Source: MI Prep Zone
Author: MARK H. STOWERS
FARMINGTON — The championship hardware just keeps piling up for the Farmington Hills Mercy. First it was a Catholic League Championship in mid-February and now the team picked up a Class A district title over North Farmington on Friday night, 32-30.
With 13 seconds left in the game, North Farmington had battled back from a seven-point deficit to get within one, 31-30 when Sam Randel nailed a 3-pointer. North Farmington head coach Jeff Simpson called a timeout to draw up a comeback plan. After a quick foul, that put Mercy’s Becca Heaman on the line, who hit one of two free throws to make it 32-30 with 11 seconds left, North Farmington worked it down the court, but a swarming Mercy defense cut off passing lanes and Sophie Muller was forced to take an errant three-pointer as time expired.
“We knew it was going to be a battle,” Mercy coach Gary Morris said. “We had seen them several times and they are a very good team and they present a lot of problems when you try to defend them.”
North Farmington coach Jeff Simpson worked hard to communicate to his team throughout the game.
“We got down by seven and all I told them was ‘don’t panic. Trust in what we’ve done all year.’ And to my kids credit they fought until the last shot of the game. We were trying to attack a seam and if we got an open kick out we’d take it or if not we’d attack the rim. We didn’t get the attack we wanted,” Simpson said.
The low scoring game – 8-6 after one and only 14-11 at halftime for Mercy and 20-17 after three – did feature a bevy of three-pointers. Mercy hit three while North Farmington added five (and only three field goals.) Jess Mruzik led the team with nine points. Chloe Godbold added eight points while Jackie Bauer had seven. Jenna Schluter and Katie Coe each finished with four. The team hit 6-of-12 free throws for 50 percent.
Kierra Crockett led North Farmington (16-6) with 13 points and seven rebounds while Sam Cherney had seven points, seven rebounds and six blocks. Sam Randel added six. North Farmington hit 9-of-12 free throws for 75 percent.
Mercy advances to take on Hartland in the regional on Tuesday night.
“We’ve seen Hartland and they are an outstanding team,” Morris said.
Simpson is losing four seniors, Sophie Muller, Kierra Crockett, Sam Randel and Kelly Lusk and looks to rebuild for next season.