Salem came into the game at 15-4, with losses to some of the best teams in the state in close games, including the number one ranked team. Tonight, they would have another big challenge in fifth ranked Waterford Kettering, who was favored to win after having a perfect 19-0 record entering the game.
Both teams are very strongly built around their defense, and that's how they got to the conference tournament game, both teams playing good defense once again made it a very exciting game. Neither team was allowing their competitors to get good shot selection, and it resulted in one of the lowest scoring games in the KLAA this year, even considering it went eight extra minutes.
Both teams had extremely good post play tonight. Shara Long lead the charge for the Rocks, getting quite a few decent looks inside, and getting key rebounds, especially late in the game. She led the team with a staggering 27 points, including a last second layup in overtime to send it to the second overtime period. Maranda Armstead also had a decent game in the paint tonight for the Rocks, and held her own against some of the strongest competition she has ever seen.
The Salem guards and wing players Hayley Rogers, Jamyra Wilson, and Katie Latack who started for the Rocks managed to keep Waterford Kettering from getting too many points, despite the fact that they couldn't seem to score as much as normal with Waterford playing great defense as well. Fortunately for the Rocks, Shara Long came through big time, knocking down three three-point shot attempts, a shot she very rarely takes. Maranda Armstead, a senior on the Salem team had this to say after the game tonight;
"We came out of the gets and started to play their game. Once we calmed down, we started to take control." When the author asked how she felt about this being her (and the other seniors) last home game together, she also added "I'm really happy with how the seniors played their last game at home together, but I can rest in the fact we laid it all out on the court." The "Senior Six" in general seem to agree with that, and they all played their hearts out in the win. Hayley Rogers, also a senior added;
"We came out, and Shara hit some big threes to keep us in the game. From there, it was a grind. Our team defense was solid for most of the game, especially once we got to overtime." When asked how she felt about her last home game as a senior she said; "It felt surreal. I am very honored to play with this team, and especially the other seniors." Shara Long was open to a couple of questions as well. She had this to say in response to how she felt as a senior leaving the floor with a win;
"I felt like I had to leave everything on the floor. Since it was my last time playing at Salem, I knew I had to give it my all, and show why our team is where we are now." Shara, after recovering from a minor injury sustained at the end of the last play, left the floor to a huge MVP chant from the team and crowd after her phenomenal efforts this season. When asked how she felt, she said; "Honestly, it felt amazing, but that win wasn't all because of me, it was a team game. I'm so grateful for all my teammates and I want them to feel like they can count on me, and I felt like I did a pretty good job coming through for them tonight."
Katie Latack, one of the leaders of the Salem team who has done extremely well in the role, also had a comment on the game as well. When asked how she felt about this being her last game as a senior, she responded with;
"It was one of the greatest feelings ever. It was awesome to see all the support we had. Our parents were as happy, if not happier than we were about the win tonight. Our parents have always been our biggest supporters, and it is the best feeling to see how excited and happy they were tonight for us. I've played so many games on (the Salem) floor, and I couldn't ask for a better last game there. So many memories were made, and this game tonight will forever be the top one. I couldn't be more proud of how my team played." Latack, as well as the rest of the seniors still have more games left with their team, but none of them will be on home court as the state tournament calls for a "neutral site" game, however for most of the team, including Katie, tonight will be a night they remember for a very long time, especially Coach Klemmer, who has worked very hard with this team and these girls to help them achieve as much as they have.
Leah Moss, one of the team’s role players who didn't play tonight due to a coach's decision was one of the main cheerleaders on the bench tonight, along with fellow Junior Marissa Martin, who also did not play due to coach's decision. Leah had this to say after the game;
"It was an awesome experience, and I'm very happy to be a part of this family." This team, as Leah mentioned, have a very close bond with each other, and all of them have become close with each other as the season progressed. Regardless of what grade level, experience on the team, etc. they have had, they are all friends on and off the court, and it looks like they are having a lot of fun out there. She also added, "It is going to be so different without all of our seniors. I (as well as the rest of the team) will really miss them, however, it will be a lot of fun getting to know a whole new team, and getting to be close with them as well." Marisa Martin, also added;
"The win tonight felt great, and our team truly is a big family. I'm so proud of our seniors, and am so thankful to be able to contribute to make their last season amazing." Being seniors on the team next year will also present both Leah and Marisa with many leadership opportunities as well, and this group of younger players has learned a lot from the group of seniors.
The Salem Rocks, who won 47-40 after hitting their free throws very well in double overtime, clinched their first league title under Coach Klemmer, and only the second since the high school has been keeping track on the walls of the school, the only other recorded one in 2009.
Coach Klemmer, who came in partially through the year last year has helped make the Salem Rocks girls basketball team something all the students can be proud of. They are legitimate contenders to go far in the state tournament, and put Salem High School on the map. The Rocks have won 16 straight since losing the first four, and absolutely dominated the KLAA Conference this season.
Their ultimate quest, the state wide tournament, starts with the District Tournament, taking place at Novi High School against the Plymouth Wildcats, who look to avenge a loss from the Conference Championship game when Salem dominated and won by 20 points.
After what everyone saw tonight out of these girls though, anything is possible, and this team, the coach, and the fans all believe that this team can do anything. While they do have a long tough road ahead, they've gone through all kinds of struggles from injuries, to losing by 20 to Plymouth the first game of the year, to playing some of the best girls’ basketball teams across the state. With a little bit of luck, the road could lead all the way to a state championship for the Salem Rocks, but as the famous saying goes; "Just take it one game at a time".