Three Hillsdale County girls basketball teams survive district semis
· Yahoo Sports
HILLSDALE COUNTY — It is elimination week for Hillsdale County girls varsity basketball teams as the postseason completes its first rounds of cuts. As expected, head-to-head county matchups and tough conference pairings brought several seasons to a close Wednesday night, but through the fog of defeat, three programs emerged with district title berths on the line Friday.
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Pittsford varsity girls basketball defeated Jackson Christian 42-34 to advance into the Division 4, District 121 championship. While district title games are nothing new in the career of state-title-winning coach Chris Hodos, Wednesday’s win was a clear statement for a Wildcat team that had lost twice in the regular season to Jackson Christian — both by double digits.
Sophomore Alexis Bryner posted an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double. Sophomore Karmin Butler scored a career-high 16 points, including three 3-pointers. Senior Laura LeMar added eight points.
The Wildcats toppled a Royals squad that finished 14-8 overall and 10-2 in league play.
“Tania and Brielle played great on D against their two best players,” Hodos said.
Pittsford improved to 12-11 and returns to a district final for the second straight year. Standing in the Wildcats’ way is Morenci — ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in Division 4, depending on the poll.
Morenci powered past Addison 70-18 to secure its trip to Friday’s championship. The Bulldogs have reached the state quarterfinals each of the past two seasons and look poised to contend again. Pittsford has already pulled off one upset — and now gets a shot at one of the top teams in Michigan when they tip off at 7 p.m. back at Jackson Christian High School.
Reading vs. Hillsdale Academy
Last year’s district finals opponent for Pittsford — Reading — is also headed back to a championship round after grinding out a 33-28 win over Camden-Frontier. First-year RedHawks coach Ryan Reetz had home-court advantage and a game plan that kept the Rangers within reach, but Camden-Frontier closes the season 9-12. Seniors Regan Schaedler and Elexis Landwehr graduate from the program.
Reading and head coach Kevin Bailey improve to 8-15 overall after returning to the district finals despite a rebuilt starting lineup and an up-and-down regular season. The Rangers controlled the paint and collected key stops in what became a defensive slugfest.
Junior Bria Wiler tallied a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double. McKenzey Penza added nine points and four boards. London Trott finished with five points, four rebounds and seven steals. As a team, Reading grabbed 16 steals to smother the RedHawks offense.
The Rangers will face Hillsdale Academy in the District 120 title game. The Colts rolled past North Adams-Jerome 51-12 to improve to 17-6.
Hillsdale Academy was led by senior Liz Creger with 12 points and five rebounds. Junior Lucy Cote had 10 points, four rebounds, five assists and five steals. Senior Zoe Plemmons grabbed 10 rebounds to go with six points. Senior Darby Horsfall handed out five assists, and Anna Bissot chipped in five points.
The Colts won a Pat Paterson semifinal over Reading in December. Friday’s rematch tips at 7 p.m. at Camden-Frontier.
North Adams-Jerome ends its season 4-15, including a district quarterfinal win over Will Carleton Academy, 29-17. WCA finishes 6-10. Seniors Madison Recob and Josie Moore conclude their careers for the Cougars, and senior Lydia Little graduates from the Rams.
Seasons End
Jonesville emerged as the lone Division 3 semifinalist after Hillsdale lost to Quincy 57-26 in the District 81 quarterfinals. Hillsdale senior Sydney Hartzler ended her career as the Hornets’ only senior.
Jonesville faced Homer on Wednesday night in a Quincy-hosted rivalry rematch. The Comets trailed 21-16 at halftime, and Homer used a 15-point third quarter to push the lead to 36-28 entering the fourth. Jonesville fought back within a couple possessions late, but the Trojans’ defense held firm.
Sophomore Brynleigh Griffiths led Jonesville with 14 points. Junior Megan Lee scored 12. Kira VanKampen added eight points, including a 3-pointer. Senior Bryn Rusk finished with five points in her final game. The night also marked the end of the career of senior Jaclyn Henry, who suffered a season-ending injury earlier this winter — a setback that coach Tom Dunn said reshaped the team.
Dunn credited his players for their effort despite the loss.
“You know, they had their best stuff tonight and we didn’t,” Dunn said. “I thought our kids played hard, but they were the better team tonight. Hats off to them. Our kids played their butts off. We just didn't get shots to fall early and had to play catch-up, but I’m proud of these kids.”
He also reflected on the impact of his seniors.
“Henry going down at the beginning of the season was a big loss, and then Bryn Rusk was a super kid — those two seniors have been awesome,” he said. “They’ve stuck with us all through high school, and I’m proud of both of them.”
When asked what he hopes underclassmen take from the experience, Dunn didn’t hesitate.
“I just hope they get hungry, they want to win and they fight,” he said. “We saw that tonight. We’ve got to improve in some areas, but I think we can do that.”
Jonesville ends the season 13-10 overall and 9-7 in league play.
Homer was led by sophomore Brooklen Minix's 19 points. Alivia Warner had 15. Homer plays Hudson for the District 81 title.
Litchfield falls to Athens
Elsewhere in district play, Litchfield fell 61-42 to Athens in a Division 4, District 119 semifinal matchup. In a season back from having last year cut short, the Terriers pushed Athens deep into the second half before the Indians finally pulled away in the fourth quarter.
Coach Al Alvarez said his team executed its game plan nearly to perfection, even as Athens delivered what he described as yet another opponent’s “best shooting night” of the year.
“Let me tell you, the girls played a (heck) of a game,” Alvarez said. “We worked on a game plan, we watched film, we practiced, and today the girls executed nearly to perfection. It just seems like every team has their best shooting night against us no matter how they’ve shot the ball all season and today was no different.”
Athens knocked down 11 three‑pointers to Litchfield’s five, a swing Alvarez said ultimately decided the outcome. Despite the shooting disparity, the Terriers took care of the ball and kept the turnover margin tight, keeping the game close going into the fourth quarter.
“Regardless of the loss, it was a successful season — and more importantly, we were able to finish the year and not have to call it short like last year,” Alvarez said.
The Terriers lose three seniors — record-holder Abby Bills, Kelsey Conley and transfer student Flore LeNechet. Bills scored 20 points to finish her season with 432, setting three new program records and further cementing her legacy within Litchfield girls basketball.
“Even though we lose three seniors, I believe they did enough to lay a good foundation,” Alvarez said. “I believe every single one of the girls saved their best for last. They all had their best game of the year today, even in the loss.”
Up Next
Both the District 120 and District 121 title games will be played Friday, March 6 with 7 p.m. starts. Tickets can be purchased online via GoFan. Winners move on to play in regional semifinal games starting Monday, March 9.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Only three teams left in Hillsdale County's girls prep hoops playoffs