Photo Credit: Louis Murray
DIVISION 1
Wayne Memorial 59 Temperance Bedford 35: The Zebras led by thirteen points at halftime, and they turned that into a twenty-four point win over the Mules. Strong defensive efforts were key for Wayne Memorial, as they held Bedford without a field goal for eight minutes. They would cruise to victory at that point. Alanna Micheaux led the Zebras with 19 points and LaChelle Austin chipped in 11 points. Savanna Killinen led Bedford with 16 points.
Detroit Renaissance 74 Macomb L’Anse Creuse North 64: It was a close battle early, with Renaissance holding a 20-18 lead after the first quarter and a 38-36 edge at the break. In the third quarter, the Phoenix exploded offensively to create a sizable lead on the scoreboard, 67-48. From that point, Renaissance held off a Crusaders’ rally to earn their spot in the semifinals. Shannon Wheeler led the Phoenix with 21 points, while Kailee Davis (16) and Christian Sanders (10) joined her in double figures. Brooke Daniels led LCN with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Kelsey Duffey finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Hudsonville 56 East Lansing 42: The Hudsonville Eagles punched their ticket to the semifinals with a victory over East Lansing. It was a slow start for Hudsonville, as they fell behind 13-4 after the first quarter. They didn’t roll over, but instead battled back to get within a point, 17-16, at halftime. Hudsonville’s offense continued in the third quarter, and they took a 34-29 lead into the final frame. They never looked back, expanding on their lead in the fourth quarter, winning the game by double digits. Jaci Tubergen led Hudsonville with 18 points.
Midland Dow 42 Hartland 32: The Chargers of Midland Dow are off to the semifinals, topping undefeated Hartland in Monday’s quarterfinal. Hartland started out strong, taking an 11-5 lead through the first quarter. Dow responded with a 14-2 second quarter edge, allowing the Chargers to take a 19-13 lead at the half. Hartland found their offense in the third quarter, and they evened the game at 28 as the fourth quarter began. In the first three minutes of the fourth, Dow scored the only four points to take a 32-28 lead. They would push their lead to seven points with forty-one seconds to play, and they finished the game with strong free throw shooting to close it out. Alexa Kolnitys (18) and Jada Garner (14) led Dow in scoring.
SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS (Wednesday)
Wayne Memorial (17-2) vs Detroit Renaissance (12-4), 3:00, Breslin Center
Hudsonville (21-1) vs Midland Dow (22-0), 5:30, Breslin Center
DIVISION 2
Detroit Country Day 45 Imlay City 40: Defense was the name of the game early, as the Spartans and ‘Jackets were tied at 9 after the first quarter of play. It continued to be a defensive battle, with DCD taking a narrow 18-16 lead into the locker room. The ‘Jackets were finally able to create some separation by forcing Imlay City into some mistakes, and they took a 35-25 lead into the final frame. A late charge by the Spartans got them within two points with 1:39 to play, but they could never draw closer. Emma Arico led DCD with 12 points, while Mary Lengemann hit four triples to finish with 25 for Imlay City. (Thanks to Kevin Kissane of the Tri-City Times for the help)
Newaygo 51 Wayland 35: The Newaygo Lions punched their ticket to the semifinals for the first time since 1985 with a victory over the Wayland Wildcats. Leading by nine at halftime, Newaygo continued to extend the margin in the second half. Jaxi Long led Newaygo with 19 points and 6 rebounds, while Jaylee Long had 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Emmerson Goodin finished with 6 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals. Newaygo Head Coach Nathan Thomasma afterwards remarked that it was “Another great effort from the girls tonight. I thought we had contributions from everyone on the team. Give Wayland credit, they made a couple of good runs on us but we were able to hit some big shots in the third quarter to keep them back. To make the semi-finals in Division 2 is an unbelievable accomplishment. This team believes in each other and it shows night in and night out. We will enjoy the win and get ready for a very athletic and tough Detroit Country Day team on Wednesday”
Portland 47 Escanaba 41: The Raiders and Eskymos battled throughout the night, and Portland ultimately punched their ticket to the semifinals. It was lopsided early, as Portland raced out to a 22-11 first quarter lead. Escanaba would not go away, narrowing the gap to six points after three quarters. These two teams played an even fourth quarter, allowing Portland to advance. Ashley Bower led Portland with 22 points.
Parma Western 53 Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard 50: The Panthers punched their ticket to the semifinals with a narrow victory over AAFGR. These two teams battled all night, but one basket would prove to be the difference for Parma Western. Alyna Lewis led PW with 25 points. AAFGR was led by Savannah Wing with 13 points.
SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS (Wednesday)
Detroit Country Day (15-2) vs Newaygo (20-1), 3:00, Van Andel Arena
Portland (18-2) vs Parma Western (18-4), 5:30, Van Andel Arena
DIVISION 3
Grass Lake 49 Brooklyn Columbia Central 36: The Warriors got out to a 19-8 first quarter edge, and they never looked back. Grass Lake led by fifteen points at halftime, and although they lost the second half, their lead was insurmountable. BCC was never able to get within single digits in the final sixteen minutes of action. Abrie Cabana led Grass Lake with 19 points, Gabi Lutchka added 11 and Lexi Bargesser tossed in 10 points for the victorious Warriors.
Hemlock 53 Madison Heights Bishop Foley 46: The Huskies of Hemlock are off to the semifinals with a strong performance in the quarterfinals. A late set of free throws gave Hemlock their first lead, 14-12 at the end of the first quarter. A stellar second quarter by Bishop Foley gave them a 27-20 advantage at halftime. Hemlock opened the third quarter with a 7-2 run, and they turned that momentum into a 41-37 third quarter lead. Regan Finkbeiner hit a buzzer-beating three-pointer to extend the Huskies’ tally. These teams exchanged baskets, and in the end Hemlock finished seven-points ahead of the Ventures.
Kent City 52 Schoolcraft 19: The Kent City Eagles took down the Schoolcraft Eagles, punching their ticket to the semifinals. Stellar defense was the key for Kent City, as they held Schoolcraft scoreless in the first quarter (10-0). In the second quarter, Kent City scored 18 points, while Schoolcraft finally got on the board with 6. Schoolcraft had their highest scoring quarter in the third quarter, posting 7 points, but Kent City still countered with 15. In the final frame, Kent City completed the four-quarter sweep with a 9-6 edge. Kenzie Bowers led Kent City with 20 points, hitting four triples. Lexie Bowers chipped in 11 points with three three-pointers made. Schoolcraft was led by Allie Walther, Caley Kerwin and Annie Housler with 5 points each.
Calumet 73 Maple City Glen Lake 69: The Copper Kings of Calumet have punched their ticket to the Breslin Center with a thrilling win over previously undefeated Maple City Glen Lake. Trailing by 12 points in the second half, they rallied and were able to power past the Lakers. MCGL led 18-16 after the first quarter, but Calumet responded with a strong run to power ahead by eight points. MCGL rallied to jump ahead 37-36 at the break. In the second half, the Copper Kings played their best basketball, creating separation on the scoreboard. The Lakers got within four late but could not draw any closer. Free throws iced the ballgame for Calumet.
SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS (Wednesday)
Grass Lake (18-1) vs Hemlock (14-8), 10:00 AM, Breslin Center
Kent City (20-0) vs Calumet (20-0), 12:30, Breslin Center
DIVISION 4
Carney-Nadeau 62 Rudyard 52: The Wolves are making their way to the semifinals after a victory in the quarterfinals against Rudyard. A lengthy run to end the first quarter gave Carney-Nadeau a 20-16 lead after the opening eight minutes. In the second quarter, they extended their lead to seven points. Rudyard rallied, and a buzzer-beater by Tristin Smith evened the score at 44 after the third quarter of play. The Bulldogs got ahead by five points, 52-47, but they would not score again. Carney-Nadeau scored the final fifteen points of the game to emerge with a victory. Taylor Kedsch led CN with 22 points, and Tessa Wagner added 18. Chesney Molina paced Rudyard with 18 points.
Fowler 64 Martin 24: The Eagles cruised past Martin in the quarterfinals, punching their ticket to the semifinals. Fowler scored the first seven points of the game, and they turned it into a 20-6 first quarter lead. In the second quarter, it was more of the same, as Fowler took a twenty-point advantage to the locker room. In the second half, they doubled the final margin. Mia Riley led Fowler with 19 points, while Emma Riley added 16. Makala Goddard paced the Clippers with 14 of their 24 points.
Bellaire 43 Saginaw Nouvel 42: The Bellaire Eagles advanced to the semifinals, though they needed an overtime period to power past Nouvel. Throughout the night, these teams were battling back and forth. It was 20-20 after the third quarter of play, and after trailing by two in the closing seconds of regulation, they got a pair of clutch free throws to fall, forcing overtime with a 34-34 tie. In the extra period, a 9-8 advantage carried Bellaire to victory.
Petersburg Summerfield 44 Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes 24: The Bulldogs were up a short-handed Lakers team in the quarterfinals, and they were able to comfortably advance to the semifinals. WOLL had just five girls available for this game, and they fell behind early, 15-7, after the first quarter. Summerfield expanded their lead to thirteen points at the break, before a rejuvenated WOLL squad trimmed the margin to just eight after the third quarter of play. In the fourth quarter, Summerfield held WOLL scoreless, winning the frame 12-0 to advance to the semifinals.
SEMIFINAL MATCHUPS (Wednesday)
Carney-Nadeau (22-0) vs Fowler (14-4), 10:00 AM, Van Andel Arena
Bellaire (17-3) vs Petersburg Summerfield (15-5), 12:30, Van Andel Arena
