Girls Basketball District Preview.

Written Saturday February 27th at 4:20 PM

First Round Games: Feb 29^th

Second Round Games: March 2^nd

Finals: March 4^th

District 43 @ Detroit Mumford. CAPS: PROJECTED WINNERS.

FERNDALE vs Detroit Collegiate Prep (5 PM)

Warren Fitzgerald vs DETROIT MUMFORD (7 PM)

Ferndale/Detroit Collegiate Prep vs DETROIT CENTRAL COLLEGIATE (5 PM)

Warren Fitzgerald/DETROIT MUMFORD vs Hazel Park (7 PM)

PROJECTED DISTRICT FINAL: DETROIT MUMFORD VS DETROIT CENTRAL COLLEGIATE.

District Final: 5:30 PM

FAVORITE: Detroit Mumford.

TOP CHALLENGER: Warren Fitzgerald.

DARKHORSE: Hazel Park.
KEY PLAYER: Trinity Benton-Hazel Park.

This district will be interesting, Detroit Mumford is the favorite because they have home court and have played a tougher schedule in the Detroit Public School League. Hazel Park could threaten  because they have a solid player in Trinity Benton and have been a different team when she played. Earlier in the season the Vikings didn't have her because of an injury. Warren Fitzgerald will threaten as the Spartans have had a strong season but they have that tough opening game with the Mustangs to start off the district tournament. Don’t know much about Detroit Central or Detroit Collegiate Prep but they have struggled during the season. Ferndale has some questions especially with what happened against Groves but the Eagles have played better against some Gold teams lately and lost a tough one to Farmington to close out the season. End of the Day though this district will be Detroit Mumford’s to lose.

PICK: Detroit Mumford.

District 23 @ Troy Athens. CAPS: PROJECTED WINNERS.

WARREN MOTT vs Troy Athens (6 PM)

WARREN COUSINO vs Sterling Heights (8 PM)

Warren Mott/Troy Athens vs ROYAL OAK (6 PM)

WARREN COUSINO/Sterling Heights vs Regina (8 PM)

PROJECTED DISTRICT FINAL: WARREN COUSINO VS ROYAL OAK.

District Final: 7 PM

FAVORITE: Warren Cousino

TOP CHALLENGER: Sterling Heights

DARKHORSE: Regina
KEY PLAYER: Kate McArthur-Warren Cousino.

This district features the Patriots of Warren Cousino whom shared the Macomb Area Red crown with Port Huron Northern but the last two seasons were beaten by Sterling Heights in the district playoffs. Odd enough the Stallions and the Patriots will play each other in the first round of the tournament. The Patriots are led by guard Kierra Fletcher whom has been mentioned as a All State candidate and is a future Division One recruit and also top freshman Kate McArthur. A newcomer comes to the party in Regina whom went to the Catholic League semifinals this season. Two of the Saddlelites wins came against Birmingham Marian. Regina will be led by Teresa Diehl but the question for the Saddlelites will be size up front but their guards are talented make up for the difference. Royal Oak is here in this district and will be a tough out for anyone because of their depth and mental defensive toughness. The Ravens are led by Samantha Potter and Giana Valetene, among others. Royal Oak will benefit with being in the White division this season which helped them get ready for the tournament. Troy Athens shared the Gold title with Groves and Berkley is interesting as they could give teams some fits in the district led by Maddie Crumm. The Red Hawks though is an interesting team to keep an eye on. Warren Mott is an interesting team here because they are talented themselves led by their guards Taylor Russell and Mariah Taylor. The Maruarders will be a team to watch as well in the tournament. I see a Ravens vs Patriots District Final here with Warren Cousino overcoming their demons and moving on.

PICK: Warren Cousino.

District 24 @ Southfield. CAPS: PROJECTED WINNERS.

SOUTHFIELD-LATHRUP vs Berkley (7 PM)

SOUTHFIELD vs Oak Park (5:30 PM)

SOUTHFIELD-LATHRUP/Berkley vs Detroit Renaissance (7 PM)

PROJECTED DISTRICT FINAL: SOUTHFIELD VS SOUTHFIELD-LATHRUP.

