Saginaw Heritage 58 Wayne Memorial 55
Grand Rapids, MI: Both Wayne Memorial and Saginaw Heritage were at this same dance last year. 1 of 4 teams left with a shot at the state championship. Wayne Memorial losing to East Lansing, Saginaw Heritage standing as the defending champs.
The first quarter of the game showed an anxious yet aggressive Wayne Memorial squad. Many of their shots were rushed and off balanced. However, they crashed the boards and rebounded very well on both ends. Heritage was a little more focused. Being patient on offense, talking on defense, and keeping their turnovers to a minimum.
By the middle of the second quarter, Wayne had calmed down, decreased their turnovers and started to play with more discipline. The Lady Hawks were not as aggressive as they were in the first quarter, but they made enough plays and shots to hold on to a 6 point lead at halftime.
Heritage opened the third quarter confident and relaxed, perhaps a little too confident and relax. Once Wayne Memorial turned up their full-court pressure, Heritage began to unravel and did not take care of the ball. Wayne did a great job of altering shots, getting steals, and finishing strong. The Zebras aggressive play not only shook Heritage, but it also increased their foul count, sending Heritage to the line and keeping them in the game.
The final quarter was nerve-wracking. Both teams were trading baskets and fighting for their life. With under 3:00 left to play, Wayne Memorial senior Sammiyah Hoskin gets a steal and layup and gives her team their first lead since early in the first quarter. After Miss Basketball candidates Moriah Joiner and Jeanae Terry trade threes and a few free throws, Heritage regains the lead and never let’s go. They move on to defend their title tomorrow against the winner of the Muskegon vs. Southfield A&T game.
Game Highlights
Wayne Memorial
• Kudos to the Lady Zebras and Jarvis Mitchell and staff on an amazing season. They were hungry, and it showed.
• Wayne Memorial struggled with turnovers and missed free throws throughout the entire game, and it ultimately cost them their shot at the championship.
• Although they did not get the win, Sammiah Hoskin and Jeanae Terry were great leaders on the court. They played their hearts out.
• Leading Scorers: Terry 26, Hoskin 14
• Kudos to the Lady Zebras and Jarvis Mitchell and staff on an amazing season. They were hungry, and it showed.
• Wayne Memorial struggled with turnovers and missed free throws throughout the entire game, and it ultimately cost them their shot at the championship.
• Although they did not get the win, Sammiah Hoskin and Jeanae Terry were great leaders on the court. They played their hearts out.
• Leading Scorers: Terry 26, Hoskin 14
Saginaw Heritage
• If Heritage wants to remain state champions, they must be consistent not only on their play but their energy, hustle and focus as well.
• Mo Joiner was the even kill that Heritage needed not to get frustrated and stop fighting. Big shots from Joiner and Dilts pushed the Lady Hawks to the finish line.
• McCartney hit some crucial shots, from deep and 12 feet from the basket to keep Heritage in the game.
• Leading Scorers: Strickland-Gill 15, Joiner 14
• If Heritage wants to remain state champions, they must be consistent not only on their play but their energy, hustle and focus as well.
• Mo Joiner was the even kill that Heritage needed not to get frustrated and stop fighting. Big shots from Joiner and Dilts pushed the Lady Hawks to the finish line.
• McCartney hit some crucial shots, from deep and 12 feet from the basket to keep Heritage in the game.
• Leading Scorers: Strickland-Gill 15, Joiner 14
Southfield A&T 54 Muskegon 50
Grand Rapids, MI: Southfield opened the game on fire! Their offense was flowing like a well-written verse on a nice beat. Their defense was smothering and overwhelming; everything was clicking. Muskegon ended the quarter with more fouls (4) than points, scoring only 2 points.
The Lady Reds started to show a little life in the second quarter, finally getting more points on the board midway through the quarter. Southfield did not skip a beat, getting the stops they needed and going into halftime up by double digits.
Whatever speech was given at halftime in Muskegon’s locker room worked. They opened the half playing much more aggressively. Led by junior Deshonna Day, the Reds went on an 8-2 run and forced Southfield to call a timeout and make adjustments. Muskegon continued to dig deep and fight their way from behind, dominating the third quarter, making it anyone’s game going into the final quarter.
Southfield never gave up; however, the rhythm and chemistry they had in the first half was long gone, and they were hanging on for dear life. Big buckets from senior Alexis Johnson kept them in the game and with a small lead. It was clear however that Muskegon had no intentions on stopping until the last buzzer rang. Both Day and Miss Basketball finalist Alyza Winston got big steals and baskets, cutting Southfield’s lead down to two with under 30 seconds left to play. A series of turnovers gave Southfield the ball back, forcing Muskegon to foul. Senior guard Soleil Barnes hit her free throws with 07 left in the game, sealing the victory for the Lady Warriors. They will face-off against Saginaw Heritage tomorrow for the Division I state championship.
Game Highlights
Muskegon
• The Lady Reds found their spark a little too late, and it cost them. When most teams would have quit, they kept fighting.
• Defense and aggressive offense was vital for Muskegon. Getting stops and drawing fouls allowed them to stop the clock, hit free throws and get back in the game.
• Leading Scorers: Winston 25, Day 13
• The Lady Reds found their spark a little too late, and it cost them. When most teams would have quit, they kept fighting.
• Defense and aggressive offense was vital for Muskegon. Getting stops and drawing fouls allowed them to stop the clock, hit free throws and get back in the game.
• Leading Scorers: Winston 25, Day 13
Southfield A&T
• The Southfield A&T we saw in the first quarter and most of the second are the team that needs to show up tomorrow for the championship game.
• Rebounding will be a crucial component for the Lady Warriors. Whoever controls the boards, will more than likely walk away champions.
• Leading Scorers: Johnson 18, Barnes and McEvans 12
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