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.)

Highlight Reel: Girls Basketball Finals

March 21, 2015

By John Johnson
MHSAA communications director
 

The 2014-15 girls basketball season came to an end Saturday with four MHSAA Finals at the Breslin Center at Michigan State University.

Below are highlight clips from every game plus links to watch them in full

Class A

Bloomfield Hills Marian 51, DeWitt 37

PANTHERS OVERCOME EARLY DEFICIT - After a slow start, DeWitt pulled even with Bloomfield Hills Marian in the second quarter of the Class A Final. In transition, Lilly George takes a nice pass from Claudia Reid to give their team the lead.

SISTER-SISTER - Bloomfield Hills Marian broke the Class A Final with DeWitt open in the third quarter. Sisters Bailey and Samantha Thomas team up in transition for a layup. 

Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here.

Class B

Detroit Country Day 49, Haslett 41 

WEBB ON THE TRIPLE - Kaela Webb led Detroit Country Day with 20 points in the Class B Final against Haslett. Here's a 3-pointer from the side in the third quarter.

DeCOOK KEEPS HASLETT CLOSE - Haslett closed to within two points late in the game when Kenzie DeCook scored on a fastbreak off a nice defensive play. 

Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here.

Class C

Calumet 57, Flint Hamady 49

HAMADY HAWKS PRESSURE - Defensive pressure by Flint Hamady results in a couple of steals and baskets for Jalisha Terry early in the third quarter.

KINGS GET THE BLOCK & THE BASKET - Calumet turns a defensive play into points. First, the block by Abby Bjorn, and then the fastbreak basket by Alexis Loukus.

Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here. 

Class D

St. Ignace 64, Pittsford 60 (OT) 

BURGER DOWN THE LANE - Pittsford built a 20-point lead in the third quarter in the Class D Final against St. Ignace. Here Jaycie Burger drives the lane for two.

SAINTS COME ALL THE WAY BACK - St. Ignace came back from that 20-point deficit, the largest in Girls Finals history, to defeat Pittsford for the Class D title. In the first minute of overtime, the Saints finally took the lead with two baskets from Abbey Ostman.  Here's the second of those scores on a fastbreak.

Watch the entire game and order DVDs by Clicking Here.           

PHOTO: St. Ignace’s Margo Smith drives for two points against Pittsford during the Class D Final.