The Martin girls’ basketball team reigns supreme over the Lakeshore Division of the Southwest Athletic Conference.
The Lady Clippers edged Gobles 29-26 in a nail-biting defensive struggle Friday evening, a battle for first place. The verdict also enabled Martin to avenge its only loss this season.
Neither team scored in double figures in any quarter until the Clippers managed 10 points in the crucial fourth period. They prevailed with a solid run down the stretch that reversed their fortune with just under six minutes left in the ballgame.
The Tigers’ point guard, Christiana Hunt, stole an errant pass and went coast to coast for a layup to put Gobles ahead 24-19 with 5:49 showing on the clock. Coach Ben Schipper called time out to regroup, and his team did just that, going on a 10-2 run the rest of the way.
Martin struggled mightily offensively throughout the evening against the Tigers’ zone defense, which kept the ball away from top scorer Faith Guritz, who was held to just six points.
Enter the Warner sisters, Brianna and Kiaya, who sparkled on defense all night in getting after Hunt and stopping Gobles from getting much going as well. Because it was so difficult to penetrate the zone, both Warners came up with crucial three-point field goals.
The Lady Clippers were limited to a layup by Bri and a free throw by Guritz in the first period and they trailed 7-3 after the first eight minutes and 13-12 at intermission. By halftime, they had made only four field goals as a team.
Forward Libby Nason put Gobles on top 17-12 early in the third quarter, but Bri nailed a three to tie it at 17 shortly afterward. The score was tied at 19-all entering the final eight minutes.
Nason hit a three with an awkward looking long shot that looked more like she threw the ball to set up Hunt’s layup that put Martin behind by five.
But Bri came up with a steal and layup to pull to a one-point lead and then hit Freddie Elkins underneath for a layup and free throw. The three-point play gave the Clippers a 28-24 lead before sophomore Tiger guard Amanda Barber scored on a driving layup to make it 28-26.
Kiaya ended the night’s scoring with a free throw and the defense did the rest.
Bri finished the evening with nine points and five rebounds, Kiaya had seven points and five assists, and Guritz scored six points and came up with eight rebounds. Jaclyn Hildebrand came up with some key defensive steals.
Nason led all scorers with 12 points and Hunt added six.
Gobles edged Martin earlier this season 33-31 on the Tigers’ floor. The Clippers won the league title with a 9-1 record and finished the regular season with a 19-1 mark. Gobles was 8-2 in the league and 17-3 overall.
“I’m so, so, so proud of our girls,” said Schipper. “I’m incredibly happy for them. They work so hard, care so much, and have given this program everything. Tonight was an amazing atmosphere and hats off to Gobles for giving us another great game. Every possession was a battle. It was a great team effort.
“I could point to several key shots and plays that made a difference. The one that sticks out was Freddie’s and one in the fourth quarter. That really got us energized and swung things around for us. I can’t wait to watch the film and relive the game. Bri and Kiaya hit big shots for us tonight when we needed them most and Jaclyn and Faith came up with some great defensive plays. Jordyn Seiser gave us some great minutes when we needed to go small and have a quicker post on the floor to match up with them.
“It was such a fun game to be a part of.”
The Martin girls will play Tri-Unity Christian at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday at the host school in the opening round of the Division 4 post-season tournament.
Later in the evening, Gobles edged the Clipper boys 44-41, in a ballgame marred by four technical fouls, three whistled against Martin. Travis Thorne was called twice and disqualified, Cayden Curry got the other one, and coach Brad Moelker was issued a warning. Gobles had one, assessed against Jake Getmore, who took individual scoring honors with 19 points.
Collin Coburn led the Clippers with 11 points and Kyle Eckman added 10. Their record fell to 8-10 on the season overall.
