LBI: Inside The Game Summary

2015 Ice Breaker Tournament

“John Glenn upsets Southfield Lathrup”

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Ypsilanti Arbor Prep

From the opening tip, it was very clear that these two teams came prepared to battle; to the point of there only being a two point difference in the score at the end of the first quarter. With both teams having two of the top backcourts in the state and unmatched dominate post players, we all knew this would be one for the ages.

Point guard Kalle Martinez was the game changer. She was poised at all times. She ran John Glenn’s offense, had very few turnovers, saw the court well to find the open man and showed that she is one of, if not the best, ball handler in the state. To put the cherry and sprinkles on top of the John Glenn sundae, she shot from long range with precision and right on time. Despite struggling in the third quarter and being plagued by turnovers, Lathrup did not back down. They crashed the boards and fought every minute of the game. Their efforts were just not enough to get over the hump and the #1 Class A team was defeated.

Deja Church for Lathrup led all scorers with 18 points. Backcourt mate senior Antoinette Miller finished with 14 points and 5 assists. John Glenn’s top scorer was Kalle Martinez with 18 points. Senior Post Cassidy Boensch contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds to the victory.

Game and Team Highlights

Southfield Lathrup:

• Lathrup was very aggressive in the first half. They must commit to playing that way the entire game if they want to make it to the Breslin.
• The Bello Twins were the missing link in this game. They have to be more effective for Lathrup to be successful.
• Being mentally tough is just as important as being physically sound. Lathrup’s emotions started to show in the third quarter and it eventually hurt them.

Bay City John Glenn:

• They executed their offense in superb fashion. They were patient and made great shot selections.
• Martinez is the oil that makes John Glenn run. If she continues to play the way she is playing, they will without a doubt be a contender for the Class B title.
• Although they are great shooters, John Glenn should keep their offense balanced; making sure their post doesn’t go too long without touching the ball.

LBI: Inside The Game Summary

2015 Ice Breaker Tournament

“Robichaud unable to hold off Liggett”

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Ypsilanti Arbor Prep

When these two teams faced off last year, they both looked totally different. Liggett was able to walk away with a very impressive win, but Robichaud took it as a lesson and went on to win 12 straight games. This year, due to injury and graduation, each team is very dependent on the play of their starting point guards. The two teams went back and forth the first half. One thing that crystal clear is that Robichaud was in dire need for someone to step up and help score. Their point guard junior Kayla Brown, had 19 of the teams 21 points at halftime. The second half belonged to Liggett. With Brown slowly running out of gas and Liggett receiving great play from Kendall McConico, they were able to keep a small but consistent lead and finished the game with the win.

Liggett’s point guard Nia Ahart finished with 16 points, while McConio lead the team with 17 points. Kayla Brown finished with a game high 26 points, including 5 three point shots. Monae Palmer contributed 7 points and 7 rebounds for the Bulldogs. Nicole Buffington had a team high 10 rebounds.

Game and Team Highlights

Grosse Pointe Liggett:

• The Knights played well together. They moved the ball as best they could and were never selfish.
• Ahart must receive help handling the ball if the Knights want to be successful this season.
• Kendall McConico must continue to play big and aggressive on offensive. This could help light a spark with the other role players.

Dearborn Heights Robichaud:

• As a team, the Bulldogs played must better than what was expected after losing 7 seniors, including All-State post Chavon Tiggs.
• Kayla Brown has to continue to lead the team offensively. She must stay aggressive in the second half of the game and average at least 25 points a game.
• Once Kamaria McDaniel is back in the lineup, the Bulldogs will have a huge boost on offense. Until then, the other players have to help out and relieve some of the pressure off Brown.

LBI: Inside The Game Summary

2015 Ice Breaker Tournament

“Country Day fights back to defeat Midland Dow”

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Ypsilanti Arbor Prep

The defending Class B state champs Detroit Country Day gave their fans a scare at the Ice Breaker Classic. The Yellow Jackets faced off against the Midland Dow Chargers, a Class A Final Four favorite, and didn’t look much like champions in the first half. Midland Dow came out throwing jabs and hitting long range threes to set the tone of the game. They crashed the boards and stopped Country Day from getting second chance shots. Country Day weren’t themselves offensively or defensively; racking up turnovers and allowing Midland Dow to make cuts and hit wide open shots. Unsure what the halftime speech was in the Yellow Jacket locker room, but whatever was said worked. They dominated Midland Dow in the third quarter scoring 29 points and overcoming a 14 point deficit. The Charges did all they could to fight back with outstanding shooting and defense from point guard Ellie Taylor, but their efforts were not enough and the defending state champs get the victory.

