Class C Final Summary

Flint Hamady vs. Calumet

March 21, 2015 4:00 PM

Breslin Center, East Lansing

Flint Hamady started the game with a hard punch going on a 6-0 run. They dominated every aspect of the game for the 1st quarter. The score was 8-2 leading into the media timeout. 2016 Jalisha Terry hit a 16 footer right after the timeout. It took Calumet 4:30 minutes to get on the score board which led me to believe at that this could be a long game for them. The last couple minutes of the quarter calumet started to look like a team that deserves to be at the Breslin Center playing for a state championship. After being held scoreless in the early parts of the quarter Calumet finished up with 8 points.

The second quarter started a little different with momentum starting to swing in favor of Calumet. They began to move the ball well on offense, which opened up the flood gates for a 3 point shooting spree lead by senior guard Alexis Rowe. The great offensive run gave Calumet tons of energy on the defensive end as they began to get multiple stops on the end of the floor. When Aaliah Hill for Hamady picked up her third foul things really got a little shaky for Hamady. Calumet’s good shooting continued and their confidence grew more and more. They ended the first half with a huge 3 point basket from Alexis Rowe with 2 seconds left and tied 27-27 with Hamady.

The excitement continued in the second half for Calumet. They came out with a small 6-2 run that gave us the clue that they felt they could win this game. Calumet started to get rebounds and loose balls they weren’t able to get in the first half. The spurts of hot shooting that both teams displayed in the first half slowed down. Senior Ellen Twardzik pulled down rebound after rebound and scored lay-up after lay-up giving Calumet the inside presence they needed to try win this game.

This game didn’t come easy for Calumet as Hamady continued to fight to regain control. The Lady Hawks applied full court pressure that interrupted every run the Calumet started. They had quite a few steals and forced turnovers. It just didn’t seem to be enough. Calumet began to pull the ball out forcing Hamady to foul. While shooting free throws in the one and one bonus, three times in a row Calumet would make the first shot and miss the second one, only to get the offensive rebound to be fouled again. Those free throws along with easy lay ups stemming from their offensive execution allowed them to pull away with 57-49 victory over Flint Hamady. A 20 point fourth quarter gave Calumet all they needed to win their first ever State Championship.

Game Highlights

Hamady

• 2016 Jalisha Terry scored 16 first half points and finished with 26 points. She played excellent on both ends of the court.

• 2015 Aaliah Hill finished with 9 points and 12 rebounds despite being in foul trouble during the first half of the game.

• 2017 Deajah Cofield shot the ball well and finished with 9 points, which included a huge three in the last three minutes of the game.

Calumet

• 2015 Lexi Rowe finished with 22 points knocking down four 3 point buckets.

• Seniors Terrilynne Budreau and Ellen Twardzick combined for 23 rebounds

• Calumet was very aggressive on the boards, which was key in their second half run, and ultimately their victory.

**Follow Nate Brown on Twitter @LBI_Nate**