Daelyn Merillat scored two field goals in the final 20 seconds, including the game-winner at the buzzer, to lift the Morenci girls basketball team to a 37-35 win over Tri-County Conference opponent Madison.
“She got the ball on the in-bounds pass with seven seconds left, drove to the basket, spun and made it,” Morenci coach Larry Bruce said. “She asked for it. In the huddle, she said she wanted the ball.”
Madison was up 35-33 when Merillat tied it on a similar play, and Bruce called his final timeout of the game to set up a press defense. Madison dribbled the ball into the front court, but the ball went off a Trojan girls’ leg and out of bounds. Madison called a timeout to set up its defense, and Bruce called on Merillat for last-second heroics.
“I just told her to take it to the basket,” he said. “They were either going to foul her or she was going to get a shot off.”
The win put Morenci (10-2, 8-0 TCC) alone in first place in the TCC after Britton Deerfield handed Whiteford its first league loss.
Merillat finished with 17 points and Mady Schmitz 12.
The Morenci victory spoiled a big game for Laura Teunion-Smith, who scored 17 points and pulled down 22 rebounds for Madison.
Britton Deerfield 55, Whiteford 44: At Britton, the Patriots knocked off the Bobcats with a total team effort.
“We need all of our players to contribute and tonight they did,” BD coach Jeff Scott said. “In a game of this magnitude, a team cannot look to one big scorer or one big rebounder or defensive player. My bench was the key to victory.”
The Patriots started the game on a 10-0 run and led 15-4 after the first quarter.
The Bobcats scored 21 points in a comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, but BD put in 20 to maintain the lead.
Hannah Alcock finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Jozie Scott also had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds. Maggie Loesch had six rebounds, and Megan Bower was strong with 10 points, six rebounds and six assists.
BD improved to 9-5 overall and 6-3 in the TCC.
Lenawee Christian 63, Jones Academy 16: At Adrian, the Cougars had an easy time against the Toledo-based school, allowing only two opposing players to score.
Bree Salenbien led Lenawee Christian with 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Dani Salenbien scored 10 points and dished out five assists, while Libby Miller had six steals and nine points.
Hudson 55, Columbia Central 41: At Hudson, the Tigers made 14 free throws in the fourth quarter and 25 for the game to take the Lenawee County Athletic Association matchup.
Hudson (6-5, 4-4 in LCAA) had eight players score at least five points. Mikayla Bowen led Hudson with 12 points.
Callie Bauer, Bree Romanowski and Erika Grondin each had five rebounds for Hudson. Sydney Feekings had four assists, three rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals. Mya Shirey added four rebounds.
Summerfield 33, Sand Creek 31: At Petersburg, the Aggies dropped a close one on the road in TCC play.
Grace Francoeur led Sand Creek with seven points and nine rebounds, while Kindell Covey played a strong game with six points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots.
The Aggies are now 3-10 on the season and 2-7 in the TCC.
Hanover-Horton 46, Addison 39: At Horton, the Panthers played tough defense against Cascades Conference foe Hanover-Horton, but couldn’t come away with the victory.
Alivia Magnus and Ally McLouth scored 10 points apiece for Addison (5-6 overall), while Michaela Gahn added nine points.