Breslin Bound: Girls Report Week 8
January 27, 2014
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
The number of undefeated girls basketball teams left this late in the season is dwindling. But there are plenty of strong squads who have stumbled only once or a few times along the way.
These are some that impressed last week in adding to impressive runs so far this season.
1. Flat Rock (10-2, Class B) – Save for losses to outstanding Detroit County Day and Flint Powers Catholic at the Motor City Roundball Classic, Flat Rock is perfect and leads the Huron League.
2. Brighton (9-3, Class A) – The Bulldogs have a two-win lead in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West with seven victories in their last eight games (and the only loss of that string by five to strong Waterford Mott).
3. Hamilton (9-3, Class B) – The Hawkeyes are looking good to repeat as O-K Green champions and make a run at equaling last season’s 20 wins.
4. Napoleon (8-2, Class B) – The Pirates finished second in the Cascades Conference in 2012-13 to eventual Class C champion Manchester, but beat Manchester and Michigan Center last week to move into the top spot.
5. Brooklyn Columbia Central (7-2, Class B) – The Golden Eagles are one of two teams undefeated in Lenawee County Athletic Association play; the first game against co-leader Blissfield was postponed, but another is scheduled for Feb. 6.
6. Breckenridge (9-3, Class C) – The Huskies have raised their play another level after winning 13 games a year ago; they are tied for second to St. Louis in the Tri-Valley Conference West.
7. Muskegon Oakridge (9-2, Class B) – A 12-point win over second-place Mason County Central has Oakridge atop the West Michigan Conference standings after the first round of league games.
8. Sault Ste. Marie (8-3, Class A) – The Blue Devils are nearly to last season’s 12 wins and have won four straight, all by six points or fewer.
9. Reading (10-3, Class C) – The Big 8 Conference is one of the most competitive among small-school leagues in the state, and Reading is tied for first with a win over co-leader Concord.
10. Ishpeming Westwood (7-5, Class C) – A nine-point win over rival Ishpeming on Thursday was no doubt an enjoyable way for the Patriots to equal last season’s win total.
PHOTO: St. Louis (in red uniforms), here in a win over Saginaw Valley Lutheran, is in first place in the Tri-Valley Conference West. (Click to see more at HighSchoolSportsScene.com.)
Moment: Powers Avenges 1999 Defeat
April 20, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
After being stung by Detroit Country Day’s fourth-quarter comeback and buzzer-beating game winner in the 1999 Class B Final, the Flint Powers Catholic girls basketball team would not offer an opportunity for the same dramatic ending in the teams’ 2000 rematch.
This time, the Chargers halted Country Day’s fourth-quarter surge a few points short, holding on for a 47-42 victory.
Senior Kelly Koerber – Powers’ leading scorer in the 1999 defeat – again set the pace, putting up 19 points while connecting on 9 of 12 shots from the floor. The Chargers actually trailed Country Day by two at halftime before going on a 15-4 third-quarter run to take a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Koerber’s future Western Michigan teammate Carrie Moore led Country Day in scoring this time with 19 points as well.
The win gave Powers a 27-1 record for the season, its only loss coming to Flushing by a point. Powers would go on to also win the third-straight Class B Final matchup between the Chargers and Yellowjackets in 2001, 54-53, to cap a perfect 28-0 season.
Here’s the full broadcast of the 2000 Final from FOX Sports Detroit.