HOLT – After a thrilling regional semifinal win over Sturgis, the DeWitt girls basketball program was just one step away from capturing a second consecutive regional title.
CAAC Blue rival and league champion Holt stood in the way.
And despite the Rams dethroning DeWitt atop the conference in the regular season, the Panthers ultimately got the big prize, earning a 43-32 victory on Wednesday, March 11, to secure a spot in the Division 1 quarterfinals.
“I’m extremely proud of them. That was a heck of a defensive effort they had tonight against a really good team,” DeWitt coach Bill McCullen said. “Holt is a big rival for us, and it seems like every year we’re running into each other in the regionals, but I’m extremely pleased with what the girls were able to do.”
It was an impressive defensive effort from the Panthers, who held Holt to just 10 first-half points, taking a nine-point lead into the break. DeWitt came out with a 7-0 run to start the third quarter, making the Rams’ comeback bid further out of reach.
Junior guard Golden Nicholson led the Panthers with 13 points, while DeWitt’s lone seniors in Sophia Beland and Carly Dennis kept the Panthers composed when Holt’s pressure ramped up in the second half.
“Being able to do it two years in a row, it’s just a testament to DeWitt basketball and how much work we put in, even in the summer,” Dennis said. “We’re always trying to get better, and we’re just a great team together. We work well together and we all love each other, so it’s just amazing to be able to do it with this group.”
DeWitt (21-4) will take on Belleville (25-1) in the state quarterfinals on Tuesday, March 17, at Mason High School.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X @Nathaniel_Bott
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: DeWitt girls basketball captures second consecutive regional title with win over Holt
Reporting by Nathaniel Bott, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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