Girls Basketball: Smith, Patel lead Huron comeback in final seconds against Bedford

When the Kicking Mules showed up in Ann Arbor on Friday night to face the River Rats, a storm was heading this way. The storm arrived early as two of the top girls’ basketball teams in the SEC Red Division hunkered in for a classic showdown.

Bedford came into the building with an 8-0 record. Huron was sporting a solid 8-2 mark against some strong competition. Sparks would fly and it would come down to the final seconds.

With 18 seconds to go and the River Rats trailing 51-48, Huron senior Siena Smith dropped a triple to tie the game at 51-51. The River Rats were able to get the ball back and got the ball in the hands of Reeya Patel. The talented senior got to the basket and delivered the game-winning layup with just 2 seconds to play in the game for a 53-51 Huron victory.

The River Rats improved to 9-2 and in the process handed the Kicking Mules their first loss of the season.

“It was a hard-fought win against a good team,” said Huron Coach Scott Hunter.

It was close game from the opening tip to the finish line. The game was tied 11-11 after the first quarter and Huron took a 35-32 lead into halftime. Bedford went on a run in the third quarter to take a 42-37 lead into the fourth quarter.

The River Rats scored 16 points in the fourth quarter while holding Bedford to nine points.

Huron had three players in double figures. Siena Smith led the way with 18 points while Patel and senior Alexa Lyon each scored 12.

The River Rats have some big games coming up including two city-rivalry matchups. Huron hosts Skyline at 5:30 p.m. on Friday as part of a girls-boys doubleheader. They play at Saline on Jan. 28. The Hornets are one of the better teams in the area if not the state. And the River Rats host Pioneer at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 as part of a girls-boys doubleheader.