REVENGE OF THE TIGERS: Belleville avenges loss to Howell, 58-40
Belleville’s Christine Chinemelu converts a layup against Howell’s Lilly Williams.
How did the Belleville girls basketball team play Monday night against Howell, the only team to defeat the Tigers in over a year?
In a word: G-R-R-R-E-A-T-T!
In one of the most-anticipated girls basketball games in southeast Michigan in quite some time, defending state champion Belleville used a 23-point third quarter to pull away from the Highlanders, 58-40.
The Tigers advanced to Wednesday’s 7 p.m. regional final at Northville High School. They will play South Lyon East, which, like Belleville, has suffered just one loss this season.
The Avengers
Howell defeated Belleville, 59-51, on Feb. 26 in the KLAA championship game.
Per usual, Belleville’s catalyst was junior Sydney Savoury, who netted 20 points, including eight straight during a stretch of the third quarter when the Tigers opened a 20-18 halftime lead to 37-25.
The Tigers’ defense was tenacious, blanking the Highlanders in the second half until the 2:25 mark of the third quarter when Miss Basketball finalist Lilly Williams banked in a short shot.
Williams, who will play for Michigan State University beginning in the fall, scored 20 points and blocked six shots in her high school finale. Williams has been selected to play in the McDonald’s Girls All-American Game set for March 31 in Glendale, AZ.
A lot of freebies
Williams visited the free throw line frequently, making 12 of 18 attempts.
Layla Stewart scored 13 for the winners, including back-to-back triples in the second quarter when Howell was attempting to stretch a modest lead.
Miss Basketball finalist Se’Crette Carter also shined for the Tigers, scoring eight points and playing sticky defense.
Sophomore Lyla Williams and senior Gabrielle Piepho both scored eight points for Howell.
Taking charge
Belleville led 43-27 after three quarters and never allowed the Highlanders to gain even a touch of momentum during the final eight minutes.
The Northville High School gymnasium was jam-packed for the high-stakes game.
Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.
