Despite making a comeback in the second half, Brandon’s girls basketball team didn’t have enough to defeat neighboring Goodrich.
The visiting Martians took command of the game in the first quarter and held on for a 39-31 win in an Aug. 31 matchup. With the win, the Martians improved to 2-0 on the season, while the Blackhawks fell to 0-3.
The game featured plenty of trips to the free throw line for both teams. However, neither team shot 50 percent from the line, with Goodrich shooting 12-28 (42.9 percent) and Brandon shooting 11-27 (40.7 percent).
Goodrich coach Jason Gray said the team had to get used to a different style of play than what the Martians are accustomed to playing in the Genesee Area Conference.
‘From what I understand, Metro League games tend to be physical and low-scoring,? he said. ‘We just had to adjust to that style. Luckily, we have enough depth to withstand foul trouble.?
Brandon could not get untracked offensively in the first half, scoring only nine points in the first 16 minutes of action. This was particularly evident in the first quarter, when the Blackhawks scored only two points as the Martians took an 11-2 lead at the end of the period.
‘We went at them with a zone press, knowing their floor’s a little bigger than what we’re used to,? Gray said. ‘I thought our pressure all over the floor in the first period was good.?
From that point, the two teams battled to a virtual standstill, but the Blackhawks could not overtake the Martians.
Tara Garman led the Martians with 11 points, while Nykole Pfaff added 10. Savannah Stedman was the lone Brandon player to score in double figures, tallying 11 points. Brooke Schaefer added eight points for the Blackhawks.
In an Aug. 26 contest against host Rochester Adams, the Blackhawks trailed the entire game and fell to the Highlanders 54-40.
Adams took a 13-4 lead after the first period and held a commanding 29-15 lead at halftime. Meg Donnay scored 10 points to lead the Blackhawks, while Jessica Liebner added seven.
Brandon returns to action Aug. 9 when they travel to Fenton, while the Martians travel to Oxford that same day.