Marquette, MI – March 4th, 2026 – Last night, boys basketball teams across the Upper Peninsula battled for a chance to advance to Thursday night’s regional finals. Here’s a breakdown of how each team reached this stage of the tournament, along with a preview of the regional final matchups taking place tomorrow night, including where and when each game will be played.
DIVISION 1
We’ll begin with Division 1, which only features the Marquette Sentinels, who started their playoff run with a bye and had the opportunity to host the district tournament.
Marquette defeated Traverse City Central 66–56 in the district semifinal and followed that up with a 69–52 win over Traverse City West in the district championship.
Last night, the Sentinels pulled off an impressive comeback in the regional semifinal, defeating Mount Pleasant 60–56 after trailing by as many as 20 points earlier in the game.
Marquette now advances to the regional final at Lake City High School, where they will face the D-Zone Basketball No. 3 team in the state, the Rockford Rams. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
We’ll have coverage of that game right here on Fox Sports Marquette 105.1 and 99.9.
DIVISION 2
In Division 2, the Upper Peninsula controlled a district that featured Houghton, Escanaba, Kingsford, Negaunee, and Gladstone.
Kingsford captured the district title, defeating Houghton 59–25 in the semifinal and Gladstone 49–43 in the district championship.
Last night in the regional semifinal, Kingsford defeated Cheboygan 56–42 to advance to the regional championship game.
They will play tomorrow night at Gaylord High School with a 7:00 p.m. tip-off. Kingsford will face Ludington, who enters the matchup having won four straight games and holding a 23–2 record.
DIVISION 3
The Upper Peninsula controlled Districts 65 and 66.
District 65 featured Painesdale-Jeffers, Calumet, Ironwood, Hancock, West Iron County, and Westwood. The Patriots cruised to the district championship, defeating Jeffers 79–54 in the semifinals and West Iron County 71–32 in the championship.
District 66 included Ishpeming, Manistique, Bark River-Harris, Gwinn, Iron Mountain, and Menominee. Similar to Westwood, Menominee had little trouble on their way to a district title, defeating Ishpeming 82–50 in the semifinal and Iron Mountain 72–29 in the championship.
That set up a regional semifinal matchup last night between Westwood and Menominee. The Maroons put together a strong second half to defeat the Patriots 59–46.
Menominee now advances to the regional championship at Newberry High School tomorrow night, where they will face Elk Rapids (21–3), who enter the game riding a 12-game winning streak. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
DIVISION 4
Division 4 featured the most Upper Peninsula representation, with districts 97 through 102.
District 97 included Ewen-Trout Creek, Watersmeet, Bessemer, Wakefield-Marenisco, and Ontonagon. Wakefield-Marenisco won the district championship, defeating Ontonagon 52–42 in the semifinal and Bessemer 43–41 in the championship. They advanced to face the winner of District 98.
District 98 featured Chassell, Lake Linden-Hubbell, Dollar Bay, L’Anse, and Baraga. Dollar Bay claimed the district title with wins over Lake Linden-Hubbell 71–28 and Baraga 49–43. Last night, Dollar Bay defeated Wakefield-Marenisco 72–39 to move on.
District 99 included North Central, Carney-Nadeau, Forest Park, Norway, Stephenson, and Hannahville. Forest Park had little trouble in the district, defeating North Central 80–38 and Norway 73–38. They advanced to face the winner of District 100.
District 100 featured Rapid River, Big Bay de Noc, Munising, Rock Mid Peninsula, Superior Central, and North Dickinson. North Dickinson cruised to the district championship with wins over Rapid River 67–39 and Munising 78–42.
That set up last night’s regional semifinal between Forest Park and North Dickinson. The Nordics came away with a 65–59 victory.
North Dickinson now advances to play Dollar Bay tomorrow night at Negaunee, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
District 101 featured Maplewood Baptist, Engadine, Rudyard, Newberry, and Brimley. Rudyard won the district championship, defeating Maplewood Baptist 85–58 and Brimley 62–60.
They advanced to face the winner of District 102.
District 102 included Mackinaw City, Pellston, St. Ignace, Pickford, Cedarville, and Mackinac Island. Pickford remained unbeaten through the district, defeating Pellston 71–28 and St. Ignace 71–60.
That set up last night’s regional semifinal against Rudyard, where the Panthers remained undefeated with a 72–47 victory.
Pickford will now play tomorrow night in Cheboygan at 7:00 p.m., where they will face Northern Michigan Christian Academy (17–7).
