Grand Rapids, MI: These two Division I powerhouses gave us the game that we knew they would. From the opening tip, the game was up& down and physical. Southfield jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead, but Heritage quickly matched their five and moved ahead. Mallory McCartney hit a three-point basket with 22 left in the quarter. Soleil Barnes promptly came down the court and hit her second three-pointer of the game.

Unlike the first quarter, Southfield seemed to be a little off their game. Unforced turnovers, easy shots missed and fouls took a toll on their game and Heritage used it to their advantage. The turned turnovers into points and hit key shots. Freshman Keyonie Champion played big for the Lady Hawks, snagging some big rebounds and drawing the foul when going up strong at the rim. Heritage was able to hold Southfield to only four points for the quarter. 

Heritage picked up where they left off to start the third quarter. Both Moria Joiner and Mallory McCartney sank big long-distance shots, and Champion was once again in the right place at the right time for an easy bucket. Southfield was forced to call a timeout in an attempt to regroup and stifle the fire that building in the Lady Hawks. Barnes continued to give her all on both ends of the court. Cheyenne McEvans was able to earn a bucket and foul at the end of the quarter, hoping to give her team some motivation going into the fourth.

The final quarter belonged to Saginaw Heritage. No matter how hard Southfield fought, Heritage never let up. Spectacular plays and smart decisions sealed the game for the Lady Hawks. They become back-to-back Division I champions. 

Game Highlights

Southfield A&T
•    Whatever was brewing inside of Soleil Barnes, she should have bottled and given to her team. She played her heart out on every possession. She hit four threes in the game and was huge on defense. 
•    Southfield loss their momentum early in the game and never did fully recover.
•    Leading Scorers: Barnes 14, McEvans 13

Saginaw Heritage
•    Joiner and Strickland-Gill’s leadership was the solid foundation that helped push Heritage to the finish line. Their teammates fed off of their energy.
•    Champion is the unsung hero for Heritage. Her 12 points and exceptional rebounding was not something Southfield expected.
•    Leading Scorers: Strickland-Gill and Joiner 16,  Champion 12  

Grand Rapids, MI: The caliber of this game is why I love basketball so much. The rising “rookie” facing off against the experienced “veteran.” Both teams and coaches were showing that they respect each other’s game, but also showing they have no plans of backing down. 

The first and second quarters were played like it was the end of the fourth quarter. The game was fast paced and full of great plays. St. Ignace identified themselves as the aggressor on the court right away. They were not afraid of contact and played excellent one on one coverage, earning several steals that resulted in easy layups. Lenawee took on the role of executor. They moved the ball around and knocked down shots from all over the court, with the Salenbien sisters, Danielle and Breanna, leading the way. D. Salenbien scored the Lady Cougar’s last five points of the half, giving them a two-point lead at the break.

The third quarter was truly a blur. These two teams were more determined and focused than ever. No one was able to score for almost three minutes when St. Ignace finally broke the ice. They continued to go back and forth, one huge defensive stop after another, one great shot after another. They held each other to single-digit points for the quarter. With only twenty-two seconds left, B. Salenbien got a steal and easy layup. Within a matter of a couple of seconds, Hallie Marshall came down on the other end and knocked down a jump shot for St. Ignace. Lenawee Christian would only have a one-point lead going into the final quarter. 

The final quarter would mimic the third. The key difference was that Lenawee Christian became more aggressive on offense, attacking the rim, drawing fouls and executing at the free throw line. This would be what pushed the Lady Cougars slightly ahead. Emily Coveyou did all she could to try and get her team over the 2-3 point hump, but it was just not enough. Lenawee Christian would go on to claim the Division IV state title.

Game Highlights

Lenawee Christian
•    The Salenbien sisters are very special. They pack a potent 1-2 punch, and I’m excited we get to watch them play together one more year. 
•    Lenawee’s consistency is how they won the game. Everyone played their role from start to finish, and their chemistry flowed.
•    Leading Scorers: D. Salenbien 19, B. Salenbien 17

St. Ignace
•    St. Ignace should hold their heads high! Although they did not win, they played at a championship level. Congratulations to them on a great season.
•    St. Ignace man-to-man defense was very impressive. Clean steals or “pocket picking” with a strong finish at the rim is what I like to call classic basketball.
•    Leading Scorers: Coveyou 17, E. Hart and Marshall 11  

Grand Rapids, MI: In this battle of two teams with very rich traditions of winning, the atmosphere was tense, and you could see on everyone’s face that butterflies were definitely fluttering in everyone’s stomach. 

