Im-PRESS-ive defense propels Plymouth past Canton
Plymouth guard Emma Johnson pushes the ball up court against Canton’s Ashley Garcia. PHOTO COURTESY OF VASILNEK IMAGES
No, there were not seven Plymouth girls basketball players on the court Tuesday night in the Wildcats’ game at Canton.
It just seemed like that to the Cobras.
When deploying their swarming full-court press, the Wildcats forced more turnovers (24) than they allowed points in their 37-23 rivalry-game triumph over the host Cobras.
“When our press is working, like it was tonight, the other team feels beaten down and it gives us more energy,” said Plymouth senior Evelyn Stiglish, who along with Emma Johnson ignited the pressure from their positions closest to the baseline.
“Our two players up top, Em and Ev, are so good at ball pressure and they do a good job of reading where the passes are going,” added senior Annie Flavin. “They’re relentless. They never stop.”
Defining half
Plymouth, which improved to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in the KLAA West Division, led 26-10 at the half before a defense-dominated third quarter was won by Canton, 4-2.
Flavin was an offensive force in the paint, scoring 18 points. She also added a pair of nothing-but-net three-point shots in the decisive second quarter.
Mackenzie Dicken, who will play college basketball at Alma College beginning in the fall, added 11 points and tenacious defense.
“We learn a lot about our opponents from watching film,” Dicken said. “If the team we’re playing struggles with pressure and we’re good at applying pressure, let’s do it.”
It takes a thief
Dicken led the Wildcats with seven steals, four more than runner-up Stiglish.
Flavin, who racked up three blocked shots, did a marvelous job containing Canton star McKinsey Berlin, who was held to three points.
Junior Devyn Reiger was Canton’s most productive player, netting 10 points that included a pair of makes from three-point range.
Emma excelled in multiple ways
Although Johnson scored just two points for the Wildcats, she led the team in rebounds (nine), assists (seven) and deflections (six).
Falling under the “Crazy Statistic” category: Just three free throws were attempted throughout the game, all makes by Reiger (two) and Brooklyn Dood (1).
Plymouth can win the P-CEP title with a home win against Salem on Jan. 20.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
