2016 Class B Semi-Finals Game Recap

Grand Rapids South Christian vs. Detroit Country Day

Friday, March 18, 2016

Breslin Center

In the first Class B semi-finals matchup, the Sailors of Grand Rapids South Christian (24-2) faced off against the 2015 Class B champs, the Yellowjackets of Detroit Country Day. Both teams would start the game of with identical plays from involving the same two players. Junior wing Destiny Pitts would drive to the basket, drawing the foul from South Christian’s senior wing Markayla Vander. The very next play Vander would return the favor to Pitts, completing an old fashion three point play. Vander was not finished. She would get another three point play on the next possession, and then a third a few minutes later. Both teams played scrappy defense the entire quarter, resulting in 6 jump balls and possession arrow changes. The biggest difference would be finishing on the offensive end; South Christian was successful, Country Day was not. The Yellowjackets would end the quarter down 14-6 and in a 6-1 foul situation.

The second quarter would start off almost exactly like the first. Senior Isabella Scott would get the layup and the foul within the first two minutes of the quarter, adding to the Sailors lead. Country Day continued to struggle to hit a shot and did not score until the 2:09 mark, with a steal and layup from Pitts. Sophomore point guard Kaela Webb tried to get something going for her team and was able to drive to the basket and finish with a nice wrap around layup. The effort would not bother South Christian and they held onto a 10 point lead going into halftime. Country Day finished the half shooting only 18.2% from the field and with 12 turnovers.

Two minutes into the third quarter, things seem to go from bad to worse for Country Day when Pitts picked up a player control foul giving her, her 4th. With their leader on the bench in foul trouble, the Yellowjackets dug deep to pick up the tempo on both ends of the court. This effort was sparked by a bucket from Webb, and another bucket from sophomore post Maxine Moore, cutting the Sailors lead down to 8. The Sailors however continued to fight back. They ran the floor and completed transition plays, including a stop and pop shot from Mariel Bruxvoort. After struggling in the first half, Tyler Bennett was able to get two crucial layups for Country Day, but soon after she picked her third foul, and then her fourth.

Country Day would come out locked and loaded kicked in the fourth quarter, starting off with a nice post move and layup from Moore, followed by a three point play from Pitts. South Christian would counter Country Day’s energy and effort with big baskets and defensive stops of their own. The two teams would go back and forth for most of the quarter. With under two minutes left in the game, senior guard Erica Tolbert fouls out and Country Day finds themselves down 6. Despite three point baskets from both Webb and Pitts, South Christian would keep their composure, hit 6 straight free throws and finish the game victorious. They will meet the winner of the Bay City John Glenn vs. Marshall game in the Class B championship.

Leaders: GR South Christian – DeBoer 18, Vander 14, Deyoung 6; Country Day – Pitts 14, Moore 13, Webb 11.

Game Highlights

South Christian:

• The team that never quits should be the slogan for the Sailors. No matter what was going on, they never seemed to get rattled.

• Vander was the spark plug for South Christian today. She not only was able to finish some big plays, but also played great defense against a very talented Country Day squad.

• South Christian did a magnificent job of crashing the boards. They out rebounded Country Day 39-30.

Country Day:

• The Yellowjackets were perfect from the free throw line but only 32% from the field. They struggled for three quarters to get their offense clicking.

• Fouls hurt Country Day in the long run. Key players were in foul trouble early and unable to give their normal amount of minutes.

• The 2015 Class B champs are young and have a lot more to give. Don’t be surprised if you see them at the Breslin again next year, ready to reclaim their title.

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