Grand Haven repeated as Class A champs, while Our Lady of the Lakes failed in its bid to make it four straight Class D crowns on March 16.
CLASS A
It took overtime, but Grand Haven was able to hold off Grosse Pointe South 60-54 and win another state title.
Grand Haven led 26-17 at halftime and 40-31 after the third quarter. South won the fourth quarter 21-12 to send the game into overtime. The Buccaneers had a successful 8-2 run in the overtime.
Shooting percentages were stunning in contrast. While Grand Haven had a 36-31 edge in rebounds, South enjoyed a 21-2 advantage on the offensive boards. As a result, they took 78 shots but only made 21 for 26.9 percent. Grand Haven took only 29 shots but made 22 for 75.9 percent.
Hannah Wilkerson led the champs with 17 points. Cierra Rice scored 24 points for Grosse Pointe South.
Last season, it was the same two teams in the title game with Grand Haven prevailing 54-53.
“It hurts, but I love the way our girls competed,” said Blue Devils coach Kevin Richards. “At halftime, we had the tempo we wanted. Grand Haven made some plays when they needed to.”
“That’s a very good team we beat, said Bucs coach Katie Kowalczyk-Fulmer. “We hit some shots and played good defense and found a way to win. We wanted to spread the floor, pass it around, and take high percentage shots.”
CLASS D
St. Ignace won the Class C crown in 2011, but lost in the 2012 semifinals to Morley Stanwood.
This season, under coach Dorene Ingalls, the Saints moved down to Class D and went 27-0 to take first place in the state
They did it by knocking off Our Lady of the Lakes 59-44 in the title game, taking away the Lakers’ bid for their fourth consecutive state title. The Lakers ended their season at 21-5. The Lakers led 28-23 at halftime but were outscored by St. Ignace 15-10 in the third quarter and 21-6 in the fourth.
Emily Hinsman netted 20 points and five rebounds for the winners, while Sarah Cullip added 16 points and nine boards.
“They really played with heart, they played inspired,” Ingalls said. “They’re just amazing.”
The champs shot 13 of 23 from the floor in the second half, while Our Lady was 6 of 22 for 27.3 percent in the final eight minutes.
“We said at halftime we had to get back in to it by playing St. Ignace defense,” Ingalls said.
Lexie Robak netted six triples and had 25 points for Our Lady.
“When we got open shots, we did not make them often enough,” said Lakers coach Steve Robak. “We just weren’t patient enough with the ball. That match-up zone isn’t something you see a lot of.
“Of course we wanted to win. That was the plan.”