Marshall Leaves No Room for Regrets
March 19, 2016
By Bill Khan
Special for Second Half
EAST LANSING — Sal Konkle couldn't hold back the tears as she watched her Marshall basketball players celebrate the fulfillment of a dream that appeared to vanish 35 years ago.
Konkle was a star senior on the only other Marshall team to play for an MHSAA championship, but she was on the losing end of a 64-52 decision to Okemos in the 1981 Class B title game.
In almost every case, that's where the dream ends. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes and goes. High school athletes move on with the rest of their lives, but can have lingering regrets about the championship that got away.
The first step toward redemption for Konkle occurred back in 1999 when she became Marshall's head coach and won her first 23 games. But 11 District championship teams in her first 15 seasons couldn't take it all the way.
Her 16th season proved to be the sweetest, as Marshall beat Grand Rapids South Christian, 51-42, in the Class B championship game Saturday night at the Breslin Center.
"I got numerous texts from former teammates saying we can do it," Konkle said. "One is in the stands. She called me this morning. She said to me, 'Hey, I know you're busy, and I'll be there, but not a lot of people get do-overs in life, and you got a do-over. So, can you just make this happen?' I got a text from coach (Tom) Duffey, who was my coach at the time. He said, 'Second time's a charm; you've got this.'"
Making the championship even more special for Konkle is she was able to achieve it with her 14 daughters — her actual flesh and blood, junior guard Jill Konkle, and 13 other girls she regards as adopted children.
"They're kind of all my girls," coach Konkle said. "When you grow up in a small town, these kids are over at your house. Jill hangs out with them. They go to proms. They do everything together. That's what makes it so special for us. These kids are close. This is something they're going to remember the rest of their lives. I remember doing it with my best friends. It's just very, very special."
Jill Konkle said her mother doesn't bring up tales of her glory days or the opportunity that got away in 1981 often, but the topic came to the forefront more in recent weeks as the current group of Marshall players chased that elusive championship. This year's team and the 1981 squad are the only ones from Marshall to get past the MHSAA Quarterfinals.
"Only because we got this far did we talk about it more," said Jill Konkle, who scored a team-high 13 points against South Christian. "Other than that, not as much. She did bring it up with the team a bit. We talked about it the last couple of weeks quite a bit. I was always telling her, 'I'm gonna get it. I'm gonna beat you,' and I did."
Marshall won the Class B title with a group of girls who have played together since their early elementary school years. It was back in those formative years that they became acquainted with the woman who would coach them to a championship as teenagers.
"We all have this respect for her," said Emily Delmotte, the only senior on the team. "I've had it since I was little, watching her teams since I can remember. She's always been a presence. It's not like the kind of coach that as soon as you get into high school is the first time you meet her. In basketball, the first time I met her was in first or second grade. She makes herself present. She's a part of the program, no matter what age you are."
Coach Konkle's pregame message to her team hinted at the lingering pain of that 1981 loss.
"I told them, 'You can do anything for 32 minutes,'" she said. "'If you do this for 32 minutes, you're going to be state champions. If you don't do it for 32 minutes, you're going to regret that for the rest of your life.' Every timeout, every quarter, I'm telling them, 'Eight more minutes, eight more minutes, you've got this. Or 3:20, you've got this.' They're a resilient group. They're a hard-working group — and they got this."
With the largest cheering section of the weekend in their corner, the Redhawks took the lead with 2:01 left in the first quarter and never relinquished it. Marshall built a 12-point lead late in the first half before taking a 25-15 advantage into the break.
When Nicole Tucker scored on the fast break with 4:24 left in the third quarter, Marshall had its biggest lead of the night at 33-19.
South Christian, which had three seniors who played on the 2014 MHSAA runner-up team, battled back. A basket by Mariel Bruxvoort with 6:44 left in the game cut Marshall's lead to 37-32.
The Redhawks responded with a 5-0 run, all from the free throw line, to go up 42-32. What could have been a key moment for the Sailors came when Markayla Vander made a free throw and missed the second one, only to have Bruxvoort score off an offensive rebound and get fouled. When Bruxvoort made the free throw, South Christian had four points in a one-second span to get within 42-36 with 3:38 left.
