2021 girls districts
It’s been a difficult season for teams to navigate.
The challenges of COVID-19 have kept many from playing their complete schedule, while other teams have been unable to make it to the postseason because of quarantine.
Regardless, the 2021 district tournaments will get started on Monday.
As of this writing, it’s not entirely clear which teams may still have to forfeit their spot in the bracket, or which teams could be without key players.
This district preview breaks down each bracket that contains an Oakland County team, and does so as it is listed on Saturday morning from the MHSAA website.
With that said, here’s a look at what we expect to happen this week if all goes without a hitch.
Division 1 DISTRICT 4 AT GRAND BLANC
• Semifinal Matchups: Oxford vs. Grand Blanc; Davison vs. Lapeer
• Breakdown: Oxford has put together some nice wins this season, but it’s a tough opening draw with Grand Blanc. The Bobcats look like the team to beat, as they own wins over both Davison and Lapeer this season.
• Prediction: Grand Blanc
DISTRICT 5 AT ROMEO
• Opening Matchup: Romeo vs. Rochester Adams
• Byes: Waterford Kettering, Clarkston, Lake Orion
• Breakdown: Clarkston looks like the team to beat here. The Wolves have only suffered losses to the top teams in the state and have a lot of athleticism on the floor. Lake Orion and Adams could be a really exciting semifinal, but I see Clarkston coming away with the title either way.
• Prediction: Clarkston
DISTRICT 6 AT WATERFORD MOTT
• Opening Matchup: Bloomfield Hills vs. Auburn Hills Avondale
• Byes: Waterford Mott, West Bloomfield, Birmingham Marian
• Breakdown: West Bloomfield and Marian are two teams with big postseason aspirations. Each has been ranked in Division 1 throughout the season and knows what it takes to win. It should be a great district final between the two. In the end, West Bloomfield has the depth and guard play to contend with most anyone in the state.
• Prediction: West Bloomfield
DISTRICT 7 AT WALLED LAKE NORTHERN
• Opening Matchup: Walled Lake Western vs. Milford
• Byes: Lakeland, Walled Lake Central, Walled Lake Northern
• Breakdown: This all-LVC district features a lot of familiar opponents. Walled Lake Northern has really turned the corner over the second half of the season. The Knights are playing at a higher level right now and have the home-court advantage.
• Prediction: Walled Lake Northern
DISTRICT 8 AT LINDEN
• Opening Matchup: Holly vs. Fenton
Byes: Linden, Hartland, Howell
• Breakdown: Holly has a tough draw, as Hartland is ranked No. 1 in Division 1 and a perennial contender in the division. Howell is also a strong team in Division 1 that should give Hartland a run for its money.
• Prediction: Hartland
DISTRICT 17 AT ANN ARBOR SKYLINE
• Opening Matchups: Pinckney vs. Dexter; Skyline vs. South Lyon
• Byes: Brighton, South Lyon East
• Breakdown: This district features a pair of Oakland County teams in LVC champ South Lyon East, and its rival South Lyon. The Cougars have been targeting a district title for years and feel this year could be their best chance. East should have the confidence to get the job done after a competitive 2021 schedule.
• Prediction: South Lyon East
DISTRICT 25 AT NOVI
• Opening Matchup: North Farmington vs. Livonia Stevenson
• Byes: Novi, Farmington Hills Mercy, Farmington
• Breakdown: Farmington has had a nice season, winning the OAA Gold to earn a first-round bye. However, the Falcons face an uphill challenge in trying to unseat the traditional power of Mercy. The Marlins have played against the best and look ready to bring out their best this week after winning the CHSL Tournament on Friday.
• Prediction: Farmington Hills Mercy
DISTRICT 26 AT ROYAL OAK
• Opening Matchup: Royal Oak vs. Birmingham Seaholm
• Byes: Southfield A&T, Birmingham Groves, Berkley
Breakdown: It’s a really competitive district with teams that have struggled with consistency throughout the season. Groves is a young squad, but has a lot of potential. Royal Oak has pulled off upsets before in March and could very well do it again this year.
