Powered Up for Another Title Run
March 15, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
EAST LANSING – There was a time, not long ago, when Flint Powers Catholic was expected to show up at the MHSAA Girls Basketball Finals just about every season.
And there’s been an expectation these last few years that the Chargers would soon return.
They needed overtime, but made good on that Friday by defeating Midland Bullock Creek 48-45 to advance to their first Class B championship game since 2001.
And it’s a run made all the more incredible given Powers’ 3-5 start this season, their Regional Semifinal upset of No. 1 Freeland – and that they came into this winter after posting an 8-13 record a year ago.
“We sort of had a weak start from the Ladywood game (on opening night), and from there we just started picking it up and playing as a team,” Powers senior Darbie Barkman said. “’We believe’ is a huge saying for us, and we just keep going and playing strong. No matter how many points we’re down; in the Freeland game we were down 16 points and came back from that. We just had to keep believing and keep going, and we just always have to push through as a team.”
Powers (21-6) will face either reigning champion Goodrich or Grand Rapids South Christian at 6 p.m. Saturday. Powers and Goodrich played in the same District last season, but found themselves on the opposite side of the bracket when lines were drawn for this season.
The Chargers are owners of four MHSAA girls basketball titles. And along with those banners, a message is posted in Powers’ gym, “We believe,” which became a necessary motto during the rough start against a tough slate including Class A Semifinalist Westland John Glenn.
Powers coach Thom Staudacher said the schedule was built so his team would know what it needed to improve on for the rest of the season. The Chargers now have won 12 straight.
But like in other wins during this run, it took a lot of small contributions from a number of players – and some big and small both from junior forward Michela Coury.
She scored, was fouled, and made the free throw to open overtime and give Powers a lead it would never relinquish. Coury finished with 14 points and 16 rebounds – including six on the offensive end.
But she also forced a travel during the final minute of the fourth quarter that helped preserve the regulation tie, and grabbed one of those offensive rebounds to ice the game after Powers missed two free throws with five seconds to go on overtime.
“We just knew it was going to come down to the last minute as far as who was going to make that last shot,” Staudacher said. “We’d been trying to feed (Coury) down low all game, but it was difficult to get her down there.
“To start that overtime, that three-point play was huge. That wasn’t the intention. We do a dribble drive, and we were working it right there. She was open, and we’ve got to feed her the ball."
Junior guard Sara Ruhstorfer led the Chargers with 16 points and junior guard Ally Haran added 12 with five assists and five steals.
Sophomore Halee Nieman led Bullock Creek with 15 points, 11 rebounds and four steals, while freshman forward Alyssa Mudd had 12 points and sophomore guard Hannah Heldt had nine, five assists and six steals. But the Lancers (23-4) fired only four shots during the overtime, and made only one.
Still, as coach Justin Freeland said after, most of the time when a team is outrebounded 47-28 it should mean a double-digit loss. Instead, Bullock Creek hung on through 11 lead changes and despite 17 Powers second-chance points.
“One thing we learned as a team is to not give up,” Heldt said. “In the Clare game (Quarterfinal), we were down 15, and probably a lot of people lost hope in us. But we just kept going.”
Bullock Creek has had other strong teams under Freeland, including a 23-1 finisher in 2006 and a 24-1 squad in 2007-08. But neither of those advanced out of the Regional.
This team entered the tournament unranked, but beat No. 2 Ludington at the Regional and fell just shy of its first championship game berth. Only three seniors graduate, and four starters should return.
“There are a lot of athletes, from the pros to college to high school, who thought, ‘We’re young. We’ll be back next year,’” Freeland said. “I don’t want to come back one year older. We need to come back one year better. Our mentality this offseason is not going to be happy. We’re going to be hungry. And I know everyone’s going to be on board with that.”
PHOTOS: (Top) Flint Powers Catholic guard Ally Haran pushes the ball upcourt during Friday's Semifinal against Bullock Creek. (Middle) Bullock Creek's Ellie Juengel (24) looks for a teammate while defended by Powers' Sara Ruhstorfer. (Photos by Hockey Weekly Action Photo.)
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).
MHSAA.com's weekly “Breslin Bound” previews and reviews 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.
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.)