Saline vs. Ann Arbor Huron: 5 Reasons They Can Win The District
Recap District 19, at Belleville High School, tipped off in grand fashion. Ann Arbor Huron and Saline matched up twice before, with Huron topping the Hornets both times. Last night they squared off for round 3. Huron started strong with…
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District 19, at Belleville High School, tipped off in grand fashion. Ann Arbor Huron and Saline matched up twice before, with Huron topping the Hornets both times. Last night they squared off for round 3. Huron started strong with sophomore guard Julian Lewis notching 6 of the teams first 11 points en route to an 8 point lead. Trevor Arico kept Saline within striking distance, scoring the first 6 points for the Hornets. Huron built the lead up to 7 before Griffin Yaklich erupted for 5 quick points to end the quarter. Both teams buckled down defensively in the 2nd stanza. Huron took a 25-20 lead into the half.
The 3rd quarter saw Saline take valient stabs at the lead, but Huron responded with a big bucket whenever it was needed. They held a 4 point edge heading into the final quarter. Griffin Yaklich had 13 2nd half points to lead the Saline charge. With less than 3 minutes to play Huron had a 4 point lead, 43-39. But Saline wouldn’t fold. Yaklich hit 1 of 2 free throws to make it a 1 possession game. Saline got a huge defensive stop, then Arico drilled an off balance 3 pointer to tie the game at 43.
Regulation finished with a defensive fury, and teams prepared for overtime. Sophomore forward Tyler Belskus was huge for Saline, hitting 2 triples in the extra period. Saline held Huron to just 3 points in the overtime session. When the buzzer sounded, the Hornets earned a 56-46 overtime win over Huron.
5 Reasons Saline Can Win The District
YOUTH
Saline has only 2 seniors on their roster. While they both start, the team only utilizes a freshman and a handful of sophomores off the bench. Sometimes it’s easier for younger players to forget that they weren’t picked to be there.
TOP NOTCH BACKCOURT
Griffin Yaklich and Trevor Arico are simply a VERY good backcourt. Yaklich is tough to stop going to the rim and Arico can catch fire from deep. They scored 42 of Saline’s 56 points against Ann Arbor Huron.
MOMENTUM
Saline’s win over Huron was one of their biggest in the last half decade. They are riding high and teams can play at a different level when they ride the wave of momentum.
COACHING
Jake Fosdick is a fiery young coach. He’ll go through a wall for his players and they will do the same for him. Fosdick consistently brings a tenacious defense to the floor.
FEBRUARY MADNESS
It’s not quite March, but the madness has arrived. The defending Division 1 state champs have already bowed out. Anything can happen come tournament time, and Saline seems ready to prove it.