The Sailors didn't get a chance to build on that momentum, as Taryn Long made a 3-point play with 3:10 left to put Marshall up 45-36. South Christian couldn't put together consecutive scores the rest of the game.
"It took us a little while to get into an offensive flow," South Christian coach Kim Legge said. "Actually, I'm not really sure we did get into an offensive flow. Marshall did a good job with their defense on us. Obviously, they had scouted well. We've been behind before and usually can make runs, but they did an excellent job of stopping that. The momentum never did swing to our favor."
Taryn Long finished with 10 points and Carlee Long had five assists for Marshall (26-1), which won its final 26 games after a season-opening 40-33 loss to Williamston.
Vander had 16 points and Jennifer DeBoer 13 for the Sailors (25-3), who had only four players score. Vander, DeBoer and Sydney DeYoung were the only holdovers from the 2014 South Christian team that went into the Class B title game with a 26-0 record before losing to Eaton Rapids.
"It's definitely been a fun four years," DeBoer said. "I've enjoyed every second of the experience. I think the thing I'm going to miss the most are my teammates and all the memories we made. I'll never get these experiences back, so I'm just really thankful for them."
The Girls Basketball Finals are presented by Sparrow Health System.
PHOTOS: (Top) Marshall players storm the floor while coach Sal Konkle, far left, covers her face for a moment after her team had clinched the Class B title. (Middle) Jill Konkle works to hold onto the ball with South Christian’s Jennifer DeBoer (4) trying to gain possession.
Countdown to Calvin: Girls Quarterfinal Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 19, 2019
The clock is ticking as the Countdown to Calvin will be over by the time this evening is done.
All 16 Girls Basketball Quarterfinals will played at sites all over the state tonight, with winners advancing to Van Noord Arena and Semifinals beginning Thursday in Divisions 3 and 4.
Our final “Countdown to Calvin” report of 2018-19 – powered by MI Student Aid – takes a glance at all 16 Quarterfinals, which tip off at 7 p.m. unless noted. All Quarterfinals will be broadcast and viewable with subscription on MHSAA.tv. Come back Wednesday night for a more in-depth look at our 16 finalists as they head into this weekend.
DIVISION 1
Saginaw Heritage (22-2) vs. Hartland (22-3) at Grand Blanc
Reigning Class A champion Heritage avenged a league title-deciding loss to Midland Dow with a 15-point win in the Regional Final, and a heralded group of seniors – Miss Basketball Award runner-up Moira Joiner (18.8 points per game), Shine Strickland-Gills (12.8) and Mallory McCartney (10.5) – are leading the repeat charge. Hartland is the power on the rise – the Eagles don’t have a senior starter. Junior Whitney Sollom (10.9 ppg, 8.6 rebounds per game) leads a balanced attack. Heritage won their Dec. 11 meeting 55-35.
Temperance Bedford (20-5) vs. Wayne Memorial (23-2) at West Bloomfield, 5 p.m.
There may not be a more balanced team left in the playoffs than Bedford, as no player averages more than 7.8 ppg and the two leading scorers don’t even start. The team’s only in-state losses this season came by two to 19-win Ann Arbor Pioneer – avenged by a six-point victory – and by one to 15-win Saline, avenged by 10 points in the rematch. Wayne is back after making the Semifinals a year ago, and its only losses this season were both to Division 2 favorite Detroit Edison. Senior guard Jeanae Terry, a University of Illinois recruit, leads an experienced group looking to take the final steps.
Southfield Arts & Technology (22-1) vs. St. Clair Shores Lakeview (19-5) at West Bloomfield
Only an early two-point loss to Heritage has kept Southfield A&T from a perfect run so far. The Warriors, semifinalists two years ago, boast a dangerous 1-2 punch of senior Alexis Johnson (19.2 ppg) and junior Cheyenne McEvans (17.1 ppg). Lakeview can win 20 games for the third straight season and is coming off its first Regional championship in this sport. The Huskies avenged one of their defeats in downing Fraser in the District Final.
