Breslin Bound: Girls Report Week 8
January 27, 2020
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
We could list the 20 most standings-shaking matchups coming up in girls basketball this week and probably call it good for this “Breslin Bound” report.
At least 15 games statewide will pit teams tied for first in their leagues, or teams that could be tied for first when the final buzzer sounds.
We make mention of many of those below as we look toward the final month of the regular season. “Breslin Bound” is powered by MI Student Aid and based on results and schedules posted for each school at MHSAA.com. Send corrections or missing scores to [email protected].
Week in Review
The countdown of last week’s five most intriguing results:
1. Brighton 41, Hartland 33 – The veteran Eagles have been seen as Division 1 contenders – and that hasn’t changed – but this win moved Brighton into a first-place tie (with Howell as well) in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association West and also into that discussion of elite.
2. Hudsonville 45, Rockford 44 (2OT) – Two of Hudsonville’s three closest games have come the last two Fridays, and the Eagles moved to 10-0 following up a four-point win over 9-3 East Kentwood on Jan. 17 with this nail-biter against the 10-2 Rams.
3. Kent City 75, Morley Stanwood 33 – Six Kent City players combined for 16 3-pointers as the Eagles remained the only Central State Activities Association Silver team unbeaten in league play after handing Morley Stanwood its first loss overall.
4. Michigan Center 61, Springport 49 – After a 3-3 start facing some of the state’s top competition, Michigan Center is still making its way back up the Division 3 MPR but got another boost against Big 8 Conference leader Springport.
5. Hemlock 40, Ithaca 29 – Hemlock saw its 19-game league winning streak snapped by Saginaw Nouvel earlier this month but pushed back into a first-place tie in the Tri-Valley Conference West with Ithaca less than two weeks later by handing the Yellowjackets their first loss overall this winter.
Watch List
With an eye toward March, here are two teams in each division making sparks:
DIVISION 1
East Grand Rapids (11-1) The Pioneers sent league foe Grand Rapids Christian to 9-2 overall with a 64-40 win last week and can finish a perfect first run through the Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold on Friday at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg. The Pioneers – 20-3 last season – proved they were more than just league contenders in December with wins over Kalamazoo Central and Southfield Arts & Technology. EGR’s lone loss is nearly as impressive, 59-55 to still-unbeaten Hudsonville.
Jackson Northwest (10-1) The Class B runner-up and Interstate 8 Athletic Conference champion in 2017-18 fell back to second in the league a year ago. But the Mounties are working toward taking the title back, and a big week coming up will tell a lot about the chances to accomplish that and possibly more. Northwest opens Tuesday with Division 3 power Ypsilanti Arbor Prep and then Friday hosts rival Parma Western hoping to avenge a four-point loss to the Panthers from Dec. 13. Battle Creek Harper Creek also is tied with those two for first in the I8AC, and Northwest won their first meeting 44-41 in overtime.
DIVISION 2
Detroit Cody (11-1) After its most recent league title in 2016-17, Cody has hovered just above .500 over the last two seasons. But the Comets are contenders again and absolutely dominating, with their loss to Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern on Dec. 7 their only game that wasn’t a double-digit win. Cody is tied for first in the Detroit Public School League West with 10-1 Detroit Renaissance and faces the Phoenix in the league finale Thursday – although Cody also must be watchful against Mumford tonight.
Grand Rapids West Catholic (10-1) A win Tuesday against Comstock Park would give West Catholic as many victories this season as all of last, as the Falcons have made a massive jump with their only loss this winter to 10-2 Muskegon Reeths-Puffer by seven on Dec. 20. A win over the reigning league co-champ Panthers also would put West Catholic in first alone in the O-K Blue after it finished sixth in 2018-19.
DIVISION 3
Lake City (10-1) Coming off last season’s Division 3 Semifinal run, Lake City continues to ride high with its only loss two weeks ago to Morley Stanwood (see above). The Trojans quickly bounced back and handed rival Manton its only defeat 48-37 on Jan. 17. Although Manton remains No. 1 in Division 3 MPR, that win pushed Lake City ahead of Manton into first alone in the Highland Conference – and their rematch Feb. 18 is shaping up as one of the state’s biggest games of February.
Ishpeming Westwood (10-1) The Patriots’ rise from very good to elite in 2018-19 was not a one-and-done as they have continued to dominate this winter with their only loss to undefeated Menominee 52-47 on Dec. 18. Westwood sits alone atop the Western Peninsula Athletic Conference East thanks to Friday’s 45-35 win over rival Negaunee. That victory ran the Patriots’ win streak over the Miners to three – after losing their first meeting last season, Westwood won the second on the way to clinching the league title and then downed Negaunee again in District play.
DIVISION 4
Bellaire (11-0) After finishing second to Gaylord St. Mary in the Ski Valley Conference the last three seasons and losing 10 straight to the Snowbirds, Bellaire is the team to chase the rest of this season thanks to a 49-36 win over St. Mary on Wednesday. In addition to being in the league mix the last few years, Bellaire also won a District title last winter to set up this run that has included 10 straight double-digit victories.
Kingston (11-0) The Cardinals will put their 62-game league winning streak on the line Thursday against Deckerville, the last team to win a league game against Kingston – in 2013-14. The Cardinals have continued to roll after making last season’s Division 4 Semifinals and actually beat the Eagles 41-28 in their first meeting Dec. 16. With four teams at 7-4 or better, the North Central Thumb League Stars is among the state’s toughest small-school leagues this winter – and Kingston also has a 34-point win over NCTL Stripes leader Bay City All Saints.
