D3 State Semifinals Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Four teams stepped onto the court today, dreaming of competing for a D3 MHSAA State Championship on Saturday. Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest defeated Calumet 43-38 and Ypsilanti Arbor Prep defeated Niles Brandywine 31-29. Ypsilanti Arbor Prep will face Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest for the title at 4:00 PM on Saturday. Here are a few performers who stepped up for their teams in the semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["615180"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dcef0b2b866"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Angela was a menace on the glass in the first half, securing several offensive rebounds and 11 total. She scored an offensive rebound putback, backdoor layup, beat defenders with a hard drive to score a contested finish off two, and added another downhill layup off two feet. Angela caused a foul in the final moments and converted two clutch free throws to send Arbor Prep back to the State Finals with a 31-29 victory. She led the Gators with a double-double effort of 12 points and 11 rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1151391"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dcef0b2b8c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jalaya gave Arbor Prep a huge advantage in the paint with her determined pursuit of rebounds. She scored five important points in the second half. Jalaya stole the ball and motored down the floor to score a strong and-one layup, then converted her free throw. She dished assists after securing offensive rebounds and led the team with 14 rebounds in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["419536"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dcef0b2b90b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In a game where points were at a premium, Eliza delivered three crucial triples for Arbor Prep. She handled the ball with poise under pressure and drained a corner 3 after stealing the ball away. Eliza poured in 9 points to help Arbor Prep earn a tough win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["424573"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dcef0b2b94f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Adeline gave Brandywine a boost with her effective inside scoring against the zone. She finished floaters with a soft touch in traffic and converted a difficult left-handed layup at the rim. Adeline cut behind the defense and showed her athleticism by high-pointing a lob pass to score a layup. She drove hard downhill to score a strong and-one layup off the glass, then knocked down her free throw. Adeline drove by defenders to score a smooth scoop layup and led the Bobcats with 16 points while securing five rebounds. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["502318"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1219964,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dcef0b2b9ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Paige gave Lutheran Northwest a lift with two confident wing 3s and a timely steal that turned into a transition layup to end the second quarter. She stole the ball away again in the second half and finished the play with a solid left-handed layup off two feet. Paige pursued rebounds and made good passes to teammates. She led the way with 14 points, secured five rebounds, and added three assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["919216"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1219966,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dcef0b2b9fe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Morgan scored off a baseline inbounds pass to start the game and worked tirelessly to secure rebounds on both ends. She drained a straightaway three, beat her defender baseline with her dribble to score off the glass, and split defenders to score a contested floater. Morgan blocked a shot and caused a foul after securing an offensive rebound. Her 12-point and 10-rebound double-double was crucial to earning a 43-38 victory over Calumet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1219953"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1219968,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dcef0b2ba53"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jess is a pesky defender and scrappy point guard who made key plays to help Calumet compete during their State Semifinals matchup. Jess scored a layup after securing an offensive rebound, dropped in a soft floater, and swiped the ball away to score another layup. One of her best plays was pushing the ball full court and changing directors with a quick crossover to score a contested layup to end the third quarter. Jess led the team with 10 points, adding six rebounds, five steals, and three assists. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1219954"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67dcef0b2ba95"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bailey had a big second quarter for the Copper Kings during their State Semifinals matchup. She drove hard to the basket to cause a foul and knocked down both free throws with a good follow-through. Bailey showed her perimeter shooting skills by drilling a smooth triple up top and from the wing. She demonstrated true toughness by coming back into the game after experiencing a collision while diving for a loose ball. Bailey poured in eight points with four rebounds for Calumet. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->