Flint Powers? girls basketball team put an end to a solid season for their Goodrich counterparts.
The Chargers got going early and soundly defeated the Martians 60-36 in Class B district action Nov. 16 at Flint Southwestern Academy The loss ended the Martians? season with a record of 16-5.
Powers took a 17-5 lead after the first period and a 30-12 lead at halftime, but Goodrich coach Jason Gray said the Martians had their chances to score in the first half.
‘We had some open shots early, and we missed a couple free throws,? he said. ‘We played them even for the most part in the second quarter. As hot as they were, we had our chances.?
Complicating matters for the Martians was Kortni Elsworth fouling out of the game with about three minutes left in the third period. The sophomore guard, who was Goodrich’s leading scorer this season, struggled with foul trouble all game and finished with only two points.
Gray said it was hard to leave Elsworth on the floor in foul trouble, but he said the Martians were already well behind in the second quarter and needed Elsworth’s scoring punch.
‘She got her third foul in the first half and picked up her fourth early in the second half,? he said. ‘As much as we would have liked to take her out, we were already in the hole.?
Junior Autumn Haggadone led the Martians in scoring with 14 points, while junior Casey Tubbs added eight points.
The Martians, who won their eighth straight Genesee Area Conference Red Division championship (including four before the conference split into Blue and Red Divisions), were well-represented on the all-GAC Red team.
Leading the pack were Elsworth and Haggadone, both of whom were unanimous picks to the all-league first team. Tubbs and seniors Tara Garman and Amy Ramiller were named to the all-league second team, while senior Jillian Zirnhelt earned honorable mention recognition.
The Martians lose three seniors to graduation this year in Garman, Ramiller and Zirnhelt. Gray said those three set a positive example for the rest of the team.
‘One of their biggest assets this year was experience,? Gray said. ‘They played a significant amount of time as juniors. They’re extremely hard-working and talented. Just knowing they came in with experience was helpful to the way we operated. Their leadership was huge all year.?
Gray said with Elsworth and Haggadone returning next year, plus an influx of talent from the junior varsity and freshman teams, the Martians? program is in good shape.
‘Having those two (Elsworth and Haggadone) is a good base to start with,? he said. ‘We have the majority of our team coming back next year. Our JV team was 19-1 and our freshman team was 17-3. We’re still looking for more tournament success, but we have a good group. I’m looking forward to next year.?