The Rocks and Wildcats are two teams that have become bitter basketball rivals, and tonight was game two of three this year. Salem came out firing, took a huge lead to start the game, and kept on hitting their shots. Plymouth had to contend with great post play all game on both sides of the ball from Shara Long, and Maranda Armstead, as well as Hayley Rogers who had one of the best games of her career tonight.

Katie Latack, one of the senior leaders on the Rocks also played good basketball and was fantastic on the defensive end, stopping many of the fast break opportunities that Plymouth had throughout the game. The Rocks would stay up the rest of the game, and ended up winning by 20 points in a 50-30 win.

The bench players from each side both played a significant role in the game tonight as well. Marisa Martin hit two free throws at the end of the game, Alison First came in to give some of the key rocks players a couple minutes of rest, Lasha Petree was a perfect sixth women playing good in the post, and Zoe Talley had a solid game as well, despite being overshadowed by the stars on the team. Leah Moss and the rest of the bench kept up the intensity, and made some noise tonight, and were actively supporting their teammates all game.

"It was great. The fans were really loud tonight, and it got the bench into it. The fans started some chants and we'd cheer with them, and vice Versa. All the support was great," Salem’s assistant coach said after the game.

Rocks Senior Shara Long added some keys to the game as well.

"We played great team offense and defense. We moved the ball well, we locked Kendall (Rose) down, and she finished with no points, which was great. On offense we had great looks inside, good passing, and we always had the extra shot, which is really good." 

Jamyra Wilson also had something to say after the Rocks victory tonight.

"In the first half, we really came out and scored well. We shot well tonight. In the second half, we kept up our defense, and that's really all we had to do."

Katie Latack, one of the key starters on the team said, "I think we played a great game as a team. We were really well prepared and came out with high intensity, and executed well. Hayley came out hot, Jamyra (Wilson) played great defense, and everyone else contributed (when needed). We are playing great team basketball right now, and are just looking to improve every day. For (the Rocks), it's all about heart, hard work, and hustle.”

The victory makes the Rocks the Kensington Lakes Athletic Association Conference Champions. When asked how she felt about the title, Shara said;

"It's great! It's really great. Like, super, super great! We've all been working really hard for this, and yeah. It was just great."

Katie, also a Senior leader on the Rocks team added;

"It feels great! I haven't been this happy in a while. We work so hard as a team, and I think this Conference Championship was well deserved. (The) seniors have been waiting four years for this moment, and now we finally won it. We couldn't be happier. I'm thankful that I have the team that I do who puts 110% into everything they do, and I'm thankful that I got to celebrate with them."

Jamyra Wilson when asked the same responded with;

"It's like the American Dream. It's all we've been wanting, our seniors especially. We got it, and we're going to keep it!"

It is the Rocks’ first Conference title under coach Lindsay Klemmer, who's already looking forward to the League Championship against Waterford Kettering, the other Conference Champions, and after that, they will open up District State Tournament play against, none other than the Plymouth Wildcats.

"It's going to be a crazy game. Each team has won by 20 points against the other on home turf, but it will be interesting to see who wins on a neutral site," One fan said after the game. Another fan said this about the game tonight;

"Being these girls coach when they were younger, I'm extremely proud of the senior six. It's been a long ride for these girls, they've fought through a lot of adversity (including injuries) and they have fought hard to get to where they're at now," One of the Rocks main supporters said.

The Rocks have won every game since division play started, and have been lights out on both sides of the ball. They look forward to continuing that for the rest of this season.

Plymouth's season is not over yet. They still have one more game left on Thursday night before going head to head with Salem in the State Tournament, in what looks to be a very exciting game on a neutral floor in Novi.

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About the author
Chris Robbins
Mostly cover Detroit Sports (Red Wings, Tigers, Lions, Pistons), Michigan and Michigan State athletics, as well as NCAA, National and International Gymnastics.