DUNDEE ― The Adrian girls basketball team entered the postseason fray Monday night as they traveled to Dundee High School to face off with D2 foe Milan in the first round of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division 2 district tournament.
Adrian had little trouble with their opening opponent as the Maples controlled the boards, the scoring, and the defense enroute to the double-digit win, 65-35.
How it happened
Adrian started out on absolute fire, especially senior Ella Salenbien who scored nine of her team high 18 points in the first quarter alone. The Maples went on to outscore Milan 18-5 in the first quarter for the big opening lead.
The Maples continued their offensive onslaught in the second period while continuing to buckle down on their defense. Behind nine points from Tatum Borton and a cool five points from Rylee Lahring, it was Adrian outscoring Milan 19-8 in the second quarter, building a 37-13 lead at the half.
If Milan or the Milan faithful had any notion of a second half comeback, that hope was squashed in the third quarter when the Maple defense held Milan to just two points. As for Adrian, it was a team effort in scoring as five different players found the scorebook, led by six points from Salenbien. Adrian outscored Milan 16-2 throughout the third quarter to build a 53-15 lead after three full quarters.
The fourth quarter saw Milan finally wake up on the offensive end, showing absolutely no quit as they fought for their district lives, outscoring Adrian 20-12. Unfortunately for the Big Red, it was far too little too late as Adrian secured the dominant win.
Top Performers
Ella Salenbien, Adrian – Salenbien yet again put up a dominant double-double and she did so on yet another record-breaking night for the talented senior. Salenbien led the team in scoring with 18 points while also leading the team in rebounds with an astonishing 20 boards. In the win, Salenbien broke Adrian’s single season rebounding record of 266 rebounds set back in 1979 by Rhonda (Moorehead) Hubbard. After Monday’s win, Salenbien has 273 rebounds this season. Salenbien now holds all three of Adrian’s rebound records as she broke the single game and career records earlier this season.
Emily Bladen, Milan – Bladen was the lone Milan player in double figures, exploding for 24 big points in the loss, including 19 points in the fourth quarter alone. Bladen scored her 1000th career point in the loss.
Tatum Borton, Adrian – Borton was second on the Adrian squad with 13 points scored to go along with four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Rylee Lahring, Adrian – Lahring finished the victory with 11 points in addition to nine rebounds, just one rebound shy of a double-double.
Amor Sanchez, Adrian – Sanchez finished the game with six points, all in the second quarter, in addition to six rebounds and three assists.
Also adding to the Adrian winning effort was Avery Canales with one point and three rebounds; Chloe Carey with two points; Jaslynn Davis with four points and six rebounds; Sophia Rink with two points, four rebounds, and three steals; Halaena Avila with four points; Cambria Stevens with two points; and Kristyn Smith with two points.
Also scoring for Milan was Aryanna Bowden with five points; Ava Thornton with three points; and Mya Gardner with three points.
What Comes Next?
With the loss, Milan finishes their 2025-26 season at 1-22 overall and 1-13 in their conference.
Adrian meanwhile improves to 18-5 overall on the season and remains 6-4 in the conference. The Maples now advance on to the MHSAA Division 2 District 52 semifinals where they will face Madison on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The winner will move on to the Friday’s Division 2 District championship to face either Tecumseh or Ida at Dundee High School on Friday, with the championship taking place at 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Salenbien breaks rebounding record as Adrian girls rolls past Milan in D2 districts
Reporting by Troy Tennyson, The Daily Telegram / The Daily Telegram
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
