LBI: Inside the Game Summary

2016 MHSAA Districts Play

“Wayne Memorial Comes Back From Behind to Beat John Glenn”

Monday, February 29, 2016

Westland John Glenn High School

For the first 16 minutes in tonight’s KLAA District game it seemed like things were going smoothly for the John Glenn Rockets (11-9, 3-7 in Conference Play). They took on the Wayne Memorial Zebras (15-4, 8-2 in Conference Play) and seemed to dominate them in the first half thanks to the fast legs and great accuracy by Sophomore Guard Sharon Woodard. The question was at halftime, could it all last another 16 minutes?

Woodard by far was the most dominate player for John Glenn, a team with a lot more depth than Wayne Memorial, she would get two layups in the 1st as well as a late triple for the Rockets. On the other side of the court, the Zebras struggled with shooting, something that would affect them in the 1st half, however a late triple by Junior Forward Amara Chikwe would make them only trail by 6 after the 1st quarter.  Rockets led 17-11.

Woodard would continue her great performance in the 2nd as she would get another layup and another triple. The Zebras however closed the gap heading into half time in part thanks to big layups by Freshman Forward LiChail Gaines and Junior Guard Adrianna Gonzales. At the half, John Glenn was still out front 27-18.

Things would change in the 2nd half though for the Zebras. They start the 3rd quarter with a 7-1 run in part thanks to back-to-back baskets by Sophomore Guard Camree’ “The Beast That Swallowed Tokyo” Clegg. “They woke up the Beast,” said Wayne Memorial Head Coach Jarvis Mitchell. “She has that nickname because in big games like that she shows up.” Shortly after the Zebras got their first lead of the night, John Glenn would respond with their own 7-1 run thanks to layups by Woodard, Senior Guard Sierra Moseley and Senior Forward Nadia Reed.  After 3, the Zebras were now on top 42-38.

Wayne Memorial would keep their momentum going in the final quarter. Freshman Guard Jeanae Terry got a pick and roll to top off an 8-0 run but the Rockets weren’t done yet.  Moseley would get a layup then later score a triple after a missed and 1 by Sophomore Forward Carley Loving. John Glenn tried to keep up by increasing the aggression on defense but that would cause some mistakes.  The biggest being a nice wide open catch by Gonzales, who the Rockets took their eyes off of, she put up the layup and that would push them to victory. Zebras came back to win 60-49.

Leading scorers of the night: Wayne Memorial: Camree’ Clegg 21, Amara Chikwe 13, Adrianna Gonzales 12.  John Glenn: Sharon Woodard 16, Carley Loving 15, Sierra Moseley and Kimah Stribling 7.

Game and Team Highlights

Wayne Memorial:

• Camree’ “The Beast Who Swallowed Tokyo” Clegg really got hot in the 2nd half as she nailed plenty of triples and layups, her performance was a key factor in the Zebras comeback.
• The Zebras got better at shooting as well in the 2nd half as their biggest problem in the 1st half was not being able to finish drives thanks to missed shots.

John Glenn:

• Sharon Woodard was as much of a factor to John Glenn as Clegg was to Wayne Memorial but unfortunately Wayne Memorial was really trying to take her out of the game in the 2nd half.
• Carley Loving also had a nice performance as she put up 15 points off the bench.