Photo courtesy of Miles Postema
After several exciting District Finals on Friday, the MHSAA Girls Basketball playoffs move along to the regional rounds this week. On Monday, the semifinals will kick the action off, and it will be followed on Wednesday by the trophy round. A quick preview of the local regionals can be found below:
DIVISION 1 REGION 1 at CADILLAC
Traverse City Central (18-5) vs Midland Dow (21-3)
Rockford (23-1) vs Saginaw Heritage (14-10)
The defending State Champions return to the Regional rounds again this season. In district play last week, Rockford started with a 52-42 victory against Muskegon. They cruised past Mona Shores in the district finals, 69-27. Anna Wypych outscored the Sailors by herself, with a game-high 34 points. Jordan Mateer added 16 for the victors. Saginaw Heritage, the Rams’ opponent in the regional semifinals, faced a tough challenge in their district final game. The Raiders and Hawks went down to the wire, with Heritage securing a 40-37 victory.
DIVISION 1 REGION 2 at HUDSONVILLE
Lowell (18-6) vs Byron Center (20-4)
Kenowa Hills (18-6) vs West Ottawa (18-6)
The Division 1 Region 2 regional is one of the most wide-open local regionals in recent memory. Each of these teams has the potential to win two games and earn their school some hardware. In the first semifinal, we have an OK White conference rematch. Byron Center swept the season series with a pair of wins, 50-42 and 47-40. Lowell, will look to reverse that trend by leaning into the momentum they have with eight straight victories. The second semifinal is also a rematch of a regular season contest. In December, West Ottawa took down the Knights 51-35. Kenowa Hills is also out for revenge, with victories in their last six contests.
DIVISION 2 REGION 11 at SPARTA
West Catholic (23-1) vs Unity Christian (15-9)
Fremont (19-5) vs Spring Lake (17-6)
In the Sparta regional, we have an OK Blue rematch in the first semifinal. The 23-1 Falcons defeated the ‘Saders twice in the regular season, 73-52 and 57-37. In order for Unity to reverse its fortunes against a league foe, they will look to Maleya Obande to lead the charge. The senior guard has been attracting college attention with her ability to score the basketball. Obande will battle against West Catholic’s own dynamic guards of Elisha Dykstra and Reese Polega (IPFW commit). The second semifinal features Spring Lake and Fremont. These two clubs met in the season opener, a game that Spring Lake won 54-32. If the Lakers repeat that performance, they will get another rematch in the title game. Spring Lake swept Unity Christian but was defeated twice by West Catholic in league play.
DIVISION 2 REGION 12 at HOPKINS
South Christian (14-10) vs Otsego (14-9)
Vicksburg (20-2) vs Stevensville Lakeshore (19-4)
South Christian enters the regional tournament after a dramatic double overtime victory against Holland Christian. That 78-67 victory comes after a ten-point win against Wayland in the district semifinals. They will take on an Otsego club that faced little resistance against Plainwell or South Haven in their district contests. In the other semifinal, the Vicksburg Bulldogs enter the regional finals with eleven straight victories. One of those wins was a 46-32 victory over their regional semifinal opponent, the Lakeshore Lancers. Stevensville faced little resistance in their district title run, defeating Edwardsburg by ten in the title game. Should Vicksburg face Otsego, they swept the Bulldogs in a pair of regular season meetings.
DIVISION 3 REGION 19 at COVENANT CHRISTIAN
Pewamo Westphalia (16-8) vs Covenant Christian (17-5)
Northpointe Christian (20-4) vs Holton (15-9)
DIVISION 4 REGION 29 at FOWLER
Gobles (17-5) vs Battle Creek St Phillip (10-13)
Fowler (21-3) vs Muskegon Catholic Central (10-12)
The Gobles Tigers captured their third district championship in four seasons with a 46-33 victory over Martin. Coach Barber’s Tigers once again relied on their team-centered attack with only one player in double figures. Throughout the season, they have had different girls stepping up when their number is called, answering the bell to capture another trophy. They now face a St. Phillip team that stunned Climax-Scotts in a 41-36 district title upset. Should Gobles advance, they may face host Fowler, who has been one of the state’s most consistent programs the past five seasons.
