Division 3, Regional 24 Semifinal: USA sneaks past Ithaca, Beecher bounces Millington

Unionville-Sebewaing 63. Ithaca 60 (OT) What started as a clear path to the Regional Finals for Unionville-Sebewaing ended in an Ithaca comeback effort fallen short. The Sixth-ranked Patriots couldn't miss in the first half, draining nine three-pointers that helped them go into the break with a 16-point lead. Accounting for six of those first-half three's was Landin Zimmer (2020), who remained hot the entire night. But once USA took their foot off the gas, Ithaca began to make their move. Halftime adjustments got the Yellowjackets moving in the right direction and chipping away at the Patriots lead. Leading Ithaca's rally was Tom Steward (2019), who knocked down back-to-back three's as a part of a Yellowjacket 8-0 run that capped off the third quarter. With 2:30 left in the fourth, Steward came through once again with back-to-back three's that cut USA's lead to just two points. A scrum in the final seconds ended with the ball in Ithaca's hands and a Peyton Smith (2020) lay-up to force overtime. The extra period featured more of the same, starting with a three from USA's Zimmer, followed by two more from Ithaca's Steward. But down the stretch it was free-throws from Kyle Maust (2019) and Micah Cramer (2019) that sealed the Patriots win and ended the Yellowjackets season. FIVE STARS MVP: Landin Zimmer (2020) - USA Zimmer could not be stopped in the first half, knocking down six three's, finishing the night with seven buckets from beyond the arc for a team-high 26 points. The junior sharpshooter is a gamer who demanded the ball in the first half, and his teammates got it to him. Ithaca did all they could to silence him for two quarters. But he knocked down his seventh three in the opening seconds of overtime that propelled the Patriots to victory. OFFENSIVE MVP: Tom Steward (2019) - Ithaca Steward went into the lockeroom at half feeling defeated and came out of the break a different man. He single-handedly took over the game in the second half, scoring 10 of his teams 19 third-quarter points that ended on an 8-0 run by Ithaca. Steward also had six in the fourth and eight in overtime, totaling a game-high 29 points. Within an otherwise stagnant offense, Steward's ability to shoot the ball and stretch the floor with his long frame is what completely changed this game in the second half. The senior Yellowjacket finished the evening with seven three-pointers. Outside of Steward, it was Ben Drowley (2020) with 11 points, Sage Walker (2019) with nine and Baylee Chaffin (2019) with eight. With the loss, Ithaca finishes its season 17-6. DEFENSIVE MVP: Nash Morton (2020) - USA Night after night Morton has been faced with the tall task of guarding the opposition's best player, and Tuesday night was no different. Morton's scrappy hands and quick feet forced Ithaca to find other offensive options outside of Peyton Smith (2020), who finished the night with just three points. Morton's biggest test of the season will come on Thursday when he does his best to lock up the talented Jalen Terry (2020) of Flint Beecher. UNDERCLASSMAN OF THE NIGHT: Connor Gettel (2021) - USA Gettel came in off the bench and got in on the fun early, knocking down a three in the first quarter to add to Zimmer's fun beyond the arc. Gettel finished the night with only five points, but it was what he did outside of the score book that had the biggest impact in USA's win. His ability to rebound the ball, creating valuable second-chances on offense played a crucial role in the Patriots victory. As did his willingness to get on the floor for loose balls. Honorable mention for this award goes to Ithaca's Sage Walker, who came off the bench and netted nine points in the loss. GRIT AWARD: Tyler Heckroth (2019) - USA Gettel would also be a worthy recipient of this award, but instead it's going to Patriot senior guard Heckroth, who scored 11 points in alongside Kyle Maust's (2019) 10 points. In the second half of the season, Heckroth became more content with not always being the focal point of USA's offense. Instead, he found other ways to motivate his teammates - getting loose balls, scrapping for rebounds, dishing out assists and playing lock-down defense. Heckroth had a trio of three-pointers and contributed his fair share to the Patriots floor production - but it's also easy to see that he's having a blast in his final run. Motivating his teammates on offense, defense and even occasionally from his seat on the sidelines.   Flint Beecher 64, Millington 40 Flint Beecher has waited all season to get revenge on Unionville-Sebewaing, who dashed the Bucs state title dreams last season by defeating them in the Regional finals. After taking down Millington with ease Tuesday night, No. 1 ranked Beacher will finally get that chance in Thursday's Regional final contest where they hope to hand the Patriots their first and only loss of the season. Jalen Terry (2020) led the Bucs into the Regional title game by tallying 21 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals while Earnest Sanders (2020) accounted for 16 points, 10 boards and four steals. Carmelo Harris (2022) finished with eight points and five assists alongside Keyon Menifield (2021), who netted seven points, five assists and three steals. Leading the way for the Cardinals (15-7) in the final contest of the season was Ethan Brady (2019) with 18 points. <blockquote> DIVISION 3 Regional 24 at Bad Axe High School Tuesday, March 5 Unionville-Sebewaing 63, Ithaca 60 (OT) Flint Beecher 64, Millington 40 Thursday, March 7 Unionville-Sebewaing (22-0) vs. Flint Beecher (22-2) - 7PM Winner of Thursday's Regional Final moves on to Division 3 Quarterfinal 12 to play the winner of Madison Heights Madison (21-3) and Detroit Edison Public School Academy (16-7) at St. Clair Community College. </blockquote>