Destiny Pitts showed up big for Country Day, scoring 32 points and going 13-13 from the free throw line. Sophomore Kaela Webb finished with 18 points and 6 assist. The dynamic duo of Ellie Taylor and Kaylee Wasco gave big numbers for Midland Dow. Taylor scored 22 points and Wasco gave 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Game and Team Highlights

Country Day:

• Country Day has to start the way they want to finish. Not every team will allow them to score 29 points in a quarter.
• The Yellow Jackets have a pretty deep bench. Those players have to be ready to come into the game and be effective. This can help the team be unstoppable.
• Destiny Pitts had an excellent game and if her level of play continues, look for Country Day to make it back to the Breslin to defend their state title.

Midland Dow:

• The Chargers success is contingent on them understanding they have to be all gas, no brakes. Build a lead and keep it.
• Taylor is a phenomenal player. Her consistency and leadership is one of the key factors that can make or break her team.
• Midland Dow’s defensive intensity must match and even surpass their intensity on offense. You can score all the buckets in the world, but you can’t win if the other team is too.

2015 Ice Breaker Tournament

“River Rats dominate Gators to get the win”

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Ypsilanti Arbor Prep

When these two area rivals face up, it’s usually a great game to watch. That is exactly how the game started. Huron would finish the first quarter leading by 7. Then it seemed as though Arbor Prep got an energy boost and their “go hard” button was activated. However, in the last 18 seconds of the first half, Huron got two steals which converted into 4 points and sent the River Rats going into the locker room with the momentum in their favor and the lead. They never looked back. Arbor Prep played hard on every possession, but they weren’t able to score. Having flashbacks of their semi-final appearance last season, the Gators scored single digits in the 3rd and 4th quarters and could not get their offensive engines started. The result would be Huron winning the game by 18.

The Rivers Rats senior post Cheah Rael-Whitsit was the energy spark for her team. She was resilient and dominated the post on both ends of the court. She finished with a double-double, 14 points and 11 rebounds. Mia Long also scored 14 points for Huron. The Gators only had one player in double digits. Senior stand-out and leading scorer, Nastassja Chambers finished with 10 points. Roh’Zane Wells contributed 8 points.

Game and Team Highlights

Ann Arbor Huron:

• Although Huron was able to get a great win, they must be careful with the amount of turnovers they commit. Too many turnovers will allow them to give a team the game.
• Consistency from their guards and shooters is needed throughout this season for Huron to continue to be successful.
• The young River Rats are giving quality minutes. This will help them come tournament time.

Ypsilanti Arbor Prep:

• The Gators are a team that plays hard. They have to find a way to save some energy and strength for the offensive end to be able to finish shots.
• Chambers is the go to person for this team. She must own that responsibility and takeover when her team needs her.
• A player that knows their role is an asset to their team. There were times when players seemed to be having an identity crisis. Everyone must play their part if the Gators want to make it back to the Breslin.

LBI: Inside The Game Summary

2015 Ice Breaker Tournament

“Southfield survives a nail-biter against Chandler Park”

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Ypsilanti Arbor Prep

The final game of the day was the showdown between Southfield and Chandler Park. The pace of this game was fast and if you didn’t pay close attention, you would miss something. These two teams went to war from start to finish. There were approximately 8-10 lead changes and tons of shots going in the air. On paper, the two teams are almost identical, and the box scores are there to show it. The last two minutes of the game were intense and caused an emotional rollercoaster amongst the fans. Southfield held the lead for the majority of the second half. In a last minute push, Chandler Park went on an 8-0 run to take the lead by 2. Southfield however refused to accept defeat and went on a run of their own, led by freshman Alexis Johnson, to finish the game and seal the victory.

Alexis Johnson had a team and game high of 14 points and accompanied by 8 rebounds. Mykquel Williams was the top scorer for Chandler Park, giving her team 10 points.

Game and Team Highlights

Chandler Park:

• Chandler Park is a real scrappy, hard nose team. If they can keep that intensity without committing tons of fouls, they will increase their chances of having a winning season.
• Although they were able to get plenty of shots in the air, they must focus on making better shot selections and being patient on offense.
• Playing as a team will help Chandler Park defeat teams this year. Trusting each other to do their part will go a long way.

Southfield:

• Slow down! On offense and defense, many mistakes were made simply because they were rushing.
• Southfield is an aggressive team, however it is important for them to find a way to be aggressive and stay out of foul trouble.
• If Southfield would like to keep their winning streak going, they have to execute more on offense, including finishing with contact. This is especially important for their up and coming post player, Alexis Johnson.

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