2/15/22 Ypsilanti, MI. – It was a much-anticipated battle in the state of Michigan between two of the top-ranked girl’s basketball teams as the 14-1 Lake Fenton Blue Devils rolled into the Ypsilanti Arbor prep swamp to face the 13-1 Gators.
The Blue Devils had been blowing out their opponents throughout the state and in their conference and the Gators looked to be the biggest obstacle in an already tough schedule. And the Gators play one of the toughest schedules including many teams in bigger classes and their only loss on the season was a tough 1 point defeat to Parma Western.
The game started out tough for both teams as they were trying to get a feel for each other and there was some very solid defense played as the Gators had an 8-6 lead headed into the second. Leke Fenton hit several big shots in the second and forced a few turnovers to enter the half on a positive 23-21 lead.
In the third quarter, Lake Fenton extended their lead and grabbed their biggest lead of the game, and was fighting hard on both ends of the court and with the Gators tough forward duo of the Utomi twins in foul trouble, they took advantage for a big 38-31 lead entering the final quarter.
The Gators seemed listless at times throughout the game but they came alive in the fourth outscoring the Blue Devils 26-9 and midway through the fourth with the Gators trying to battle back and with 3 minutes to go Gators senior guard Jazmin Chupp hit a deep three-point shot from the corner to tie the game up. From there it was all Gators as they forced several turnovers and senior guard and Texas A & M commit Mya Petticord sealed the deal on a steal and a layup and hit several free throws down the stretch to give the Gators a hard-fought 57-47 victory.
“I give our girls a lot of credit for never giving up and for focussing on the game,” Arbor Prep Head Coach Scott Stine stated after the game. “I’m proud of them for not giving in when things weren’t going our way and they just kept grinding and our man-to-man defense really took control of the game.”
Arbor Prep was led in scoring by Stacey Utomi with 19 points, and 6 rebounds while Senior Mya Petticord finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and several steals. Arbor Prep will host Detroit Edison Thursday night at 6 weather permitting. Lake Fenton will look to bounce back at home against Goodrich Friday night.
