District week is coming, and when it gets here, it’s win or go home. One bad quarter and you’re done.
That’s why this first round is already building buzz: every possession will matter, every run will feel bigger, and rivalries won’t just be loud… they’ll decide who keeps playing.
Who do you think will make it past the first round?
District 74 — Kent City
Where: Kent City High School (The Nest)
When: Starts Monday, Feb. 23 and runs through Friday, Feb. 27
- Ravenna
- Lakeview
- Morley Standwood
- White Cloud
- Blanchard Montabella
- Kent City
Morley Stanwood has been one of the early standouts in District 74. They picked up an early season win over Blanchard Montabella at the Morley Stanwood Holiday Tournament, and also notched a victory vs. Kent City a few weeks ago. Expect Morley Stanwood to be a team to watch as District play heats up!
District 73 — Mason County Central
Where: Mason County Central High School (Scottville)
When: Starts Monday, Feb. 23 and runs through Friday, Feb. 27
- Shelby
- Hesperia
- Mason County Central
- Holton
- North Muskegon
- Western Michigan Christian
In District 73, the North Muskegon vs. Western Michigan Christian matchup might not happen until the district final, but it’s shaping up to be a great one if it does. North Muskegon has one loss coming in and is fresh off a conference championship, and the duo of Adam Dugener and Braylen Burrel will be a tough challenge for Western Michigan Christian. WMC lost to North Muskegon earlier in the season, so they’ll be looking to flip the result if they meet again.
District 35 — Ludington
Where: Ludington High School (Hawley Gym)
When: Starts Monday, Feb. 23 and runs through Friday, Feb. 27
- Manistee
- Big Rapids
- Ludington
- Hart
- Reed City
District 35 is loaded with some big hitters. Ludington, the WMC Lakes Division champs, comes in with just one loss this season, and a potential district final matchup vs. Hart is one to circle. Hart finished second in their division, and if they meet Ludington with a title on the line, it’ll be a strong late-round test.
There are also some key unknowns in the district field: Ludington hasn’t matched up with Big Rapids this season, though they did pick up a win over Manistee. And Hart hasn’t played Reed City yet, so when those matchups happen, they’ll bring plenty of intrigue into the bracket.
District 41 — Sparta
Where: Sparta High School
When: Starts Monday, Feb. 23 and runs through Friday, Feb. 27
- Howard City Tri County
- Newaygo
- Grant
- Fremont
- Sparta
In District 41, the team to watch is Grant. They’re coming in off a conference championship and an undefeated regular season, making them the clear pace-setter in the bracket.
On the other side, Fremont, who put together a solid season, will match up with Sparta, a team that beat them in the regular season. Sparta also took a loss to Grant later in the year, so if things fall into place, they’ll be eager for a chance to see Grant again in a potential district final.
District 42 — Montague
Where: Montague High School
When: Starts Monday, Feb. 23 and runs through Friday, Feb. 27
- Oakridge
- Orchard View
- Whitehall
- Montague
- Fruitport
- Spring Lake
District 42 is loaded with familiar names and rivalry matchups, starting with Montague vs. Whitehall and Oakridge vs. Orchard View.
Early predictions have Orchard View advancing to face Fruitport; a matchup we didn’t get to see during the regular season. On the other side, Whitehall looks poised to move on after dominant wins over Montague twice earlier this year, setting up a likely meeting with Spring Lake, a familiar district foe. Whitehall did drop their first game of the season to Spring Lake, so that potential rematch would carry plenty of motivation.
If the bracket plays out, the district final could come down to Spring Lake vs. Fruitport. Fruitport lost to Spring Lake early in the season as well, so they’ll be aiming to flip the result with a title on the line.
District 4 — Muskegon
Where: Muskegon High School (Redmond-Potter Gym)
When: Starts Monday, Feb. 23 and runs through Friday, Feb. 27
- Mona Shores
- Reeths Puffer
- Greenville
- Cedar Springs
- Rockford
- Muskegon
Lastly, District 4 features a strong group of teams. Greenville will match up with conference opponent Cedar Springs, a team they defeated twice during the regular season. On the other side of the bracket, Mona Shores faces conference foe Reeths-Puffer, and Shores also won both regular-season meetings.
Keep an eye on the district semifinals, where the likely matchups could feature Rockford vs. Mona Shores on one side and Muskegon vs. Greenville on the other. Those potential cross-matchups bring plenty of intrigue, especially with teams that may not have seen each other this season, setting the stage for possible upsets and a highly competitive path to the district title.
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