Cardinals Win Overtime Battle In Conference Rivalry

Michigan Center celebrates after a hard-fought overtime victory on Friday night. Photos by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.

By David Rice | JTV Sports

Thursday, January 11th

(1-11-2024, 11:00PM): It was a back and forth game on Friday night at Grass Lake High School, and one that went to overtime. 9-0 Michigan Center came into Grass Lake to take on their rivals, the 7-2 Lady Warriors who were ranked #3 by the BCAM (Basketball Coaches Association of MI).

After Grass Lake opened up the game with the first two points, the Cardinals scored the next eight to make it 8-2. The Warriors made this a game of runs, scoring six more to make it 8-8. Freshman McKynley Gaddy scored five points in the opening quarter for MC as they led 15-10.

Despite the Warriors struggling to knock down shots and committing turnovers, they kept it close. Olivia Turner and Kate Starkey led the way in the second quarter. A three-pointer from Turner made it a single-digit deficit and started a rally for Grass Lake with six minutes to play until halftime.

A low scoring second quarter made it a 24-18 lead at the half for Michigan Center.

Gaddy buried a three-pointer for the Cardinals to give them a 14-point lead with four minutes left, the biggest lead of the game. Sophomore Mya Viegelahn scored seven points in the third quarter and Junior Kate Starkey added five for the Warriors to make it a 39-34 MC lead after the third.

Viegelahn opened up the final quarter for GL and made it a 41-38 game with six minutes to play. But after five straight empty shots, Michigan Center started to break free late with a 48-44 lead with 3:16 to play. Two late baskets by Viegelahn and Turner for Grass Lake tied the game at 48 with 34 seconds left. Both teams scored again late to go to overtime tied at 50.

Just under a minute into overtime, Grass Lake lost their best player (Kate Starkey) and the tallest on the team (Freshman Reese Lape) as both fouled out for the night. A baseline jumper by Turner gave GL a 54-52 lead with 1:55 to play. The cardinals duo of Gaddy and Junior Hailey Mees took advantage of the defense and scored seven straight to take a 59-54 win on the road.

McKynley Gaddy finished with 22 points, Hailey Mees scored 10, Aaralyn Tripp added nine and Samantha Wynn was just shy of a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds. Michigan Center is now 10-0. For Grass Lake (now 7-3), Kate Starkey finished with 19 points. Mya Viegelahn added 15 and Grace Bullock pulled down nine rebounds.

“Physical was the word to describe tonight. Grass Lake is so great, but we matched that intensity and physicalness” said Michigan Center Coach Greg Vieau. “We didn’t lose composure going into overtime, and our girls got a great conference win”.

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