and Concord (2025 State Semifinalist) could make every round feel like a heavyweight clash. The Snowbirds feature a dynamic senior duo that will lead them in the postseason. [player_tooltip player_id='1239719' first='Kaylee' last='Jeffers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1266071' first='Payton' last='Glasby'] are both 1,000-point scorers. Both players can penetrate to score off the dribble and bury teams on the scoreboard with their three-point shooting. Jeffers harasses opposing ball-handlers with her perimeter pressure, while Glasby uses her length to swat shots and close passing windows. This looks like their year to make it to the big dance after a regional finals appearance in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->