District Final: 7 PM

FAVORITE: Southfield-Lathrup

TOP CHALLENGER: Detroit Renaissance

DARKHORSE: Southfield
KEY PLAYER: Siyeh Frazer-Detroit Renaissance.

The Chargers are peaking at the right time ever since the loss to Birmingham Detroit Country Day. Lathrup is a State title contending team that should win its district easily because of talented players like Keheandre Bello, Taige Bello, Deja Church, and Antionette Miller, all of them going to Division One Schools but don’t say that to Detroit Renaissance whom is talented led by their Division One recruit in Penn State bound Siyeh Frazer. The Phoenix are coming off a tough loss in the Detroit Public School League Final to Detroit Martin Luther King. Detroit Renaissance won their Operation Friendship Game at Mercy over the host Marlins. The question will be the depth of the Phoenix when they play Lathrup because in the summer league at Oakland, Detroit Renaissance was outmatched by the Chargers. Southfield won the Blue this season and finished 19-1 but their only loss was to Lathrup by 21 points at home. The Blue Jays are very experienced led by Krystal Lynn DeFoe and Stormeigth Mattison, among others. Berkley is shared the Gold crown has won three straight to close out the season led by their top guard Celia Somers but the Bears are not at Lathrup’s league nor is Oak Park despite the fact the Knights had a great league season in the Blue but a tough out of conference stretch. This district though is the Chargers to lose because of their four Division One recruits but if there is a way to beat them it's what Detroit Country Day did to them, get them into foul trouble and make them use their bench.

PICK: Southfield-Lathrup.

District 21 @ West Bloomfield. CAPS: PROJECTED WINNERS.

Farmington vs NORTH FARMINGTON (7 PM)

WEST BLOOMFIELD vs Mercy (5 PM)

North Farmington/Farmington vs HARRISON (7 PM)

PROJECTED DISTRICT FINAL: WEST BLOOMFIELD VS HARRISON.

District Final: 7 PM

FAVORITE: Harrison

TOP CHALLENGER: North Farmington

DARKHORSE: West Bloomfield
KEY PLAYER: Olivia Perkins-Harrison.

This is an interesting district with Farmington coming north from Detroit along with West Bloomfield coming into the district. The Hawks seem to be the early favorite in this district despite the turmoil they had endured. Harrison went through with the dismissal of Coach Allen Walker and have done real well under coach Stefan Wilson. Mercy went to the Catholic League Final where they lost to Birmingham Marian and lost to Detroit Renaissance in the Operation Friendship Game appears to be a different team when healthy. The Marlins has improved and became dangerous despite being down this season in the Catholic League led by Chloe Godbold. West Bloomfield is a much better home team then they are on the road. The Lakers are led by Charlika Stubbs and Taylor Pierce. North Farmington won the White this season is led by Kierra Crockett and Samantha Cherney will be a top contender also in this district. Farmington has improved lately but hasn't fared well all season long. Five teams could win this district but early favorite, got to give it to Harrison, a lot of experience led by Kristen Nelson and Amber Stephens but the key is Olivia Perkins, Nyla Warren, and Teddi Pickens because Nelson and Stephens will get a lot of attention. I think Nelson and Stephens will do their thing but if the three players mentioned above have a big game and they are capable of having one then they could win their second district title.

PICK: Harrison.

District 25 @ Bloomfield Hills. CAPS: PROJECTED WINNERS.

Troy vs SEAHOLM (5:30 PM)

BIRMINGHAM MARIAN vs Bloomfield Hills (7:15 PM)

Troy/SEAHOLM vs Avondale (5:30 PM)

BIRMINGHAM MARIAN/Bloomfield Hills vs Groves (7:15 PM)

PROJECTED DISTRICT FINAL: SEAHOLM VS BIRMINGHAM MARIAN.

District Final (7 PM)

FAVORITE: Birmingham Marian

TOP CHALLENGER: Bloomfield Hills

DARKHORSE: Seaholm
KEY PLAYER: Olivia Moore-Birmingham Marian.

