You could hardly find two teams more like each other, with subtle differences, than in tonight’s KLAA West showdown between Howell and Hartland at Hartland High School.
Both teams have steady point guards, forwards who are threats inside and outside and post players who can score and rebound.
Last year, Howell had 6-2 senior Erin Honkala, whom Hartland coach Don Palmer said was more a factor on defense than on offense. This year, Hartland has 6-2 freshman Whitney Sollom, who like Honkala forces opponents to alter their shots as well as controlling the boards.
“This will probably get down to what it always gets down to,” Palmer said, “Who plays the best defense for the longest time, and who has the best rebounding.”
The game will be broadcast live on The Livingston Post, beginning at around 7 p.m.
The teams played four times last year, twice in the regular season, once in the KLAA tournament and again at districts. Howell won all four.
Howell (8-0 overall) and Hartland (8-1) both are 3-0 in the division, having won on Friday. Howell rolled past Pinckney 65-40, while Hartland held off a game Brighton team down the stretch, 43-37.
“It typically comes to free throws and layups,” Howell coach Tim Olszewski said. “Whatever team executes and finishes and rebounds well on offense will have the advantage.”
Each team has what could be considered a Big Three of returning players. For Howell, it’s guards Lexie Miller and Paige Johnson along with forward Leah Weslock, while Hartland features guards Michelle Moraitis and Greyson Cockerham and forward Lexey Tobel.
The Highlanders also have junior Amanda Corsten, a key reserve last year who has come on as a starter this season, including 14 points against Pinckney on Friday, and freshman Kaylee Wendel, who had 16 points against the Pirates.
But the Eagles counter with Whitney Sollom, who is still blooming as a basketball player while becoming the team’s leading scorer.
“I think a four- or six-point lead is going to be a big lead, like 10 or 15 in other games,” Palmer said. “I think if you have some defensive lapses, if you leave kids open it’s going to cost you. I don’t think people are going to play the perfect game, but you’ve got to make them earn their points.
“It’s a very, very important game for both teams,” he continued, “but maybe a little more important for us, because if we can’t beat them at home, we’ve got to run the table again to have a shot at them at their place, and that’s not an enviable position.”
