Onsted, MI. – The Ypsilanti Arbor Prep Gators took on the Brooklyn Columbia Central Golden Eagles Wednesday evening fighting for the shot to get to the state division 3 semifinals and it didn’t long before the Gators showed why they belonged there as they took down the Golden Eagles 55-28.
The Gators started strong playing the tough brand of defense they are known for and in the first quarter, it was all the Utomi Twins, Stacy & Stephanie, as they scored all 13 of their team’s first-quarter points holding Columbia Central to just 4 points.
In the second quarter, it was more of the same as they played their swarming defense forcing errant shots and passes and they dominated in rebounds. The Gators took advantage and at 6:18 Junior Eliza Bush hit a long NBA three-point shot to give the Gators a huge 20-4 lead. Senior Taylor Wallace drained a three to increase the Gators lead even more as they went into halftime with a 34-7 lead.
It wasn’t until the 5-and-a-half mark of the third period before Columbia Central was able to get into double digits for them. At the end of the third, the Gators had total control with a 46-20 lead. The Gators had the game in hand when at about the 3-and-a-half minute mark Head Coach Scott Stine put in his 4 freshmen (Jalaya Banks, Annecia Clark, & Madison Diarra) so they could experience what it’s like to participate in such a huge game and they performed well with Diarra getting two rebounds.
“The first half was the type of basketball we try to play, “Gators Head Coach Stine said after the big victory. “We played hard, we played tough, we rebounded well and we shared the ball well. I thought the first half was a great half of basketball. In the second half, we were a little lackadaisical, but overall it was a good game and we are excited to move on to the next one.”
Columbia Central was led in scoring by Briar Rose with 8 points, Cecilia Slat with 6, and Hailey Freshcorn and Abigail Keller with 5 each.
It was the Gators 8th REgional title and they were led in scoring by Stephanie Utomi with 23 points, Stacy Utomi with 14, Autumn Pernell with 6, and Taylor Wallace with 5.
The Gators (22-4) will tip off against New Lothrop (20-7) on Tuesday night in Dansville.
