2nd-Half Surge lifts Sacred Heart in Class D
March 17, 2016
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
EAST LANSING – Averi Gamble had a smile on her face for all but a few seconds of the final minute of Thursday night’s MHSAA Semifinal.
Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart’s Class D championship win two years ago was “the best moment of my life, thus far,” she said after.
And she and her teammates earned the opportunity to go through it all again.
Sacred Heart chipped away over three quarters to finish a 45-38 win over Stephenson and set up championship game matchup against top-ranked Pittsford.
“Just the fact that I can come back here twice is overwhelming,” Gamble added. “I know how it feels already. It’s just so exciting that I can do it twice.”
The No. 3 Irish (24-1) will face Pittsford at 10 a.m. Saturday. Stephenson, ranked No. 8 entering the postseason, was playing in its first Semifinal and finished 24-3.
But for more than a half, it looked instead like the Eagles’ dream season might go on.
Stephenson took a five-point lead into the final seconds of the first quarter, and led as late as two minutes into the third.
But that’s when Sacred Heart’s experience began to pay off.
The Irish actually are relatively young, with a freshman and two sophomores in the starting lineup. But Gamble was The Associated Press’ Class D Player of the Year this winter and senior guard Megan English also started in the 2014 Final.
Gamble finished with 13 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots, but had 11 points, five rebounds and two of those blocks over the final 14 minutes and nine of her team’s 12 points during the fourth quarter.
Stephenson, which had shot 33 percent from the floor during the first half, sagged to 23 percent during the second half against the Oilers’ zone, which was anchored by Gamble dissuading would-be drivers from taking a run at the basket.
English added two points, two steals and an assist over the final 14 minutes.
“We just settled in,” Sacred Heart coach Damon Brown said. “We just had to get through that first quarter, get our nerves out of the way, just think of it as a regular basketball game. Once we did that, settled in, our defense looked a lot better and our offense looked a lot better.”
The Irish did switch things up defensively a bit during the second half in an effort to apply more pressure and up the pace of the game. Stephenson coach Shanna Beal admitted that uptick in tempo might have drained her team’s energy a bit too quickly – although the inability to get many open looks and stop Gamble down the stretch certainly made differences as well.
“Obviously she’s the focus and what they base their offense around, and we just decided to play in front and behind her,” Beal said. “The problem that arose was getting body position, and rebounding was a big key in the second half. We just couldn’t move her out of there to get second shots.”
Sophomore forward Sophie Ruggles added 10 points and eight rebounds for the Irish, and freshman guard Scout Nelson also scored 10 points.
Senior Karley Johnson was the lead scorer for Stephenson with 12 points, and senior center Tori Wangerin had six and 13 rebounds while locking up Gamble for more than a half defensively.
“I have no words; I’m super proud of the girls this year,” Beal said. “These three girls (Wangerin, Johnson and Kelsey Johnson) have grown up in the gym. This was a dream of theirs, and I’m glad we were able to make it here. I believe we fought hard all the way to the end. We have a lot of pride being the first women’s team from our school to make it here. Most of our community was here; we’re pretty small, but that they were all here was great support.”
The Girls Basketball Finals are presented by Sparrow Health System.
PHOTOS: (Top) Sacred Heart players celebrate clinching their second MHSAA championship game appearance in three seasons. (Middle) Scout Nelson works to get past Stephenson’s Haley Truitt.
Breslin Bound: 2022-23 Girls Quarterfinal Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 14, 2023
By the end of tonight, we’ll know which 16 girls basketball teams are Breslin Bound this weekend.
Below is a glance at all 16 Quarterfinals across four divisions, with all games tipping off today at 7 p.m. unless noted.
We’ll come back Thursday with more detailed looks at the teams making the trip to East Lansing.
“Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid.
Division 1
Salem (20-6) vs. Riverview (23-3) at Ypsilanti Lincoln
Riverview is playing in its first Quarterfinal, and Salem its first since 1990. The Rocks are paced by junior Madison Morson (22.4 points, 7.6 rebounds per game). Seniors Elyssa Kincaid (16.8 ppg) and Cadence Kaminske (14.7 ppg) lead Riverview, which won both of its Regional games by a point.
