Scott Keyes
Sports Scene
To say that Bullock Creek basketball coach Justin Freeland is a hoops junkie would be an understatement.
Between coaching both the boys’ and girls’ teams for the Lancers this season, Freeland coached nearly 50 games. Because the boys’ and girls’ varsity games are played on the same day, he was able to coach both teams.
His love for the game runs deep, and his passion ran even deeper as he watched his young Bullock Creek girls’ team make history this season, making it all the way to the Class B state semifinals before losing to Powers Catholic 48-45 in overtime.
Powers would go on to lose to Goodrich in the Class B championship game.
“You know, I just love the game,” Freeland said after the Lancers loss to Powers. “I love breaking down film. Going to practice, shooting around, and watching players develop. It’s my passion.”
Having Bullock Creek evolve into a top-notch basketball team this season with a youthful bunch of girls is the thing of which Freeland is most proud.
The 23-4 Lancers were younger than most junior varsity teams. Of the 45 points scored against Powers, all were scored by freshmen or sophomores.
Halee Nieman, a sophomore center, scored 15 points and had 11 rebounds against Powers. Alyssa Mudd, a freshman, added 12 points, including two pressure-packed free throws with 12.2 seconds left in regulation that sent the game into overtime.
Freeland watched the Lancers lose twice to Freeland High School and Miss Basketball Tori Jankoska by double digits in the regular season, but it was instances like that where he watched his team come of age.
“We could have gotten down on ourselves, but we didn’t,” Freeland said. “We continued to play within ourselves and continued to play great basketball.”
Diversity was something that Bullock Creek had to fight through in its quarterfinal win against Clare.
The Lancers’ Hannah Heldt’s steal and layup with 1:05 to play completed a comeback from a 15-point deficit, then her free throw with 36.9 seconds remaining completed a stunning 57-56 victory over Clare.
“This team doesn’t quit,” Freeland said. “I am so proud of what they were able to accomplish this season.”
With Bullock Creek being so young, expectations for the coming seasons will be high. There is a danger in looking ahead, though. As expectations rise, Bullock Creek will have a target on its back at every gym it enters next season.
Nobody will take it easy on the Lancers. Fortunately, neither will the Lancers.
“Anything can happen from here on out,” Freeland said. “I am proud of what were able to accomplsh this season. I really think the best is yet to come.”