Lady Warriors Win District Championship Behind 29 from Starkey

JTV Sports File Photo

By David Rice | JTV Sports

(March 3, 2023 6:38 PM)  What was a slow start for Grass Lake to open the game, quickly turned into a rout over East Jackson to win the District Championship on a snowy Friday night, 62-33.

Mariah Kerley opened up the game for EJ with 6:48 left in Q1. Then, Grass Lake got going after 4 missed shots early on. Kate Starkey made it 4-2 with 5:47 to play then scored 7 straight after that including a 3-pointer, GL leading 11-6 with 2:10 to play. 

After the opening quarter, Grass Lake leads 15-10. Kate Starkey leading GL with 9 Q1 points.

East Jackson continued to stay in the game throughout most of the second quarter. Mariah Kerley and Kennedy Goodwin both scored to make it a 2-point deficit for the Lady Trojans. Addisyn Rudd knocked down a 3 a few minutes after that, making it a 5-point deficit again. Then, GL responded. Kate Starkey scored 5 straight followed by an Olivia Turner 3-pointer. 

After a scoreless 2:30 to end the 2nd quarter, Grass Lake led 30-22 at the half.

East Jackson continued to not shy away, scoring 6 straight, but still down 34-28 and 3:20 to play in Q3. Right after, GL took the drivers seat the rest of the way. Makenna Horodeczny and Starkey both scored for GL to make it 38-29. 

Then, Olivia Turner hit a 3 just before the buzzer to make it 41-29 after 3 quarters. GL now just 8 minutes away from a District Championship.

Grass Lake continued to lockdown on defense, just allowing 4 points in the final quarter to not allow a comeback. 

Grass Lake continued to chew clock and lockdown to roll into a victory. Grass Lake wins by a final score of a 62-33 rout, outsourcing 21-4 in the 4th.

Kate Starkey scored 29 points to lead GL, Olivia Turner and Makenna Horodeczny both added 12. Horodeczny set 2 school records on Friday, with most rebounds in a game (20) and most rebounds in a season.

“It was our defense that stepped up and made the difference this game. They beat us last time and we knew we had to come out and lockdown as well as play aggressive” said HC April Salts. “With whoever we play on Tuesday night, we have to continue to play top-notch basketball and stay together as a team.” 

Grass Lake will play in the Regional Semifinal on Tuesday night at Dansville High School.

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