Flint Carman-Ainsworth (23-0) vs. West Bloomfield (24-2) at Bay City Central
The Cavaliers bring a perfect record and five players averaging double-digit scoring into this meeting with the reigning Division 1 champion. Senior Armonie Smith and junior Ravyn Guy lead at 15 ppg, and senior DeAndrea’ Smith provides 12.6 points, 12 rebounds and five assists per contest. West Bloomfield has three starters back from its title-winning lineup – junior twins Summer Davis (19.1 ppg, 74 3-pointers) and Indya Davis (15.6 ppg, 8.7 rpg) and senior Sydney Hendrix (10.6 ppg).
Detroit Renaissance (22-1) vs. Grosse Pointe North (23-2) at University of Detroit Mercy
The Phoenix are a one-point overtime loss to Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard from perfection this winter and defeated Farmington Hills Mercy (22-4) to reach this week. North’s only losses were to Lake Fenton and Utica Eisenhower, the latter by a point. Three players average double-digit scoring for the Norsemen, led by senior Annabel Ayrault at 14 ppg. Junior Christian Sanders (14.1 ppg) leads four Renaissance players averaging at least 11 points per contest.
Rockford (25-1) vs. Holt (22-4) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
The Rams were a three-point Semifinal loss to West Bloomfield from playing for last year’s Division 1 title, and their only loss this time was to still-undefeated Grand Rapids West Catholic. Sophomore Anna Wypych (14.2 ppg) is the leading scorer for a team that’s connected on 231 3-pointers. Holt is coached by Tori Brooks, who made the Finals as a player with DeWitt in 2009 and East Lansing in 2008, and the Rams are keyed by senior Janae Tyler (18.1 ppg, 12.2 rpg).
Division 2
Houghton (21-5) vs. Frankenmuth (23-2) at Gaylord, 5 p.m.
The Gremlins have defeated league champions two of their last three games to reach this week and feature for senior starters including leading scorer Meghan Trewhella (16.1 ppg). Frankenmuth earned its second-straight Regional title and has won 11 straight games, with 6-foot-1 Lexi Boyke (13 ppg, 8.5 rpg) the lone senior in the Eagles’ starting lineup.
Warren Regina (10-12) vs. Goodrich (23-3) at University of Detroit Mercy, 5:30 p.m.
Regina is playing in its first Quarterfinal since 2011 after handing Warren Fitzgerald its lone loss 52-19 in the Regional Final. Junior Maddy Mlynarek (6.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg) is the leading scorer and rebounder for a balanced lineup. Goodrich built on its one-point win over rival Lake Fenton in the District Final with a triple-overtime victory over Detroit Country Day in the Regional championship game. Senior Riley Place leads at 13.2 ppg.
Grand Rapids West Catholic (25-0) vs. Holland Christian (19-7) at Hopkins
Last season’s Division 2 runner-up West Catholic hasn’t lost since, led by senior Miss Basketball Award finalist Cadence Dykstra (13.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 5.0 apg). The Falcons defeated Holland Christian by 17 and 32 during the regular season. The Maroons won their first Regional title since 2009, and sophomore Camryn VandenBosch (11.5 ppg) leads four starters averaging at least six points per game.
Lansing Catholic (21-5) vs. Redford Westfield Prep (16-8) at Chelsea
Both of these teams have earned stunning victories this postseason, Westfield over reigning Division 2 champion Detroit Edison 57-54 in the Regional Final and Lansing Catholic handing second and final losses to Haslett in the District and Chelsea in the Regional. Senior guard Shamya Reid is Westfield’s leading scorer at 15.5 ppg, while junior twins Anna and Leah Richards pace the Cougars at 12.2 and 10.3 ppg, respectively.
