SALINE — Revenge wasn’t the only reason to celebrate for Dexter’s girls basketball team on Wednesday.
The Dreadnaughts will play for yet another district championship thanks to a convincing 48-26 win over Skyline.
Dexter looked focused and ready to avenge an earlier loss to the Eagles, and it showed as the Dreads built a 34-20 lead in the third quarter and never looked back.
“They needed this one for themselves,” said Dexter coach Rachel Canen. “So, staying focused and doing what they’re supposed to do, I always want to see them do that.”
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Dexter was paced by Addy Wylie, who had a game-high 17 points, Layla Blumberg scored 11 and Addison Chase scored six.
The Dreadnaughts (13-8) will now seek their fourth straight district championship will they face Saline for the third time this season.
The two squads split their regular season matchups, though Saline squeaked out a 53-51 win in February.
“We just need to stick to what we know and just make sure we get done with that on both ends,” Canen said.
Jane Jordan led Skyline with nine points and Sadie Jordan added eight points.
The Eagles saw their season end at 12-10, but the 12 victories were the second most in program history.
They’ll also return all but one starter with expectations of continued growth next season.
“We improved a ton,” said Skyline coach Mike Lovelace. “We’ve basically done everything we’ve wanted to do. We are talking about championships here now and trying to win them.”
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Saline makes it work in semifinals
It doesn’t matter what a win looks like in March if practice continues.
The Hornets didn’t have a flawless performance but they did enough to ensure a trip back to the district championship game.
The Hornets were nearly perfect on defense as they held Ann Arbor Huron scoreless until the six-minute mark of the third quarter en route to a 45-23 win in the Division 1 district semifinal on Wednesday.
Saline now advances to face the winner of Dexter and Ann Arbor Skyline in the district final.
“Ever win in March is important,” said Saline coach Leigh Ann Roehm. “So, it doesn’t matter how ugly it is or how pretty it is, none of that shows up. It’s moving on and advancing. And all I can tell you is we get to practice tomorrow, so that’s what we’re focusing on.”
Sophomore Halle Powell continued her stellar season as the led the Hornets with a game-high 19 points.
“Halle has been just tremendous, and she does not look like a sophomore,” Roehm said. “I think that she’s handling the point (position)with such poise and calmness, and she’s got a lot of pressure on her, but she doesn’t look pressed.”
Senior standout Keira Roehm added 13 points and Harper Backus chipped in with six points for the Hornets, who improved to 20-3.
Huron closed its season at 5-18.
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Chelsea storms back with overtime win
The Bulldogs turned 30-17 deficit halftime into a 57-49 overtime win against Fowlerville.
Chelsea drew within two points in the final seconds of regulation when Gianna Barney scored the game-tying layup to send the game into overtime tied at 44.
The Bulldogs (14-7) owned the extra period, outscoring Fowlerville 13-5 to advance to Friday’s district final against Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard.
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FGR starts second season with convincing win
The Fighting Irish ended their losing skid to keep their season going with a 38-26 win over Williamston.
Vannesa Rodriguez led FGR with 18 points and Ava Rodriguez scored 10 points.
The Fighting Irish (15-8) will look for a third straight district title when it faces Chelsea on Friday.
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Whitmore Lake completes season sweep
The Trojans knocked off Brighton Livingston Christian for the second time behind a 47-38 victory.
Kaylie Livingston paced WL with 13 points and Grace Bennardi finished with 10 points.
Whitmore Lake (16-7) will look for its second consecutive district title when it faces Webberville on Friday.
The Trojans dropped a 29-25 decision to Webberville in the season opener.
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DISTRICT FINAL SCHEDULE
DIVISION 1
DISTRICT 15 HOSTED BY SALINE
7 p.m. – Saline (20-3) vs. Dexter (13-8)
Winner advances to Northville regional
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DIVISION 2
DISTRICT 50 HOSTED BY WILLIAMSTON
7 p.m. – Chelsea (14-7) vs. Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (15-8)
Winner advances to Tecumseh regional
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DIVISION 3
DISTRICT 84 HOSTED BY OTTAWA LAKE WHITEFORD
7 p.m. – Ypsilanti Arbor Prep (10-9) vs. Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (16-7)
Winner advances to Jackson Lumen Christi regional
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DIVISION 4
DISTRICT 116 HOSTED BY WEBBERVILLE
7 p.m. – Whitmore Lake (16-7) vs. Webberville (14-9)