Ben Murphy
Sports Scene
Saginaw Arthur Hill girls basketball team trailed Midland High by as much as eight points in the fourth quarter of Thursday night’s girls regional championship game at Bay City Central, and still trailed 67-62 with just 33 seconds to play. However, Arthur Hill managed to force overtime and pulled off a thrilling 77-74 win, giving the Lady Jacks their first regional title since 2008.
“We never lost faith,” A-H head coach Reggie Williams said. “You’re never out of a basketball game. Whoever has the best spurt at the end usually wins the game.”
Shanesha Blair knocked down a shot under the basket off an assist from Shauqunna Collins to end regulation at a 67-67 tie. In overtime, Collins made eight shots from the free throw line, while two more Chemic starters fouled out. In total, Midland had five girls hit the bench with five fouls in the fourth quarter or later.
“It’s a tough one,” Midland head coach Elaine Mahabir said. “You lose by three with three junior varsity kids on the floor at the end you feel good. I thought my kids did a great job. We did what we could and it didn’t bounce our way. Eight teams went home tonight and we happened to be one of them.”
Midland led 13-10 after the first quarter and 33-31 at the half before extending its lead to 52-47 after the third. The Chemics took a 61-53 lead on a Jessica Walter three pointer early in the fourth, but picked up her fifth foul of the game just moments later.
A-H closed the fourth quarter on a 14-6 run to force the extra session.
Blair and Collins led the Lady Jacks with 27 points apiece with Brittnany Wilson adding 17.
Midland High was led by Lily Hami with 21 points, Jennifer Jarema scored 19, Walter had 13 and Maura McAfee netted 12.
Arthur Hill plays at the Grand Blanc quarterfinals on Tuesday against Ann Arbor Huron.
“It feels great to have the girls playing the way they are playing,” Williams said. “As for Tuesday, we’re just going to take it quarter by quarter. As long as we do what we’re supposed to do I’m confident we’ll be victorious.