2016 Class B Semi-Finals Game Recap

Marshall vs. Bay City John Glenn

Friday, March 18, 2016

Breslin Center

IIn game two of the Class B semi-finals, the Bay City John Glenn Bobcats (25-1) would face off against the Marshall Redawks (24-1). The overall favorite and #2 ranked Bobcats would start the game of striking first with a three point, all net shot from junior guard Kalle Martinez. Marshall would play aggressive defense, causing John Glenn to turn the ball over and miss easy layups. The Redhawks would also hit some big shots including some deep three pointers from Jill Konkle and Nicole Tucker. Marshall would finish the quarter with a 6 point lead.

Marshall would pick up where they left off in the second quarter, forcing the Bobcats to take some uncomfortable shots. Half way through the quarter, Carlee Long would get a steal but miss the layup. Lucky for her teammate Emily Delmotte was trailing and got the rebound and put back, giving Marshall an 8 point lead. John Glenn would call a timeout and come back on the court refocused. Senior guard Jenai LaPorte would knock down back to back threes and complete a three point play. The Bobcats would also get a big block from Cassidy Boensch to close out the half. Marshall would hang onto a one point lead at the break.

The Redhawks open up the second half with their confidence and energy still high. Jill Konkle knocks down a three ball within the first minute of the quarter. The Bobcats would create a little magic of their own, led by back to back threes from Mackenzie Horn and an underhanded layup from LaPorte. This would give John Glenn their first lead of the game. The momentum would slowly shift again when Martinez would get stripped at half court by Long, who drove to the other end for an easy layup. The Bobcats would finish the third leading Marshall by one point.

The final quarter would show to be the “survival of the fittest”. The score would stay even the first three minutes, until John Glenn would get two consecutive layups from Boensch, giving them a 4 point lead. Marshall would need a timeout to regroup. With a little under two minutes left in the game, Long would knock down a huge three point shot, cutting Marshall’s deficit down to one. On a missed layup from Boensch, Marshall got the rebound, executed on offense and led by one after a reverse layup from Nicole Tucker. 25 seconds on the clock, John Glenn would get a rebound from Boensch, and she would get fouled on the put back. She knocked down both free throws to give the Bobcats a one point lead. Marshall still fighting for dear life, gets several shot attempts within the 14 seconds remaining in the game. John Glenn would foul Tucker, sending her to the line for two shots. She hits them both, giving Marshall the one point victory! They will play Grand Rapids South Christian in the Class B state championship.

Leaders: Marshall – Tucker 14, Long 10, Konkle 7; John Glenn – LaPorte 16, Boensch 14, Brisson 9

Game Highlights

Marshall:

• Marshall is a tough team. They are small in size but big in heart and hustle.

• The Redhawks never stopped playing. In the second half their shots weren’t falling, but they kept shooting. It paid off.

• Look for Marshall to play hardcore smart basketball against GR South Christian.

BC John Glenn:

• The Bobcats got their engines going a little too late in the game. Once Marshall’s confidence was up, there was no turning back.

• LaPorte showed great leadership today. In the mist of everything that was going on, she stepped and took over when her team needed her.

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