District championships are here, and across West Michigan the field has been cut to the last teams standing. The early rounds delivered everything from dominant statement wins to gritty, down-to-the-wire battles, and now the stakes rise again with trophies on the line. With familiar rivals, conference powers, and redemption storylines all converging, the spotlight shifts to the district finals matchups that will decide who earns the right to keep playing, and who goes home.
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
In Wednesday’s Division 3 district 74 semifinal, Ravenna survived a thriller, slipping past Blanchard Montabella 48-47. The Bulldogs built a 12-7 first-quarter lead, but Montabella answered with a 16-10 second quarter to take a 23-22 edge into halftime. Ravenna regained control in the second half, led by Shea Iwaniw’s 14 points, with Brady Karchinski adding 10 and Conner Karchinski scoring nine. With the game tight late, Ravenna leaned on timely free throws from Aiden Ford and Steve Lemkie to close it out.
Ravenna (15-9) now advances to Friday’s district final against Kent City, which earned its spot by defeating Morley Stanwood 72-37. The matchup adds an extra layer of drama because Kent City beat Ravenna 60-44 earlier in the regular season—back at the beginning of the year. With both teams trending in different ways since then, Friday will show who’s ready to finish the bracket and claim the district title.
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
North Muskegon earned its spot in the Division 3 District 73 final with a 78-38 semifinal win over Shelby at Mason County Central. On the other side, Muskegon Western Michigan Christian advanced by edging Mason County Central 34-28, setting up another district finals showdown between two programs that know each other well.
The matchup carries extra intrigue because North Muskegon already beat WMC 53-46 earlier this season, but Friday’s stakes are entirely different. With a championship on the line — and plenty of postseason history between these teams — time will tell who’s ready to finish the job.
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
Hart and Ludington both advanced with convincing semifinal wins and will now meet for the Division 2 District 35 championship. Ludington rolled past Big Rapids 77-44, while Hart defeated Reed City 59-37 to set up a matchup between two 20-win teams playing some of their best basketball of the season.
Now the stage is set: Ludington’s defensive firepower against Hart’s balanced attack and momentum. With both teams entering on winning streaks and each boasting 20-plus victories, Friday’s 7 p.m. tip will decide who cuts down the nets in District 35.
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
The Packers held off a pesky Sparta team for a 56-49 Division 2 district 41 semifinal win Wednesday, using a balanced attack to build a halftime lead, withstand a fourth-quarter rally, and finish strong down the stretch. Sparta erased a late deficit to pull even in the final period, but Fremont answered with timely stops and baskets to pull away for good.
Now Fremont (17-6) draws the toughest test in the bracket: undefeated Grant in Friday’s district championship at Sparta. The teams already met at the Newaygo County Showcase in White Cloud during the regular season, where Grant pulled away for a 72-46 win — a result that adds extra intrigue to the rematch.
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
Spring Lake’s trip to the Division 2 District 42 championship was earned the hard way, with a physical, bruising semifinal win that turned into a battle in the paint. The Lakers advanced by knocking off Whitehall 74-61 at Montague, surviving an aggressive, inside-focused game that set the tone for what’s ahead.
On the other side of the bracket, Fruitport punched its ticket with a 63-44 win over Orchard View, using a fast start to seize control early and never let the Cardinals back in. The Trojans built a big first-quarter cushion and carried that momentum through the finish to put themselves one win away from a title.
Now it all comes down to a rivalry rematch in Friday’s District 42 final (7 p.m., Montague): Spring Lake vs. Fruitport. The Trojans will be looking for payback after dropping a tight regular-season meeting to the Lakers, 67-60. With a district trophy and a trip to the next round on the line, expect the intensity to match the moment from the opening tip.
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
Muskegon erased any halftime doubt Wednesday night by turning up the defensive pressure and running away from Greenville for a 67-31 district semifinal win at Redmond-Potter Gymnasium. Now the payoff arrives Friday: Muskegon will face Rockford in the district final at 7 p.m. back at Redmond-Potter — a matchup both sides have circled even without seeing each other this season. Rockford advanced with a 76-57 win over Mona Shores, setting up a championship game between two top-ranked teams with unfinished business.
The storyline is obvious. Last year, Rockford stunned Muskegon 64-62 on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer, and Friday brings the first chance at a postseason answer. With a district trophy on the line and last year’s ending still fresh, it’s a rematch that should feel every bit as intense as the moment demands.
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