Written Monday June 8th at 3:00 PM
Here are the girls basketball districts for 2027. This will be updated often.
District 20 @ Detroit Martin Luther King
HARPER WOODS
Detroit Martin Luther King
Detroit Cass Tech
Hamtramck
Grosse Pointe North
Grosse Pointe South
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Detroit Cass Tech, 2. Grosse Pointe South, 3. Grosse Pointe North, 4. Detroit Martin Luther King, 5. Harper Woods, 6. Hamtramck.
TOP PLAYER: Natasha Shell- Detroit Cass Tech
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Dallas Harris- Detroit Cass Tech
WILDCARD: Ciara Pongratz- Grosse Pointe South
FAVORITE: Detroit Cass Tech
PRONE TO BE UPSET: Grosse Pointe South
MOST DANGEROUS: Grosse Pointe North
FIRST THOUGHTS: I would have never thought that I would write about my good friend Coach AntJuan Simpkins and Detroit Cass Tech, but he has done a great job with the Technicians, and they are one of the favorites in this district. Grosse Pointe North and Grosse Pointe South should be in the conversation. Detroit Martin Luther King has the history and reputation. This will be a very difficult district for Coach LaToya Tate and Harper Woods going from Division Two to Division One with the majority of these schools are much tougher and more battle tested. This should be a very interesting district to say the least.
EARLY MPR EXPLANATION: It's clear in this district that Detroit Cass Tech has the top seed because of their experience. I wasn't so sure about the two through four seeds but went with Grosse Pointe South followed by Grosse Pointe North and then Detroit Martin Luther King. Harper Woods is clearly the five seed while Hamtramck is the sixth seed. It would be very a very interesting first round matchup between Harper Woods and Detroit Martin Luther King with the winner possibly facing Detroit Cass Tech in the district semifinals along with a possible battle of Grosse Pointe on the other side of the bracket. That would be very interesting to say the least.
District 23 @ Berkley
BERKLEY
OAK PARK
SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH
Detroit Renaissance
Detroit Mumford
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Detroit Renaissance, 2. Detroit Mumford, 3. Berkley, 4. Southfield Arts and Tech, 5. Oak Park.
TOP PLAYER: Zahra Richardson- Detroit Renaissance
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Nicqo Shoulders- Berkley
WILDCARD: Jayla Adams- Detroit Renaissance
FAVORITE: Detroit Renaissance
PRONE TO BE UPSET: Detroit Mumford
MOST DANGEROUS: Berkley
FIRST THOUGHTS: This district is the same as last season however it has the makings of a mismatch in what should be a competitive district. Detroit Renaissance went to the Division One State title game falling to Muskegon last season. The Phoenix is the likely favorite in the Detroit Public School League and in this district. They are well coached under Coach Deshawn Wood, and they have proven talent and proven experience. Berkley should be improved after having a really tough year last season for Coach Clay Shaver. Detroit Mumford is always talented and are more than capable to make another run to the district finals if things go right. Southfield Arts and Tech are a sleeper to watch in this district. The Warriors have a ton of proven experience coming back for Coach Shaquita Coltrane. Oak Park is going to have it rough despite having more experience for Coach Tyler Washington. Until otherwise this is the Phoenix district to lose.
EARLY MPR EXPLANATION: The MPR looks like this is Detroit Renaissance's district to lose. It's clear the Phoenix are the top seed with the experience they have coming back. It was really tight between Detroit Mumford, Berkley, and Southfield Arts and Tech but thought the Mustangs would get the nod over the Bears and Warriors. Oak Park is clearly the five seed in this district. As mentioned in the first thoughts this is the Phoenix district to lose.
District 24 @ Birmingham Marian
GROVES
SEAHOLM
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Birmingham Marian
North Farmington
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Groves, 2. Bloomfield Hills, 3. North Farmington, 4. Seaholm, 5. Birmingham Marian.