Division 3
Sandusky (23-3) vs. Madison Heights Bishop Foley (20-6) at West Bloomfield
Sandusky earned its first Regional championship since 1999, avenging an overtime regular-season loss to Cass City to advance. Senior Morgan Taege averages 12.6 ppg with 50 3-pointers. Bishop Foley has won three straight Regional championships and this time is led by junior Ryan Moorer (11.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and four seniors filling out the rest of the starting lineup.
Blissfield (25-1) vs. Ovid-Elsie (22-4) at Springport
The Royals defeated reigning Division 3 champion Ypsilanti Arbor Prep 50-38 in a Regional Final to return to the season’s final week. Five players average between 5.9 and 11 ppg, with junior Avery Collins that leading scorer and also pace-setter with 4.5 assists and four steals per contest. Ovid-Elsie won its first Regional title since 1984 and starts four juniors including Ava Bates, who leads at 12.6 points, 5.7 rpg and 1.4 blocks per game.
Elk Rapids (21-3) vs. Hemlock (23-3) at Gaylord
Elk Rapids will play in its first Quarterfinal since 1993, with wins over Harbor Springs and Negaunee highlighting the Elks’ tournament path. Junior Kendall Standfest has been a force averaging 16.7 ppg and 11.2 rpg. Hemlock has won 14 straight and follows a pair of big-time shooters in seniors Regan Finkbeiner (17.1 ppg, 60 3-pointers) and Chloe Watson (14.1 ppg, 71 3-pointers).
Hart (23-3) vs. Buchanan (23-1) at Bangor
Hart avenged a regular-season loss to 2022 Division 3 runner-up Kent City to win its first Regional championship, with leading scorers Abby Hicks (14.5 ppg) and Addi Hovey (16.4 ppg) surrounded by three seniors in the starting lineup. Buchanan’s first Quarterfinal trip since 2001 has been paced by 6-4 Miss Basketball finalist Faith Carson at 20.4 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. The Bucks have won 23 straight since falling to Vicksburg in their season opener.
Division 4
Baraga (21-5) vs. Mackinaw City (25-1)
Baraga is back after making the Division 4 Semifinals last season, in part thanks to avenging regular-season losses to Lake Linden-Hubbell and Ewen-Trout Creek during the playoffs. Corina Jahfetson is among the standouts again, this time with a team-leading 18 ppg and 90 3-pointers. Mackinaw City broke through with its first Regional title, with seniors Madison Smith (16.1 ppg, 10 rpg) and Marlie Pastula (15.8) leading four players averaging double-digit scoring.
Fowler (19-7) vs. Kingston (25-1)
The Eagles have won the last two Division 4 championships and prepped this time with another strong schedule; their only Division 4 loss was to Portland St. Patrick and was avenged twice. Senior Emma Riley has plenty of Breslin experience and leads at 15.1 ppg. Kingston’s lone loss came to Division 2 Saginaw Swan Valley, and nine of the team’s last 10 wins were over opponents with winning records. Junior Delaney St. George paces the Cardinals at 15.8 ppg with 91 3-pointers.
Maple City Glen Lake (23-2) vs. St. Charles (24-2)
Glen Lake won its third-straight Regional title but this time in Division 4 after advancing in Division 3 the last two seasons. Senior guard Ruby Hogan (19.1 ppg, 5.2 apg) will direct the offense as the Lakers attempt to reach the Semifinals for the second-straight March. St. Charles was another first-time Regional champion last week and is keyed by a balanced lineup with three starters averaging between 9-10 ppg, led by Emily Zelinko at 9.8.
Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep (18-8) vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian (17-10)
Hackett made its first Quarterfinal with a 35-29 victory over 21-win Colon in the Regional Final. Junior Alyse Baughman (13.6 ppg) is the leading scorer for a lineup with only one senior starter. Lenawee Christian is making a return trip to the Quarterfinals, following another distance-shooting ace in senior Avery Sluss (14.1 ppg, 56 3-pointers).
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PHOTOS (Top) Carman-Ainsworth’s Armoni Strozier (15) gets a hand on a shot during a District win over Flushing. (Middle) Kalen Williams (3) gets a shot up for Goodrich against Davison earlier this season. (Photos by Terry Lyons.)