MARCELLUS — Hillsdale Academy moved one step closer to program history Monday night, earning its 19th victory of the season with a commanding 59-30 win over Lawrence in the MHSAA Division 4 Region 30 semifinal.
The Colts built control early and never relinquished it, using balanced scoring and defense to improve to 19-6 overall and advance to Wednesday’s regional championship game at Marcellus High School.
Hillsdale Academy will face Concord (23-2), the No. 4-ranked team in the state in Division 4, at 7 p.m. March 11. The Yellowjackets advanced with a 53-34 victory over No. 6-ranked Mendon in the other semifinal.
For Hillsdale Academy, the win sets up a chance to capture the first regional championship in program history.
“It’s going to take us playing possession by possession,” Colts coach Jennifer Clark said. “We’ve got to show up ready to play. It’s going to take some pretty intense, tough defense. We know their star players, and we know we’ve got to keep them out of the game and shut them down to be able to have a chance.”
The Colts showed that defensive intensity early against Lawrence. Clark also pointed to Liz Creger’s shooting performance as a key spark.
“She came to play and hit about everything she took shots on.”
Senior Liz Creger led Hillsdale Academy with 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. Creger scored 12 of her points in the first half.
Hillsdale Academy took a 34-16 advantage into halftime after an efficient offensive first half that included three 3-pointers. Senior Darby Horsfall accounted for two of those long-range shots and finished with 10 points, six rebounds and a steal.
The Colts continued to stretch the lead in the second half behind their defensive pressure and unselfish ball movement.
“They show up every day and work their tails off,” Clark said. “They are a phenomenal group to coach. They will do whatever I ask them to, and I expect nothing less come Wednesday night.”
Senior Zoe Plemmons recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds while also adding four steals. Lucy Cote contributed 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Anna Bissot added three points, three assists and four steals, while Abigail Kriesch chipped in three points and four rebounds. Amelia Heath rounded out the scoring with two points and a steal.
Lawrence was led by senior Carolina Mancera, who scored 17 points.
The Colts’ defensive effort limited Lawrence to just 30 points in the regional semifinal, a performance Clark said reflects the culture her team has built.
“These girls have been with me all three years that I’ve been here,” Clark said. “We have four pillars to our program: cohesion, effort, discipline and grit. They show up and show me that every single day. They will go to war for each other. They’ve got each other’s backs and they work their tails off.”
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Hillsdale Academy now turns its focus to a Concord team that has spent the season among the top-ranked teams in Division 4.
The Yellowjackets’ only two losses this season came against a Division 3 opponent in Hanover-Horton and the No. 2-ranked team in Division 4. Concord also defeated Mendon — a team that beat Hillsdale Academy by four points earlier this season — to reach the regional final.
Senior Ciara Barrett will be one of Concord’s key playmakers to watch in Wednesday’s matchup.
Regardless of the opponent, Clark said she expects her team to embrace the opportunity.
“We’ve been in the gym and we’ve worked hard preparing for Wednesday night,” Clark said. “I expect they will show up and give me everything they’ve got. It’s going to be a good game because we’re absolutely facing one of the best teams in the state.”
The regional championship game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at Marcellus High School. The winner will advance to the Division 4 state quarterfinal round. Tickets can be purchased at GoFan. The game will be streamed live on the NFHS Network.
The winner moves on to face Portland St. Patrick or Muskegon Catholic Central in the MHSAA state quarterfinal round on Tuesday, March 17.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Hillsdale Academy girls basketball advances to regional final
Reporting by Joseph Flaherty, Hillsdale Daily News / Hillsdale Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
