Class C Semi-Finals Game Summary

Flint Hamady vs. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep

Thursday, March 19 at 2:50pm

Breslin Center

As the teams were warming up, I watched in awe at how focused and determined they were. They encouraged each other, chastised each other, and everyone was going game speed. I knew then that fans and supporters of both teams were in for a spectacular game.

The first half of the game hands down belonged to the Lady Hawks of Flint Hamady. Lead by junior guard Jalisha Terry, they seemed flawless and untouchable. Terry scored 12 points in the first half and no one was able to stop her. Senior forward Aliah Hill dominated in the paint grabbing five of her eight rebounds during Hamady’s run. Arbor Prep was able to get great looks at the basket, but wasn’t able to knock down anything. Going into halftime, the Lady Gators were down 14 points and did not look like the fast tempo and athletic team we have seen throughout this season. After the break, Arbor Prep seemed to snap out of the trans they were in and slowly but surely shifted the momentum of the game to their liking.  Applying full and three quarter court pressure, they forced multiple Hamady turnovers, were able to get quick and easy layups and slowed down Hamady’s Big 3; holding Terry to just 2 second half points. Their hard work paid off and with only 3:36 left in the game, Arbor Prep had cut the lead down to one. For the next three minutes these two teams would literally trade baskets, fouls and free throws, never giving up or in. With the entire gym on the edge of their seats and heart beats racing, Hamady holds on and pulls out the victory. They will face Calumet on Saturday, March 21 at 4:00p.m. for the Class C State Championship.

“Why I Love This Game” Fun Fact: Detroit Country Day beat Hamady, Arbor Prep beat Detroit Country Day, Hamady beat Arbor Prep...match ups are everything and can make what makes sense mean absolutely nothing. Anything is possible when the state title is on the line!

Game Highlights

Flint Hamady:

• 2015 5’ 11” Forward Aliah Hill led all scorers with 16 points. She also had 8 rebounds.

• 2016 5’ 7” Guard Jalisha Terry gave 14 points, 12 of which came in the first half.

• 2017 5’ 7” Guard Krystal Rice contributed 11 points and 8 rebounds. Before fouling out in the fourth, she grabbed 4 rebounds and knocked down two crucial free throws that sealed Hamady’s win.

• Their great communication on defense helped them to defend Arbor Prep’s dribble drive offense.

Ypsilanti Arbor Prep:

• Arbor Prep was unable to get a consistent rhythm going offensively in the first half. They did not get the ball to their leading scorer Nastassja Chambers enough and struggled on the left side of the court.

• 2016 5’ 9” Guard Nastassja Chambers had a team high 13 points, after only scoring 2 points in the first half. She also had a strong defensive fourth quarter with 3 steals and some deflections.

• The Lady Gators played great in the second half. They limited Hamady to 3 points in the third quarter and forced multiple turnovers. However, they were unable to score on a critical possession that would have given them their first lead and potentially the win.

   

**Follow R. Simone on Twitter @LBI_RSimone**