Hard to believe that I thought it would be the host school Bloomfield Hills would be the favorite to win this district but the loss of Amanda Sape whom was injured against Orion will play a huge issue for them along with their home court struggles. Birmingham Marian has something led by Elizabeth Grobbell and Olivia Moore will be a factor in this district despite winning the Catholic League and losing a tough one to Detroit Martin Luther King in Operation Friendship. Seaholm is the dark horse in the district because of Mackenzie Harbort and Dana Hoerman despite having a really bad loss to Berkley. Avondale has Alissa Smith and Addie Saltarreii and have struggled mighty this season. Groves shared the Gold title has Shea Carter whom has emerged as a top player this season. Troy has struggled all season but the Colts have Johanna Layfette whom has been red hot the last few games in her senior season along with Megan Lenihan. This will be a good district to watch, if Sape was back I would go Bloomfield Hills but can’t trust them on their home court, which means the Mustangs will move on despite having a down season.

PICK: Birmingham Marian.

District 30 @ Utica. CAPS: PROJECTED WINNERS.

Rochester vs UTICA (7 PM)

STONEY CREEK vs Utica Eisenhower (5 PM)

Rochester/Utica vs ADAMS (7 PM)

PROJECTED DISTRICT FINAL: STONEY CREEK VS ADAMS.

District Final (7 PM)

FAVORITE: Stoney Creek

TOP CHALLENGER: Utica Eisenhower

DARKHORSE: Adams
KEY PLAYER: Nicole Meyer-Utica Eisenhower.

This district could be one of the toughest district in the State because this is virtually a pick em at the small gym of Utica High School. Stoney Creek and Utica Eisenhower have played at Utica this season with mixed results (The Cougars won, the Ealges lost.) Adams is peaking at the right time after having a strong February with their only loss being to Lathrup. The Highlanders are led by Taylor Smith and Maggie Rogers but Hannah Simard has emerged in the post this season for them. The Cougars have their full team back and when healthy they are very dangerous led by Emma Sobychinki, Ally Voss, Courtney Solek, and Emily Solek. The Eagles and Chieftains have split their two regular season meetings (both teams are co-champs of the Macomb Area White division.) Utica is led by Cierra von Zittwitz and Paige Spinale. Utica Eisenhower is led by Nicole Meyer, Paige Montreuil and Malynn Kosnik. Rochester has struggled with injuries all season and could spoil someone’s season led by Jenna Norgrove and Tori Hawkins. This district is a pick em, it’s anyone’s ball game here.

PICK: Stoney Creek.

District 31 @ Orion. CAPS: PROJECTED WINNERS.

OXFORD vs Waterford Mott (5:30 PM)

CLARKSTON vs Waterford Kettering (7 PM)

CLARKSTON/Waterford Kettering vs Pontiac (5:30 PM)

Oxford/Waterford Mott vs ORION (7 PM)

PROJECTED DISTRICT FINAL: ORION VS CLARKSTON.

District Final: 7 PM

FAVORITE: Waterford Kettering

TOP CHALLENGER: Orion

DARK-HORSE: Clarkston
KEY PLAYER: Evelyn Wischmeyer-Orion

This district is interesting when you look at Waterford Kettering and Waterford Mott are still good teams but have taken some lumps so far this season despite the Captains winning the Kensington Lakes Athletic Association North Division. The Corsairs are led by Liam Hung, Monica Reiche, MiKayla Gean, and Myra Williams. Waterford Kettering are a very experienced team led by Haley Tewes, Emily Bernas, Lila Schoof, and Marnee Holland. Orion has had to overcome internal issues this season and is led by Maddie Novak, Lauren Thorne, and Evelyn Wischmeyer. Oxford has gotten better despite their record led by Abigail Butkewitz, Madeline Morris, and the impact of Monae Evans. Clarkston has had a solid first season under coach Christine Rogers are led by Kayla Luchenbach and Kayla Russell. Pontiac has improved its win total each season since going 0-21 in 2013-2014 and has a solid core of players led by Infinite Rowe. This will be a fun district as five teams have a great shot at winning this district. This would be the district where an upset could happen.

PICK: Orion.

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