TOP PLAYER: Harlem Simpson- Groves
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Lucy Nemith- North Farmington
WILDCARD: Mallory Killian- Groves
FAVORITE: Groves
PRONE TO BE UPSET: North Farmington
MOST DANGEROUS: Bloomfield Hills
FIRST THOUGHTS: This is the same district as last season which was in Bloomfield Hills, but it will be at legendary Mary Cicerone Court at Birmingham Marian. Groves won their first district in four years (61-46 over Bloomfield Hills,) and they could repeat this season however they want more after falling 80-65 to Wayne Memorial in the regional semifinals last season The Falcons have two proven players that are coming back and are well coached under first year Coach Joya Purmeyer. North Farmington should be very competitive in their first year in the Lakes Valley Conference for Coach Michael Allin. Bloomfield Hills has experience with four starters coming back but can they take the next step for Coach Renardo Brown. Seaholm should be competitive despite having some questions for Coach Chris Manchester. We don't know what to expect with Birmingham Marian despite having home court after having a rough year last season. Groves has a chance to make more history, but can they have a deep postseason run remains to be seen???
EARLY MPR EXPLANATION: Groves should be the top seed with the talent they have coming back. Bloomfield Hills and North Farmington would be a very interesting battle for the second seed. I thought with the Black Hawks strength of schedule that they should be the two seed while the Raiders the three seed. Seaholm should be the four seed. Birmingham Marian despite playing in the Catholic League looks locked to be the five seed. As mentioned in the first thoughts, this district is Groves to lose.
District 28 @ Royal Oak
ROYAL OAK
TROY
TROY ATHENS
Warren Cousino
Warren Mott
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Troy Athens, 2. Troy, 3. Royal Oak, 4. Warren Cousino, 5. Warren Mott.
TOP PLAYER: Kaitlyn Piggott- Troy Athens
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Maci Zeiter- Troy
WILDCARD: Dimyah Jackson- Royal Oak
FAVORITE: Troy Athens
PRONE TO BE UPSET: Troy
MOST DANGEROUS: Royal Oak
FIRST THOUGHTS: This is the same district as last season which was in Warren (Mott) but it's at Royal Oak this season. Troy Athens won this district (50-41 over Troy) which was their first since 2002 before falling 54-33 to New Baltimore Anchor Bay in the regional semifinals. The Red Hawks have a new coach in Brittany Brennan who has taken over the program. Troy has the best player in the district, but it seems that they have the most pressure for Coach Laura Guzman. Royal Oak is Royal Oak. The Ravens have home court and is very dangerous under Coach Brian Sopota. Warren Cousino took a step back last season but should be better under former Ferndale University Coach Bennie Szczepkowski. Warren Mott has been competitive but struggled winning seven games last season. The Marauders should be much improved for Coach Maria Vultaggo. This district should be competitive again like it was last season.
EARLY MPR EXPLANATION: When looking at this district I felt Troy Athens has one of the best players in the game along with a new coach. I think with Coach Brittany Brennan coaching the program, she will get the best out of her players which is why I have the Red Hawks as the top seed in the district. Troy has a good team coming back and they have a very talented player however there are still some questions which is why they are the two seed. Royal Oak is still Royal Oak, and they should be the three seed. Warren Cousino is locked as the four seed. Warren Mott looks locked as the fifth seed. Overall, this is very familiar based on seeding from last season.
District 29 @ Utica
ROCHESTER
STONEY CREEK
Utica
Romeo
Utica Eisenhower
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Utica Eisenhower, 2. Romeo, 3. Stoney Creek, 4. Rochester, 5. Utica.
TOP PLAYER: Mackenzie Turner- Utica Eisenhower
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Sam Fulkerson- Stoney Creek
WILDCARD: Layla Babich- Romeo
FAVORITE: Utica Eisenhower
PRONE TO BE UPSET: Stoney Creek
MOST DANGEROUS: Romeo
FIRST THOUGHTS: This is the same district from last season which it was at Utica Eisenhower, it's at Utica this season. Utica Eisenhower won the district (44-34 over Stoney Creek) and went to the Final Four falling to Muskegon last season. The Eagles should be one of the favorites in the Macomb Area Conference. They have the majority of their team coming back for former Royal Oak assistant coach Madison Ristovski. Stoney Creek had a ton of changes this offseason. They have a new coach in Anne Hetzel taking over the program. The Cougars will have a new system where they could experience a transition period which has to happen during the season. Stoney Creek won the Red and with all the distractions they had last season. Romeo should be in the conversation with a ton of proven experience coming back for Coach Ron LeBlanc. Rochester should be competitive despite losing some key players for Coach Andrew Toppie. Utica could struggle again and they have a new coach along with home court. This looks like this is the Eagles district to lose.
