Girls Basketball: Eagles send seniors off with a victory over Ypsilanti
Victory on Senior Night for the Eagles!
The Skyline girls’ basketball team ended its regular season with a strong showing and Senior Night victory over the neighboring Ypsilanti Grizzlies. Friday’s victory capped off a four-year Varsity career for each of the Class of 2020 – Alaina Heetderks, Janee Faulkner, Renee Faulkner, and Cammi Tirico.
The stands were full and the pep band was loud as the game got off to a quick start with Chala House and Alaina Heetderks hitting three-pointers in the first quarter. Full court pressure and strong person-to-person defense was the theme of the game, and the quarter ended in a 7-7 tie. Ypsi came out strong and took advantage of their size inside the paint. Renee Faulkner dominance inside was on display with her strong drives to the basketball and 4 hard-earned second quarter points. The full-court pressure continued and Ypsi went into halftime up by four, 20-16.
Out of the locker room it was Skyline who showed the most determination and quickly cut the lead with strong full court pressure. Cammi Tirico made a quick steal and basket early in the second half and forced another turnover by Ypsi. The lead never extended past six and both teams exchanged buckets, with Janee and Renee Faulkner, Heetderks, and House adding to the point totals. Strong defense from sophomore Maya Wooley, freshman Jillian Boynton, and juniors Ava Victory and Clare Salata, were keys to containing the Grizzlies run.
The “never-give-up” ALL OUT attitude that has been on display all season long – and for 4 years for the Class of 2020 – was the key to the Eagles owning the fourth quarter. Freshman Ava Perry showed no first-year jitters as she knocked down four of her five baskets and important free throws. Heetderks and Janee Faulkner were also clutch on the free throw line as Skyline increased the lead to eight points. Skyline continued to pressure the Grizzlies into taking poor shots and were able to control the game with good decisions in the end.
As the horn sounded, Skyline had their first victory of the year over a solid Ypsilanti team, 48-43!
The victory was a full team effort – with all players earning key minutes – and strong efforts on both offensive and defensive ends of the court. Freshman Ava Perry had 14 points and Janee Faulkner and Alaina Heetdeerks contributed 10 and 9 respectively to lead the Eagles on the offensive end. Renee Faulkner with 6, Chala House with 5, and Cammi Tirico with 4 points all contributed key buckets. Congratulation on a strong finish to the regular season!
The Class of 2020 can be proud of the contributions that it has made to the Skyline Eagles women’s basketball program. Each senior thanked their teammates and coaches, family and friends, for the special memories that they will cherish. The pre-game ceremony honored each senior and had a special message from Coach Horne.
“ Their work ethic and love for the game has been on display for the past four years practice after practice and game after game,” said Coach Horne. “With the dedication that you four young ladies have exhibited over the years I could not have picked a better foursome to start my time here at Skyline with than Alaina, Cammi, Janee, and Renee…. I have no doubt that you all will be successful in college, because you have proven yourselves to be the true meaning of a student-athlete in the classroom and on the court.”
