Concord, MI. – The Gators of Ypsilanti Arbor Prep were able to hold off the Eagles of Columbia Central Tuesday evening with some very solid defense and great team play. The Eagles kept coming close but the Gators, although outnumbered almost 3 to 1 in team depth, held on and never gave up fighting for a big 50-42 victory and will tip off Thursday night against 24-1 Blissflied in Concord at 7 P.M.
The Gators came out strong out of the gate winning the tip-off and took a big 7-0 lead as Junior Taylor Wallace drained a deep three-point shot. Less than a minute later Wallace put her team up by 8 points with another big 3. With a minute and 41 left in the first Wallace hit another big 3 and then Stacy Utomi stole the inbounds pass for the easy basket forcing the Eagles to call a full timeout and regroup as they trailed by 8.
In the second quarter, the Eagles had several turnovers thanks to a very Stingy Gators defense. The Eagles closed the lead and held the ball passing it around looking for the last shot of the first half but Wallace stole the ball and scored at the buzzer giving the Gators a 25-17 halftime lead.
In the third, it was Wallace again draining a long three off a Utomi pass to help maintain the Gator’s lead. With 3 minutes to go in the third Sophomore sensation, Eliza Bush launched her own deep three from almost halfcourt putting the Gators up by double digits for the first time in the game and forcing the Eagles to take a time-out. The Eagle closed the lead to within 7 before the final stanza.
In the fourth, the Eagles closed the lead within 3 but with 3 and a half to go Wallace stole the ball and took it the length of the court to keep the Gators lead by 5. But the Eagles persevered and would not give up closing the lead to within a basket. But Wallace again hit another three then freshman Angela Meggisson picked off an Eagle pass and Gator Head Coach Scott Stine wisely called timeout as she lay on her back on the court to avoid the travel call or the jump ball.
The Eagles had no choice with just over a minute to go in the game and trailing but to play the foul game picking up several quick fouls. On a quick inbound pass, Meggisson was in the perfect spot for a quick two-pointer to give the Gators a 48-42 lead. In foul mode, the Eagles sent Wallace to the charity stripe and she sinks both shots to give the Gators a 50-42 lead to seal the victory and that’s how the game would end.
“I wouldn’t trade any of these girls for anyone,” proud Gators Head Coach Stine stated. “It’s going to be tougher each game but I”m proud of my girls and how they never give up.”
The Gators were led by Wallace with 21 points and 2 steals, Stacy Utomi with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists, her twin sister Stephanie who despite being in foul trouble finished with 8 points and 5 assists, Meggisson finished with 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals, and Bush finished with 3 points and 6 assists.