Muskegon (20-4) vs. DeWitt (23-2) at Kalamazoo Loy Norrix
The Big Reds are repeat Regional champions and looking to take the next step as Miss Basketball finalist Alyza Winston (24.5 ppg) finishes her high school career. Muskegon has won 16 straight on the court and avenged its opening-night loss to East Kentwood in the Regional Semifinal. DeWitt has won at least 21 games the last three seasons and four of the last five, breaking through for its first Regional title since finishing Class A runner-up in 2015. Senior Annie McIntosh (14.8 ppg) has helped set pace for the Panthers, who have two losses by a combined eight points to rivals East Lansing and St. Johns – and avenged both.
DIVISION 2
Cadillac (21-3) vs. Freeland (22-2) at Mount Pleasant
Freeland is coming off its third straight Regional title to set up this rematch of a 2017 Quarterfinal won by the Falcons. Junior Kadyn Blanchard (14.9 ppg) leads three players scoring in double figures for a team that has won 18 straight and lost only to Division 1 Heritage and Dow. Cadillac won the Big North Conference title by a wide margin on the way to its second Regional title. Sophomore guard Molly Anderson (16 ppg) also leads three scoring in double digits.
Grand Rapids South Christian (15-9) vs. Hamilton (24-0) at Hope College
Somewhat quietly, Hamilton is a combined 71-6 over the last three seasons with two straight Regional titles. The Hawkeyes will try to follow last year’s first-ever Quarterfinal berth with a first trip to the Semifinals, and beat South Christian 62-42 in their season opener. Sophomore 6-foot-2 center AJ Ediger leads at 20.2 ppg. The Sailors have rebounded from a 2-5 start and upset Muskegon Oakridge in the Regional Final. Senior guard Sydney Cleary (12.3 ppg) leads a balanced lineup.
Haslett (18-6) vs. Chelsea (24-1) at Fowlerville
Chelsea has reached the Quarterfinals for the first time, its only loss by two to Division 1 Ann Arbor Pioneer in the regular-season finale. Haslett has won 13 of its last 15 and avenged two losses to Williamston and one to Jackson Northwest by eliminating both during the postseason. Both teams have one player scoring in double digits – for Chelsea, senior guard Abigale Fullerton leads at 11.6 ppg, while senior guard Ella McKinney paces Haslett at 13.7 ppg.
Detroit Edison (24-1) vs. Goodrich (14-10) at St. Clair County Community College
Edison is the reigning Class C champion and features newly-honored Miss Basketball winner Rickea Jackson (22.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg). Junior Gabrielle Elliott (17.4 ppg) and sophomore Damiya Hagemann (14 ppg, 8.1 apg) would star for most other teams in the state. Edison’s only loss came to Ohio power Columbus Africentric, by five. Goodrich won its sixth Regional title this decade after entering the postseason .500. Junior guard Maddie Voelker (24.2 ppg) leads a rising team with no seniors.
DIVISION 3
Ishpeming Westwood (24-1) vs. Lake City (21-2) at Gaylord
Westwood is making its first Quarterfinal appearance since 2008; Lake City is making its first since 1976. The Patriots’ only loss came to rival Negaunee and has been avenged twice. Junior guards Madelyn Koski (15.8 ppg) and Tessa Leece (15.2) make up a strong backcourt. After finishing second to Manton in the Highland Conference, Lake City hasn’t had a playoff game closer than 14 points. Junior forward Rylie Bisballe (16.8 ppg) leads three averaging double-digit scoring.
Royal Oak Shrine (20-5) vs. Flint Hamady (19-5) at Lapeer, 6 p.m.
Hamady is back for its seventh Quarterfinal this decade after missing the final week last season. All of the Hawks’ losses were to Division 1 and 2 teams, including one to Goodrich (noted above), and they handed Hemlock its only loss this season in winning the Regional Final. Shrine is making its first Quarterfinal appearance since 1995 after winning league regular-season and tournament titles and beating two league champs in last week’s Regional. Senior guard Grace Murray leads at 15 ppg.
