By By JEFF FISHER / Niles Daily Star
MISHAWAKA, Ind. – Cassopolis' Dee Dee Hawkins scored 15 points for the Michigan All-Stars, but it wasn't enough as they dropped a 57-55 decision to Indiana Metro Tuesday night in Sports Fest action.
Despite the setback, Michigan head coach Floyd Foston (Cassopolis) had nothing but praise for Hawkins, who is headed to Grand Valley State in the fall.
"She was as steady as she was for me the last four years. She was a good inside presence and was strong around the basket. She could rebound and block shots. She has been a solid player and she showed that tonight," Foston continued. "I had fun. I really had fun. I hope the girls enjoyed it. Good competition, we camp up two points short and it was a good game."
Both teams played a tight first half as the lead switched hands numerous times.
Michigan took a 32-30 lead late in the first half on a basket from Miranda Strefling (Bridgman). Hawkins converted on a basket-plus-foul shot to give Michigan a 37-31 lead at the break.
Michigan led by 10 points in the second half., but Penn's Kate Kasinski canned a three-pointer to begin a 10-0 run to tie the game at 41.
Metro regained the lead late in the second half after Washington's Lauren Archie made back-to-back lay-ups created by steals.
Michigan had some last second chances to score at the end, but a few untimely turnovers with under 30 seconds to play spoiled a chance to play in the championship game.
Other top scorers on the night were Lindsay Ransbottom (Marcellus) with 11 points and Strefling with nine.
Michigan falls to 3-3 in SPorts Fest play overall n girls' basketball, with one championship in 2005.
Metro … 57
Michigan … 55
METRO (57) – Sherice White 6 0-0 12, Tiffany Miller 6 1-3 13, Colombe Martin 1 4-7 6, Lauren Archie 7 1-2 17, Sunsea Shaw 0 0-2 0, Kate Jasinski 4 0-0 9, Morgan Malone 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 24 6-14 57.
MICHIGAN (55) – Dee Dee Hawkins 5 5-7 15, Miranda Strefling 4 0-0 9, Lindsey Ransbottom 5 1-3 11, Catie Osborn 2 0-0 4, Ashley Raklovits 1 0-0 2, Heather Totzke 2 0-0 5, Katie Pappa 0 0-0 0, Valarie Schlutt 2 0-0 5, Nikitas Nelson 2 0-0 4. TOTALS: 23 6-10 55.
Halftime score: Michigan 37, Metro 31.
3-point goals: Metro 3 (Archie 2, Jasinski 1), Michigan 3 (Totzke 1, Schlutt 1, Strefling 1). Total fouls: Metro 14, Michigan 14. Field goal shooting: Michigan 23 of 60 (38 percent), Metro 24 of 65 (37 percent. Rebounding: Michigan 54 (Hawkins 20, Ransbottom 10), Metro 32 (Archie 7). Turnovers: Michigan 34, Metro 18.