BASKETBALL: Saline Girls Win on Senior Night, Head into Playoffs on High Note

Saline’s varsity girls basketball team will start the post-season on a winning night. The Hornets celebrated senior night Friday by defeating Skyline, 45-32.

It was the final regular season game for seniors Karsten Whitley, Asia Lindsey and Brooke Bauer.

Saline finished the season with a 10-10 record. Saline was 6-4 in the SEC Red. The Hornets open the playoffs at 5:30 p.m. Monday against Ypsilanti at Bedford High School.

“We’ve played some of our best basketball and won some big games in the last two weeks,” coach LeighAnn Roehm said. “I’m proud of the way we showed up and played. It puts in a good place going into districts at Bedford next week.”

Saline won with a balanced attack and a strong night night at the free throw line. Ella Stemmer scored nine points and had nine rebounds. Kelsey Alexander, who had missed time with an injured finger, returned to form with nine points, four rebounds and five steals. Bauer scored eight points and had five rebounds. Nicole Sweetland and Liz Sekerak each scored six points. Erin Reilly had eight rebounds to go with her two points. Lindsey scored three points while Leeya Lawson and Maddy Welch each added a point.

Sweetland for 3! pic.twitter.com/dLSPhuCexq

— TheSalinePost (@TheSalinePost) February 23, 2018

Sweetland gave Saline a 3-2 lead with a three-pointer from the top of the arc. Lindsey scored a couple points on free throws and Stemmer added a point from the line to make it 6-2 Saline.

After a three pointer by Lauren Courtright, Stemmer put Saline up 8-5 with a basket.

Alexander! pic.twitter.com/M0c17hWWgz

— TheSalinePost (@TheSalinePost) February 23, 2018

After Skyline replied with a basket, Saline answered with a point from the line by Maddy Welch, a basket by Kelsey Alexander and then a layup by Liz Sekerak. Saline led 13-7 after the first quarter.

Early in the second Skyline closed in on the Hornets with a basket and then a three pointer by Janee Faulkner. Sweetland scored two from the stripe and then Janee Faulker scored again for Skyline. Saline led 16-13.

Saline ripped a 6-0 run in about 90 seconds. First Reilly set up Sekerak for a basket.

Bauer! pic.twitter.com/nkMr0fBO9B

— TheSalinePost (@TheSalinePost) February 23, 2018

A few seconds later, Bauer made a layup. Saline got the ball back and Alexander made two free throws for a 22-13 lead.

The quarter ended with Alexander putting back an offensive rebound for a 25-15 lead.

The third quarter began with a layup by Bauer.

Stemmer! pic.twitter.com/2UXQLJDhqO

— TheSalinePost (@TheSalinePost) February 23, 2018

Stemmer followed with a couple of free throws and then, a short time later, put back a rebound to give Saline a 31-16 lead.

Bauer! pic.twitter.com/G6pF61n0bh

— TheSalinePost (@TheSalinePost) February 23, 2018

After another point from the stripe by Stemmer, Bauer hit a three-pointer to make it 35-18.

Alexander added another point from the stripe. Emily Eitzman entered the game and stole a pass before setting up Sekerak for a basket to make it 38-20.

Alexander! Saline 40 Skyline 25 pic.twitter.com/FFEcgD8EpT

— TheSalinePost (@TheSalinePost) February 23, 2018

Alexander finished the quarter with a layup. Saline led 40-25.

Reilly! pic.twitter.com/gPy9g76rnq

— TheSalinePost (@TheSalinePost) February 23, 2018

Reilly opened the fourth quarter by putting back her own rebound. From there, Saline added a couple of points from the free throw line.

The Hornets now turn their attention to Ypsilanti and the post-season.

There are good teams in Saline’s district. But there aren’t any state powerhouses. Saline opens Monday against Ypsilanti - a team they beat 50-42 on Dec. 12. If Saline can win, they’ll face Monroe, a team they’ve beaten twice this year. The other side of the bracket includes Bedford, Lincoln and Belleville. Saline defeated Belleville, 51-43, on Dec. 1 for its first victory of the season. The Hornets split with Bedford - losing at home and then winning, 48-42, on the road, Feb. 16.

Roehm said Ypsilanti is an athletic team with tough guards.

“We going to have to do a job on the drive and do a good job taking care of the ball,” Roehm said.

Still, Saline knows they can contend for the district trophy.

“There are tough teams in this district. So it’s going to take us playing very well, all the way down in Bedford,” Roehm said. “But at the same time, we’re going to battle. We’re going to fight. We have a confidence in ourselves. If we play the way we need to play, and we be ‘us,’ then we’re going to have a good chance.”

As much as the team is looking forward to next week’s playoffs, a lot of the energy at Friday night’s game was dedicated to Saline’s graduating seniors.

They are The Saline Post’s 3 Stars

1. Brooke Bauer - She scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds. Coach Roehm praised her fearlessness and basketball IQ. “She’s tough. She’s a competitor. She goes after rebounds and takes the ball to the hoop. On top of that, she’s got a great basketball IQ. We like to say she’s like having another coach on the floor.”

2. Asia Lindsey - With the emergence of Stemmer, Lindsey hasn’t been called on to score as much as she has in the past. But the team relies on her ball handling, defense and poise under pressure. “The early season injury slowed her down. Some girls might not have been able to come back, but she managed to fight back. She has energized and led our team in big games and practices as well,” Roehm said. “Her incredible ball pressure and handling of the point are invaluable. She’s an incredible person and a true leader.”

3. Karsten Whitley - Whitley doesn’t see a lot of action during the games, but Roehm said she’s been essential to team - and embodies what the Hornets are all about. “She is there for the girls, day-in and day-out. She shows up, practices hard and holds this team together. She’s stuck with us her whole career and didn’t miss a workout in the spring or summer,” Roehm said. “She shows up for her teammates and she’s a true team player.”

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