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November 17, 2005Kingsley, St. Francis vie for title17-4 Glads take on 20-1 Stags in district final
Glen Lake junior Katie Milliron(22) tries to protect the ball from the defense of Traverse City St. Francis' Megan Hooper. The two state-ranked teams used balanced attacks to post easy victories and set up a showdown in the Class C district basketball final here. In Wednesday's opener, Megan Hooper and Liz Carney combined for 35 points as the Gladiators (17-4) knocked off Glen Lake 63-32. In the nightcap, Lauren Summerfield and Courtney Stocking combined for 35 as Kingsley (20-1) ousted Suttons Bay 69-32. The title game is Friday. St. Francis and Kingsley did not meet during the regular season. "Luckily, we just got done playing Frankfort - and playing Frankfort is a lot like playing Kingsley," St. Francis coach Becky Hackert said. "They've got three or four dominating players. They're a physical team. We'll need to get after it, be aggressive. It should be a great game." Kingsley coach Matt Schelich was impressed with the Gladiators. "They've got people who can do some damage," he said. "They've won a lot of games and there's a reason for it." Hooper was a big reason Wednesday. She hit four three-pointers in the first quarter as St. Francis built a 21-11 lead. She hit another three in the second quarter as the Gladiators extended their lead to 38-17. "I was just on, I guess," the senior said. "I was feeling it." Hooper finished with 19 points, Carney 16, Maggie Olsen 10 and Jessica LaCourse 9. "We've had good balance all season long," Hackert said. "The nice thing is it's never the same person leading us. It's always someone different stepping up." Hooper said the Gladiators did a good job working the ball around and finding the open player. She said teamwork has been a key to the Gladiators success. "We have great camaraderie on this team, especially after what happened to Katie Heintz," she said. "We've really come together. "We have a lot of threats. No superstars, just a bunch of all-around good players." Marissa Treece paced Glen Lake with 11. Kingsley, meanwhile, feels it has something to prove after losing to Suttons Bay in last year's district final. "We had a rough time with that (last year's upset loss)," Lauren Summerfield said. "We want a district championship this year." Kingsley avenged the loss to Suttons Bay as Summerfield netted 18, Courtney Stocking 17 and Tallie Waurzyniak 13. The Lady Stags, who led 39-16 at half, maintained control throughout. "We know every game now is big," Summerfield said. "We had to come ready to play. Any team can come out hot." Kingsley's leading scorer Jill Walton, who just signed with Lake Superior State, was held to two free throws. But Schelich praised her afterwards. "Jill Walton is going to school for basically free because she's a complete player," he said. "She proved it tonight. She never made a basket, but she was doubled and tripled and didn't force it. She had seven assists. It was an uncharacteristic night for her, but I was proud of the way she played." Holly Orban's 10 points led Suttons Bay.
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