The first two quarters The Hamady Hawks seemed to play a little anxious. They missed shots that they’ve made a million times before and they weren’t taking care of the ball. PW also seemed unlike themselves except for one thing, REBOUNDS! At the half, they had outrebounded Hamady an astonishing 16 -4. They never allowed any second chance attempts. PW also made into the paint at will, causing Hamday’s strong frontcourt of Aryana Naylor and Treshonda Williams to pick up fouls. At halftime, PW had a six-point lead.

Hamady started the third quarter appearing to be more focused and playing “their” style of basketball. Within 3:00 into the game, that quickly shifted, and they looked more frustrated than before. Both teams started playing more physical and aggressive. Both teams did an excellent job of protecting the basket and denying access to the rim. However, the risk that comes with playing physical is players getting in foul trouble, which is precisely what happened to PW, when their top two scorers, Hannah Spizley and Ellie Droste, pick up their 4th fouls. 

Hamady turned up their pressure in the final quarter, and PW was not ready. The Hawks forced multiple turnovers and even more steals; however they struggled to convert and take advantage of the opportunities. 

With 3:43 left in the game, Spizley fouled out, which shifted things for PW in a big way. Hamady quickly cut their deficit down to two. The momentum moved in the Hawks favor, but they could not convert. Multiple missed shots resulted in PW rebounds and forced Hamady to start the fouling game. Rachel Huhn sank four consecutive free-throws pushing the game out of reach. Pewamo-Westphalia would be crowned the Division III State Champions.

Game Highlights

Pewamo-Westphalia
•    Although Hamady was much bigger, PW outrebounded the Hawks (29-19) which ultimately sealed the game for them.
•    Despite being in foul trouble, Droste played smart basketball and help carry her team to the end.
•    Leading Scorers: Droste 17, Huhn 10

Hamady
•    Hamady played really aggressive and physical, but also emotional which at times affected their game.
•    Hamady went 1-4 on their last shot attempts. If they had made just one more shot OR hit the crucial free throws, this game would have ended differently. 
•    Leading Scorers: Tartt 15

Grand Rapids, MI: After a hard-fought battle from behind to make it to the championship game, everyone could not wait to see if Freeland’s energy was still high, and more importantly if it would be enough to defeat Detroit Edison.

The opening quarter belonged to the Lady Pioneers. Although they had some turnovers and careless fouls, they controlled the tempo and forced Freeland to play at their pace. Within a few minutes into the second quarter, Freeland shook off the spell that Edison had them under and started knocking down big shots. They also turned on their full-court pressure and caused Edison to commit some unforced turnovers. Although they were behind double digits at the half, Freeland was definitely not out of arms reach.

The final quarter opened up with each team trading three-point baskets. First Damiya Hagman sank one from deep in the corner, which was quickly answered by Kadyn Blanchard. Hagman on the very next possession hit another three, this time the response came from Alyssa Argyle. Freeland continued to fight, getting big baskets from Blanchard, Argyle, and Lily Beyer. However, the Lady Falcons did not have an answer for the 2019 Miss Basketball winner, Rickea Jackson. Jackson was unstoppable. Combined with the play and passes from Hagman, and great execution from Gabrielle Elliot, Edison overpowered Freeland and won their third straight state title. 

Game Highlights

Detroit Edison
•    Edison looked great! Everything was clicking at the right time.
•    Jackson, Elliott, and Hagman were an unstoppable combination. 
•    Leading Scorers: Jackson 28, Elliott 15, Hagman 13

Freeland
•    Freeland gave Edison the most trouble out of all the teams they played this tournament.
•    The Lady Falcons showed a lot of heart. They not once slowed down or looked defeated. 
•    Leading Scorers: Argyle 18, Blanchard 16, Kloha 11

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