Can't-Miss Contests
Be on the lookout for results of these games coming up:
Tuesday – Farmington Hills Mercy (11-0) at Bloomfield Hills Marian (9-2) – The Marlins can pull within one more win of clinching the Detroit Catholic League Central title if they can follow up their 46-34 win over rival Marian from Jan. 7.
Thursday– Detroit Martin Luther King (9-0) at Detroit Cass Tech (10-1) – These rivals are the only unbeaten teams left in PSL East play; last season they shared the PSL Midtown title before Cass Tech downed King in a District Final.
Friday – Edwardsburg (11-1) at Three Rivers (10-1) – The Eddies are in jeopardy of seeing their three-season league-title streak come to an end as this will determine if Edwardsburg shares the Wolverine Conference South championship or Three Rivers clinches it outright.
Friday – Chesaning (10-1) at Byron (11-0) – The Eagles have shared three straight league championships, but have a one-game lead on Chesaning as they go for the outright Mid-Michigan Activities Conference title. Byron won the first meeting 48-32 on Dec. 20.
Friday – Midland (11-0) at Midland Dow (9-2) – With this perfect start including a 38-31 win over Dow on Dec. 19, Midland High has taken back local bragging rights and could accomplish much more this winter – but the Chargers await as potential spoilers.
Second Half’s weekly “Breslin Bound” reports are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Office of Postsecondary Financial Planning located within the Michigan Department of Treasury. MI Student Aid encourages students to pursue postsecondary education by providing access to student financial resources and information. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 college savings programs (MET/MESP), as well as scholarship and grant programs that help make college Accessible, Affordable and Attainable for you. Connect with MI Student Aid at www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid and find more information on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO: Ishpeming Westwood’s Tessa Leece drives to the basket while being defended by Negaunee's Chloe Norman on Friday. (Photo by Cara Kamps.)
Davis Sinks Memory-Maker This Time as West Bloomfield Downs Rockford in OT
By
Dean Holzwarth
Special for MHSAA.com
March 22, 2024
EAST LANSING – West Bloomfield wanted badly to avenge last year’s loss to Rockford in the Division 1 Final.
The Lakers did so in dramatic fashion Friday.
Indya Davis banked in a 3-pointer at the regulation buzzer to force overtime, and West Bloomfield converted timely free throws during the extra session for a thrilling 55-47 win over the Rams in the second Division 1 Semifinal at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center.
“It took us 365 days and an extra quarter to get that back,” Lakers coach Darren McAllister said. “Since last year we felt like we left something in East Lansing and it was about Rockford because they beat us, but the big thing is it's not about Rockford. It’s about getting what we left in East Lansing and Rockford, which is a great coached team, was the next step.”
West Bloomfield (26-1) trailed the entire second half before Davis’ heroics.
“Before I took the shot, I told Summer (Davis, her twin sister) that I wanted the shot,” Davis said. “Give me the ball. As soon as that ball came off my hand, I knew it was good.
“That’s the type of shot you see in movies. You don’t think it's really going to go in, but we believed in it and practiced it. When it went in, it was our day.”
Summer Davis led the Lakers with 22 points and made 13 of 16 from the free throw line. She made 10 of 11 in overtime, accounting for all of West Bloomfield’s points during those additional minutes.
Indya Davis finished with 17 points and seven rebounds, the game-tying 3-pointer one of two she made from beyond the arc.
“I believe in her, so I wasn't about to question giving her the ball and it went in,” Summer Davis said. “It was a big surprise, but it wasn't because we came to win.”
McAllister wasn’t surprised to see that shot go in.
“That's Indya all day long, and we practice that,” he said. “I wasn't shocked by it because I knew at the end of the day they weren't ready to go home and schedule a banquet. They wanted to keep playing."
West Bloomfield will face Grand Blanc in Saturday’s Division 1 Final at 12:15 p.m.
The shot stunned the Rams (26-2), who appeared to be on their way to an opportunity to finish a repeat title run.
“I thought we were in a great position up three there in the closing moments,” Rockford coach Brad Wilson said. “We defended it pretty well, but hats off to them. They made a heck of a shot.
“It was tough when we saw that one go through. However, I think we really preached that (positive mentality) all season and we were ready to take on overtime and try and get the win.”
It was the third straight meeting at the Breslin between the two teams. West Bloomfield defeated Rockford in a Division 1 Semifinal in 2022 before the Rams’ victory last year – when Rockford took the final lead on a 3-pointer with 40 seconds to play.
“Losing to Rockford by four last year was unacceptable,” said Indya Davis, who finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. “We came back with a new fire this year, and we wanted to win. The rivalry between us and them is huge, and today we got the outcome.”
West Bloomfield led 15-10 in the first quarter, but the Rams responded and outscored the Lakers 19-5 in the second to take a 29-20 lead into halftime. A 7-0 run sparked the comeback, punctuated by Kate Higgins’ 3-pointer.
Despite the halftime deficit, the Lakers cranked up the defensive pressure and clawed back, getting to within six (39-33) after three quarters.
The Rams shot only 35 percent (15-43) from the field, including 4 of 19 from behind the 3-point arc. They were led by Anna’s Wypych’s 20 points. Jordan Mateer added 12 points, while Higgins, a sophomore, recorded 11 points and 13 rebounds.
PHOTOS (Top) West Bloomfield’s Destiny Washington (1) brings the ball up the court during Friday’s Division 1 Semifinal at Breslin Center. (Middle) Indya Davis (24) pulls up for a shot with Rockford’s Kate Higgins defender. (Photos by Hockey Weekly Action Photos.)