Plymouth’s Ballard sets record in rivalry win vs. Canton
Plymouth girls basketball coach Ryan Ballard is pictured with his team after setting the school’s record for basketball victories with 123. PHOTO BY VASILNEK IMAGES
With a display of genuine modesty, Plymouth High School girls basketball coach Ryan Ballard credited his players, assistant coaches and coaching mentor when asked about breaking the Wildcats’ record for victories by a basketball coach (girls or boys) with Friday night’s 39-32 win over Canton.
Ballard credited everyone except himself; but senior Wildcat Evelyn Stiglish filled that void.
“Coach puts a lot of effort into everything we do,” said Stiglish, whose 11 points were significant in Plymouth’s rivalry victory. “He always has a detailed scouting report for us, he always has a practice plan. He always gets us the best resources.
“He’s an all-in coach, which motivates us to be all-in players.”
A lot of wins
Ballard earned his 123rd victory Friday night — a milestone he embraces and shares.
“It’s a program award,” Ballard said, while walking off the court. The consistency we’ve had the past 11 years is because of the great players, coaches and families I’ve had the pleasure to work with.
“I wouldn’t be here without Mike Soukup (the Wildcats’ former boys hoops coach who Ballard assisted for three years before taking the reins of the girls program). I love him like a brother. He taught me a lot of everything I know about coaching. When you watch us play, you can see a lot of him.
“I’m honored to be on his coaching tree. He’s one of the best coaches in the area.”
Cool connection
Ballard raved about his current roster of players, who are 12-4, with two losses coming to state-ranked Howell and a third coming in a 45-41 down-to-the-wire nail-biter against Northville.
“It’s such a balanced, hard-working group,” he said. “I remember watching my seniors when they were in fourth or fifth grade playing for the PC Force, which was coached by Kenz’s (Mackenzie Dicken) dad and Annie (Flavin’s) mom. We got lucky and hit the lottery when they all drew Plymouth.”
Three seniors — Dicken (12 points), Flavin and Stiglish (11 points each) — combined for all but five of the Wildcats’ points against Canton.
Plymouth has also received steady production from seniors Emma Johnson, who led the team in rebounds and assists Friday, and Olivia Graham; and junior Eva Krstich.
“Having the balance we do makes us all more confident,” Stiglish noted. “If one of us is having a bad night, we know our teammates are going to pick us up. It makes it so our opponents can’t focus on one or two players, so we’re more dynamic.”
Tight game early
Ballard’s milestone night was in jeopardy throughout the first half as Plymouth carried a precarious 18-16 lead into the locker room.
The Wildcats gained some breathing room in the third quarter, stretching their lead to 32-24 thanks largely to Flavin’s seven points.
Plymouth earned its first double-digit lead with 3:33 to play in the third when Dicken’s and-one gave her team a 29-19 advantage.
Dynamic duo
Canton’s dynamic one-two punch of juniors Devyn Reiger and McKinsey Berlin accounted for 20 of the Cobras’ 32 points. Reiger, who knocked down two triples, scored 11 while Berlin added nine.
“The key to beating Canton is to contain Reiger and Berlin, who are both amazing athletes,” Ballard said.
Led by Flavin’s 5-for-6 effort, the Wildcats shot a solid 78% from the free-throw line.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
