Lady Hawks championship hopes dashed
BY KRISTI REED
Mill Creek’s stellar season came to an end Thursday with a 66-51 loss to third ranked Stephenson. A region championship and an outstanding 27-2 record were little consolation to the devastated Lady Hawks as they dejectedly filed off the court after a tough semifinal loss to the eventual state champions.
Mill Creek head coach Ashley Phillips had nothing but praise for the Lady Hawks’ great effort and teamwork.
“It’s something to be proud of to go as far as we did,” he said. “We did a good job playing with a lot of effort.”
Though clearly disappointed by the loss, Phillips said his team did everything they could to win.
“You can’t ask for any more than what they gave,” he said.
Mill Creek played hard, but the loss of 5’11” star forward Olivia Towers-Solis early in the first period to a knee injury strained the Lady Hawks’ bench and left the team vulnerable under the goal. With three players 6’ or taller, the Lady Jaguars had a distinct size advantage over the smaller Mill Creek team.
The first period was a defensive battle as neither team was able to mount much offense. Porsha Porter and Whitney Smith scored five points each to tie the score 10-10 after the first eight minutes of play.
Mill Creek was successful in beating the Stephenson press in the first half, but enjoyed only limited success offensively as the big Stephenson team controlled the lane. Porter and Smith combined for an additional ten points in the second period to keep the game tied 20-20 at the half.
A reinvigorated Mill Creek team took the court after intermission. The Lady Hawks jumped ahead 22-20 after converting a Stephenson turnover for a score. The Lady Jaguars fought back, but Mill Creek was able to maintain a slim lead throughout the third period. Back to back baskets by Smith gave the Lady Hawks an eight point lead, their biggest of the night, heading into the fourth quarter.
Stephenson cut Mill Creek’s lead to 42-38 early in the fourth. The four point run was a precursor of worse things to come for the Lady Hawks. The Lady Jaguars continued to press Mill Creek, this time successfully, forcing nine turnovers during the last period of play.
With less than four minutes left in the game, Stephenson took the lead during a critical 11-3 run against Mill Creek. That run was part of an overall effort that saw the Lady Jaguars outscore the beleaguered Lady Hawks 32-9 in the fourth.
With under two minutes to play, Stephenson had opened their lead to nine points. A three-pointer from Porter closed the gap to six with 55 seconds on the clock. Those three points were to be the last of Porter’s high school career and the last of Mill Creek’s season as Stephenson scored seven points in quick succession to seal the Lady Jaguars’ 66-51 victory.
While proud of his entire team, Phillips praised Porter for her four years as the “cornerstone” of the Lady Hawks’ basketball program.
“What she does for us statistically is important, but what she does for us in terms of her effort and in terms of being a floor general is what I’m really proud of,” he said. “She learned how to make the players around her better and that is the mark of a great player.”
Porter led Mill Creek with 23 points, seven steals, five rebounds and five assists despite being double and, at times, triple teamed.
Phillips also complimented Whitney Smith for stepping in for the injured Towers-Solis and performing well throughout the state tournament. Smith scored 14 points as she and Porter accounted for 70 percent of Mill Creek’s scoring during the game.
Moneshia Simmons added seven points and was the Lady Hawks’ top rebounder with ten boards. Monique Weathers pulled down seven rebounds and scored five points.
Phillips said fatigue was a big factor in the loss.
“I think the depth hurt us. You take Olivia out of the lineup, and, not to make excuses, but obviously kids have to play more. Porsha didn’t come out until those last few seconds,” he said.
“I don’t think [Stephenson was] in better condition than us, I just think they played more players. We play so hard, we have to have that rotation. I tried to do as much as I could, but their time on the bench got cut to about half of what they would normally get and Porsha’s got cut out completely,” he added.
Phillips said it was going to be a shame no matter which team lost in the semifinal round.
“[The girls’] effort was so good,” he said. “There is a lot you can’t control. To me, your highest standard is to play the best you can play. If our goal is just to win the game, to me that’s a lower standard than playing to our potential.”