EARLY MPR EXPLANATION: This is a very interesting district as mentioned. Utica Eisenhower has experience and a tough schedule which is why I have them as the top seed in their district. Romeo has a very talented player coming back and I have concerns surrounding Stoney Creek with their transition period they have to go through which is why the Bulldogs are the two seed and the Cougars are the three seed. Rochester is locked into the four seed, and Utica is locked into the five seed. This should be a very interesting district, and the seeds are explained thoroughly.
District 30 @ Adams
ADAMS
LAKE ORION
CLARKSTON
AVONDALE
WATERFORD
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Clarkston, 2. Avondale, 3. Lake Orion, 4. Waterford, 5. Adams.
TOP PLAYER: Brooklyn Covert- Clarkston
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Kara Veeder- Lake Orion
WILDCARD: Sasha McClendan- Avondale
FAVORITE: Clarkston
PRONE TO BE UPSET: Avondale
MOST DANGEROUS: Lake Orion
FIRST THOUGHTS: This is the same district as last season when Clarkston won the district at Lake Orion but this season it's at Rochester. It's very possible that there could be three division champions that are in this district. Avondale has everyone coming back including their star three headed monster but there are program strength concerns that surround Coach Roy Christmon's program. Lake Orion has a new coach in Dan Steakley but there are some questions despite having experience coming back along with a strong eighth grade class coming into the program. Waterford should be much improved and have a strong eighth grade class coming in for Coach Andrew Wellman. Adams lost a lot of experience after upsetting Lake Orion (53-34) in the district semifinals and getting to the district finals, but they are in a much better place under second year coach Justin Howard. Clarkston has a ton of experience along with a strong eighth grade class coming in for Coach Aaron Goodnough. This district looks like this is the Wolves district to lose.
EARLY MPR EXPLANATION: This should be very interesting to explain. Clarkston should be the top seed based on their schedule and who they have coming back. Avondale was the five seed in the district last season but with their full roster coming back, the Yellow Jackets should be the two seed. Also, the schedule helps them. Lake Orion is in a very interesting spot. The schedule is not as strong as in years past and they have had an interesting offseason which had a coaching change. The Dragons are more than capable of getting the two seed but because of Avondale's non-conference schedule went with the Yellow Jackets as the two seed and the Dragons the three seed. Waterford has a ton of experience coming back and could make a run at the three seed but felt the four seed is best and they play Lake Orion in the regular season. Adams lost a ton of experience, should be competitive, and have home court. I have them as the five seed because of the experience they lost from last season. As mentioned, this is Clarkston's district to lose.
District 31 @ West Bloomfield
WEST BLOOMFIELD
Orchard Lake St. Marys
Walled Lake Northern
Walled Lake Central
Lakeland
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Orchard Lake St. Marys, 2. West Bloomfield, 3. Walled Lake Northern, 4. Lakeland, 5. Walled Lake Central.
TOP PLAYER: Allie Crighton- Orchard Lake St. Marys
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Iyana Davis- West Bloomfield
WILDCARD: Mackenzie Perkins- West Bloomfield
FAVORITE: Orchard Lake St. Marys
PRONE TO BE UPSET: West Bloomfield
MOST DANGEROUS: Walled Lake Northern
FIRST THOUGHTS: West Bloomfield has been a proven State power winning multiple State crowns and having deep postseason runs however the Lakers had an early exit falling 48-45 to Lakeland in the district semifinals last season. There has to be motivation for the Lakers and Coach Darrin McAllister. Orchard Lake St. Marys is still the favorite in the district with the experience that Coach Brad Crighton has coming back. Lakeland and Walled Lake Northern should be in the mix especially Walled Lake Northern. This should be an interesting district.
EARLY MPR EXPLANATION: Orchard Lake St. Marys should be the top seed in this district with the experience they have coming back. West Bloomfield should have a say with the tough non-conference slate they play. Walled Lake Northern and Lakeland should battle for the three and four seeds while Walled Lake Central is locked for the five seed. I felt Walled Lake Northern should be the three seed but Lakeland is more than capable and whoever gets the four seed has to play on that Monday. The top two teams are clearly the Eaglets and Lakers but the Knights and Eagles are more than capable for upsets like when Lakeland upset West Bloomfield last season. This should be a very interesting district to say the least.
District 32 @ Lapeer
OXFORD
Davison
Grand Blanc
Lapeer
Holly
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Davison, 2. Oxford, 3. Grand Blanc, 4. Lapeer, 5. Holly.