• Prediction: Birmingham Groves
DISTRICT 27 AT DETROIT RENAISSANCE
• Opening Matchup: Oak Park vs. Detroit Mumford
• Byes: Warren Fitzgerald, Detroit Renaissance, Warren Mott
• Breakdown: Oak Park has had some close calls as of late, but navigating this bracket will be a challenge. Renaissance has tested itself against many of the top teams in the state and should be the favorite.
• Prediction: Detroit Renaissance
DISTRICT 29 AT ROCHESTER
• Opening Matchup: Troy Athens vs. Rochester
• Byes: Utica Eisenhower, Stoney Creek, Troy
• Breakdown: Eisenhower may play spoiler for a large Oakland County contingent here, but this bracket could be a toss-up. Stoney Creek and Troy recently played in two thrillers this season. It would be nice to see a rubber match in the final.
• Prediction: Stoney Creek
Division 2 DISTRICT 57 AT WIXOM ST. CATHERINE
• Semifinal Matchup: Livonia Clarenceville vs. Wixom St. Catherine
• Bye: Birmingham Detroit Country Day
• Breakdown: Country Day has quietly put together a really strong season, including a win over SCA. The Stars are coming off their first CHSL championship on Friday, which should give it some confidence for a potential rematch in the district final.
• Prediction: Detroit Country Day
DISTRICT 58 AT TBA
• Semifinal Matchups: Hazel Park vs. Warren Lincoln; Ferndale University vs. Warren Regina
• Breakdown: Regina couldn’t have had much more of a challenging schedule. That led to few wins during the season, but should lead to some wins in this district.
• Prediction: Warren Regina
DISTRICT 61 AT CLAWSON
• Opening Matchup: Center Line vs. Cranbrook-Kingswood
• Byes: Notre Dame Prep, Clawson, Madison Heights Lamphere
• Breakdown: Clawson and Lamphere battled it out for the MAC Silver, but the Trojans came away with the crown. That championship run should help carry Clawson through this competitive district.
• Prediction: Clawson
DISTRICT 64 AT FLINT POWERS CATHOLIC
• Opening Matchups: Mt. Morris vs. Flint Powers Catholic; Clio vs. Ortonville Brandon
• Byes: Goodrich, North Branch
• Breakdown: It’s going to be challenging for Brandon to pick up three wins next week, especially with North Branch awaiting in the semifinal if the Blackhawks can get past Clio. The Broncos look primed for a playoff run.
• Prediction: North Branch
Division 3 DISTRICT 91 AT ROYAL OAK SHRINE
• Semifinal Matchups: Warren Michigan Collegiate vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley; Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart vs. Royal Oak Shrine
• Breakdown: Foley and Shrine would make for a great championship game. The two rivals seem pretty evenly matched and the contest would likely be a thriller. I have to give the edge to the home team.
• Prediction: Royal Oak Shrine
DISTRICT 92 AT ROCHESTER HILLS LUTHERAN NORTHWEST
• Semifinal Matchups: Mount Clemens vs. New Haven; Clintondale vs. Lutheran Northwest
• Breakdown: Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest had its 2020 postseason end without being eliminated. The Crusaders are eager to get back to the regional final next week. To get there, it has to win a pair of games at home. With their offensive depth and aggressive defense, a district title should be coming their way.
• Prediction: Lutheran Northwest
Division 4 DISTRICT 124 AT SOUTHFIELD CHRISTIAN
• Finals Matchup: Southfield Christian vs. Livingston Christian
• Breakdown: It’s a twoteam district because of teams opting out or not being able to play. The Eagles of Southfield Christian have taken a number of losses, but have some promising talent. Southfield Christian has played some tough opponents and I think that will help it win this game.
• Prediction: Southfield Christian
DISTRICT 126 AT WATERFORD OUR LADY OF THE LAKES
• Semifinal Matchup: Clarkston Everest Collegiate vs. Auburn Hills Oakland Christian
• Bye: Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes
• Breakdown: Oakland Christian and Everest Collegiate should have a competitive semifinal, but Waterford Our Lady has the postseason pedigree and the shooting to beat both teams. The Lakers are going to be a handful for any Division 4 team.
• Prediction: Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes