THREE OAKS — In limited action Wednesday, Brandywine girls basketball player Makenna Hartline scored a career-high 22 points to lead the fourth-ranked (Class C) Bobcats past Bridgman, 66-24, in district semifinal action.

Brandywine, which is a five-time time defending district champion, advances to the finals Friday at 7 p.m. at River Valley High School.

Because of the lopsided score, Hartline sat out most of the second half. She scored 20 of her points and grabbed nine of her 11 rebounds in the first half. The Bobcats, who jumped out to an 11-0 lead, led 40-17 at halftime.

It was the third easy win by Brandywine over Bridgman this season. During the regular season, the Bobcats prevailed over the Bees, 56-13 and 61-19.

“She did a really good job of stepping up,” said Brandywine coach Josh Hood about Hartline’s big scoring night. “The last two years, post Carlie (Newman), we’ve had four to five girls that average between eight and 12 points. It’s somebody different every night.”

Emily Erwin broke the school’s single-season record for 3-pointers made in a season. Her 3-pointer in the the third quarter gave her 62 for the year, breaking Newman’s single-season record.

Tammy Lee scored nine points and had five steals for the Bobcats, who forced the Bees into 33 turnovers.

Brandywine got 20 points from its bench.

The Bobcats, who improved to 20-0, owned a 39-17 rebounding advantage with Michaela Hartline contributing six rebounds.

“I was disappointed with our first half,” Hood said. “I didn’t think we had the intensity and the effort. It was business-like and we took care of business.”

Amara Mavrakis scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds for Bridgman, which finishes at 5-15.

“We’re excited,” Hood said about reaching the finals. “I let the girls know after the game that nobody remembers the district runners-up. We’re going to have to play our best game of the year Friday night to come out as a district champion.”

 

Brandywine 66, Bridgman 24

BRANDYWINE 66

Makenna Hartline 22, Michaela Hartline 3, Victoria Ebersol 6, Tammy Lee 9, Emily Erwin 6, Jaleesa Garner 3, Alyssa Bolen 0, Tia Hullinger 2, Hannah Horst 6, Rachael Szilagyi 4, Makena Bowen 3, Mia Stella 2, Chelsie Luczkowski 0. TOTALS: 27 6-16 66

BRIDGMAN 24

Alexis Napper-Myers 0, Lilee VandeZande 4, Jordan Jones 5, Kennedy Jones 0, Cassie Amicarelli 0, Amara Mavrakis 15, Becca Stemm 0, Beka Enders 0, Jasmine Jones 0, Alexandria Ansinn 0, Julie Jasper 0. TOTALS: 11 1-3 24

 

 

Brandywine               19       40       61       66

Bridgman                   8          17       19       24

3-point baskets: Brandywine 6 (Ebersol 2, Erwin 2, Michaela Hartline, Bowen), Bridgman 1 (Jordan Jones). Total fouls (fouled out): Brandywine 10 (none), Bridgman 14 (none). Shooting: Brandywine 27-of-63 for 43-percent, Bridgman 11-of-29 for 38-percent. Rebounding: Brandywine 39 (Makenna Hartline 11), Bridgman 17 (Mavrakis 8). Turnovers: Brandywine 14, Bridgman 33. Varsity records: Brandywine 20-0, Bridgman 5-15