TOP PLAYER: Nia Wilson- Davison
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Isabella Lopez- Grand Blanc
WILDCARD: Brody Elling- Oxford
FAVORITE: Davison
PRONE TO BE UPSET: Oxford
MOST DANGEROUS: Grand Blanc
FIRST THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district despite being the same but this year the district moves to Genesee County. Davison won the district at Oxford (48-29 over Oxford) and went to the regional semifinals where they took Clarkston to the limit before falling 60-50 on their home floor last season. The Cardinals have home court along with a ton of proven experience coming back for Coach Lauhanna McMahon. Oxford has a ton of proven experience but there are program strength concerns for Coach Trevor Marshall. Grand Blanc should be much improved after going through a very tough transition period for second year coach Sylvester Liggins. Lapeer is very interesting with a lot of young talent along with a proven coach in former Bloomfield Hills Lahser and Lake Orion Coach Bob Brydges. Holly could struggle in this district. This looks like this is the Cardinals district to lose having home court, but four teams might have a shot at this district if Davison is not careful. Grand Blanc and Davison are in their final seasons in the Saginaw Valley League before they head to the OAA next season.
EARLY MPR EXPLANTION: There has been a ton of movement surrounding this district. Davison looks locked for the top seed because of who they have coming back and home court. Holly is locked as the five seed but two through four was really tough to figure out. Oxford is going to be in the Red and has the majority of their team coming back. Grand Blanc should be much improved after what happened to them last season. Lapeer has a new coach in Bob Brydges who is an instant game changer. I felt that the Wildcats experience at the guards along with the arrival of Elling is just enough to keep them at the two seed while the Bobcats have their fair share of experience coming back is the three seed. The Lightning lost a ton of experience from last season but with Brydges at the helm he makes them a player. I felt Grand Blanc's size and experience keeps them the three seed and the Lighting as the four seed but anything is possible in this district.
District 58 @ Detroit Henry Ford
FERNDALE
FERNDALE UNIVERSITY
Detroit Communication Media Arts
Detroit Henry Ford
Hazel Park
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Detroit Henry Ford, 2. Ferndale University, 3. Hazel Park, 4. Ferndale, 5. Detroit Communication Media Arts.
TOP PLAYER: Aria Matthews- Ferndale University
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Nakoda Henderson- Hazel Park
WILDCARD: Angel Jones- Ferndale
FAVORITE: Detroit Henry Ford
PRONE TO BE UPSET: Ferndale University
MOST DANGEROUS: Hazel Park
FIRST THOUGHTS: This is not a very strong district on paper. Detroit Henry Ford, Hazel Park, and Ferndale University could have strong says. The Vikings have proven experience. Detroit Henry Ford has home court and is well coached. Ferndale University might the most dangerous team in this district. The Eagles have a ton of experience coming back for Coach Brian Pinkett. Ferndale is a sleeper that could make some noise. The Eagles should be much improved and have a ton of proven experience coming back for second year Coach April Johnson. This should be a very interesting district to say the least despite not being strong.
EARLY MPR EXPLANATION: This is not a very strong district on paper as mentioned in the first thoughts but I went with the host Detroit Henry Ford as the top seed despite having home court and questions. Ferndale University and Hazel Park should battle for the two seed with the winner being the home team for the district semifinals. I felt the Eagles experience gave them the edge for the two seed over the Vikings. Ferndale should be locked for the four seed. Detroit Communication of Media Arts is locked for the fifth seed. Overall, this looks like it's the Trojans district to lose.
District 59 @ Pontiac
PONTIAC
Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Birmingham Detroit Country Day
Madison Heights Lamphere
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Birmingham Detroit Country Day, 2. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep, 3. Madison Heights Lamphere, 4. Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood, 5. Pontiac.
TOP PLAYER: MaKayla Sykes- Birmingham Detroit Country Day
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Saniyah Blackwell- Birmingham Detroit Country Day
WILDCARD: Tessa Bordogna- Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
FAVORITE: Birmingham Detroit Country Day
PRONE TO BE UPSET: Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
MOST DANGEROUS: Madison Heights Lamphere
FIRST THOUGHTS: This is an interesting district, but one team stands out in the first thoughts column. Birmingham Detroit Country Day looks primed to have another deep postseason run back to the Breslin Center in East Lansing, but they fell 58-30 to Goodrich in the Division Two State Quarterfinals last season. The Yellow Jackets will be in the Catholic League next season are loaded with proven talent and experience for Coach Amber Deane. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep might have a say at who could win this district. The Fighting Irish lost a ton of proven talent, but they always reload and are well coached under Coach Matt Matuza. Also watch for Madison Heights Lamphere and Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood, they could both make some noise as well. Pontiac could struggle in this district for Coach Corray Lett despite having home court. This looks like Birmingham Detroit Country Day's district to lose.