Adrian Madison (23-1) vs. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (18-6) at Tecumseh
Madison is riding high from its first Regional championship, with only a four-point loss to 15-win Manchester keeping it from perfection so far this winter. Center Laura Teunion-Smith (13 ppg, 12 rpg) is one of four senior starters who have contributed to this historic run. Arbor Prep has made six straight Quarterfinals and is seeking to make its fifth straight Semifinal. Freshman Mya Petticord has stepped in big this winter at 19.3 ppg and 3.3 assists per game.
Pewamo-Westphalia (24-1) vs. Niles Brandywine (23-2) at Middleville Thornapple Kellogg
The Pirates, the 2017 Class C runners-up and 2018 semifinalists, also have lost only to Edison this season as they seek their first championship. Junior forward Hannah Spitzley and junior guard Ellie Droste are the leading scorers, both at 13.9 ppg. Brandywine won its seventh Regional title this decade and first since 2016, with losses only to Division 2 Comstock. Junior guard Zakiyyah Abdullah leads at 14.1 ppg.
DIVISION 4
Baraga (21-3) vs. St. Ignace (25-0) at Escanaba
St. Ignace has made the Quarterfinals every season this decade and is seeking to return to the Semifinals for the first time since 2015. Senior 6-foot forward Emily Coveyou scores 22.9 points and grabs 10.2 rebounds per game for a team that has won all five of its postseason matchups by at least 42 points. Baraga steps in coming off its first Regional title since 1993 and with a win over 2018 Class D runner-up Chassell along the way. Five of the team’s seven players are underclassmen, with sophomore Rylie Koskinen (11.2 ppg) and senior Martina Jahfetson (11 ppg) leading the way.
Clarkston Everest Collegiate (14-9) vs. Kingston (23-2) at Burton Bendle, 6 p.m.
Kingston is playing in its fourth Quarterfinal in five seasons and again seeking to make the Semifinals for the first time. Senior Lily Lyons (11.2 ppg) is the lead scorer for a team that has fallen only to Division 1 Utica Eisenhower and Oxford. Everest Collegiate also is seeking its first Semifinal berth and has made it this far once before, in 2014. The Mountaineers are paced by 6-0 senior center Katelyn Allen (15 ppg, 11.1 rpg).
Gaylord St. Mary (22-2) vs. Fowler (16-7) at Clare
After winning its fifth Regional title this decade, St. Mary is looking to reach the Semifinals for the first time since 2002. The Snowbirds’ only losses were to Division 2 Escanaba and Division 3 Traverse City St. Francis. Senior guard Livee Jeffers leads at 14.4 ppg. Fowler is in its first Quarterfinal and seeking its first Semifinal both since finishing Class D runner-up in 1999. The Eagles, playing in the same league as Pewamo-Westphalia among a group of strong teams from larger schools, are paced by freshman guard Mia Riley (11.7 ppg) and sophomore guard Sarah Veale (11.3).
Fruitport Calvary Christian (20-5) vs. Adrian Lenawee Christian (23-2) at Richland Gull Lake
Calvary Christian has built on seven straight league and six straight District titles with its first Regional championship. Junior 6-0 guard Kelsey Richards leads three in double figures averaging 20.5 ppg. Calvary now must face reigning Class D champion Lenawee Christian, led again by 6-2 sophomore forward Bree Salenbien (23.6 ppg, 9.0 rpg) and junior guard Dani Salenbien (13.6 ppg).
Second Half’s weekly “Countdown to Calvin” reports are powered by MI Student Aid, a part of the Student Financial Services Bureau 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, including various student financial assistance programs to help make college more affordable for Michigan students. MI Student Aid administers the state’s 529 savings programs (MET/MESP) and eight additional aid programs within its Student Scholarships and Grants division. Click for more information and connect with MI Student Aid on Facebook and Twitter @mistudentaid.
PHOTO: Kingston's Hannah James goes to the basket against Akron-Fairgrove in a Division 4 District Semifinal win. (Click for more from Varsity Monthly.)