EARLY MPR EXPLANTION: This district looks like this is Birmingham Detroit Country Day's district to lose. The Yellow Jackets should be the top seed in the district. Pontiac Notre Dame Prep is clearly locked as the second seed in the district despite losing a ton of experience. Pontiac is locked into the five seed. I went back and forth with Madison Heights Lamphere and Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood for the three and four seeds but went with the Rams as the three seed based on who they have coming back over the Cranes who I think is a more well-rounded team. Overall, this is still Birmingham Detroit Country Day's district to lose.
District 14 @ Northville
Northville
Novi
South Lyon
South Lyon East
Walled Lake Western
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Northville, 2. South Lyon East, 3. Novi, 4. South Lyon, 5. Walled Lake Western.
TOP PLAYER: Peyton Silver- Northville
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: McKinley Reid- South Lyon East
WILDCARD: Annabelle Ham- Novi
FAVORITE: Northville
PRONE TO BE UPSET: South Lyon East
MOST DANGEROUS: Novi
FIRST THOUGHTS: This is the same district as last season back at Northville. South Lyon East had an amazing year which included a 52-45 upset win over Northville in the district final along with a 65-61 double overtime upset of Saline in the regional semifinal before falling to Belleville in the regional finals last season. Northville should be much improved and back to being themselves for Coach Jimmy Reddy in their final year in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association. Novi has a set of twins that are very capable to making some noise along with proven experience coming back for Coach Zack Hauk in their final season in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association. South Lyon should be very competitive despite struggling to score at times however the Lions defense kept them in games which it should be the case again this season. Walled Lake Western is well coached under Steve Emert. This should be a very interesting district to watch.
EARLY MPR EXPLANATION: This was a hard district to figure out with the teams in this district. South Lyon East won the district last season but felt with the experience the Cougars lost, I felt they would be the two seed in the district. Northville has home court and motivation after what happened to them last season at the hands of South Lyon East. I felt that the Mustangs should be much improved and its year two under Coach Jimmy Reddy that Northville is ready to make that jump to the top seed in the district. Novi and South Lyon could battle for the three and four seeds. I went with the Wildcats because of who they have back plus they have a set of twins that could make an impact. The Lions have the defense, but the offense remains to be seen. Walled Lake Western should be locked into the five seed in this district. Overall, this should be a really fun district to watch.
District 88 @ Clawson
Clawson
Detroit Jalen Rose Academy
Grosse Pointe University Liggett
Royal Oak Shrine
Warren Michigan Collegiate
PROJECTED MPR: 1. Clawson, 2. Royal Oak Shrine, 3. Grosse Pointe University Liggett, 4. Warren Michigan Collegiate, 5. Detroit Jalen Rose Academy.
TOP PLAYER: Sydney Love- Clawson
PLAYER ON THE SPOT: Violet Richards- Clawson
WILDCARD: Dani Moss- Clawson
FAVORITE: Clawson
PRONE TO BE UPSET: Royal Oak Shrine
MOST DANGEROUS: Grosse Pointe University Liggett
FIRST THOUGHTS: This is a very interesting district on paper, but this could be Clawson's best opportunity to win this district. The Trojans have home court and is well coached under Michelle Lindsey in their final season in the Macomb Area Conference. Clawson might not have to see Rochester Lutheran Northwest until the regional but they have to win the district first. Royal Oak Shrine is very competitive along with Grosse Pointe University Liggett. This should be a very interesting district as mentioned.
EARLY MPR EXPLANATION: I felt that this district wasn't as strong, but it gave Clawson their best chance. The Trojans have home court and felt they should get the top seed. Royal Oak Shrine is not bad as is Grosse Pointe University Liggett. It wouldn't surprise me if these three teams battle for the top seed however Royal Oak Shrine and Grosse Pointe University Liggett have tougher schedules than Clawson because of the Catholic League. Warren Michigan Collegiate and Detroit Jalen Rose Academy should battle for the four and five seeds. Overall, this looks like a three-team district but felt because of home court the Trojans should get the top seed.
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