Don Palmer isn’t downplaying the challenge his Hartland girls basketball team faces this week.
It begins tonight with a game at Howell, and ends with a home game against Brighton on Friday.
“This is a big week for us,” he said. “We could get knocked out of (the KLAA West Division race) this week. Whatever happens, we have to accept it.”
The Eagles take on the Highlanders in a game that will be broadcast on The Livingston Post at about 7 p.m,.
Tonight’s game will be for sole possession of first place in the KLAA West. Both Hartland (6-0 overall) and Howell (4-3) are 3-0 in the division.
“They’re a very good team and we have a lot of good teams in the division,” Howell coach Tim Olszewski said. “We’re looking forward to the opportunity to face a high-quality team, and, hopefully, it will turn out in our favor.”
The Eagles, ranked No. 2 in the state in one poll, have an array of weapons in seniors Lauren Sollom, who had 24 points in a win at Salem last week, along with sharp-shooters Gracey Metz and Leah Lappin and point guard Amanda Roach.
“We’ve got to be concerned about not letting them get too many shots, and really try to keep them off the boards,” Olszewski said. “If you give them time, they can shoot. They do cause a lot of issues defensively.”
The least experienced position on the floor for the Eagles is center, where 6-4 senior Kate Jacobs and 6-0 sophomore Sarah Rekowski are gaining experience.
“They’re a work in progress,” Palmer said. “We’re kind of using them as one player.”
The Highlanders rely on senior point guard Maeve St. John, who tied a school record for assists in a win against Plymouth last week.
“She’s a handful,” Palmer said. “She scores points for them and also created points for others. She’s a concern, and (Molly) Duerloo has been around for a couple of years, and she’s a feisty player, too.”
The Highlanders’ three losses have come against Midland Dow, ranked No. 1 in the state, and two traditional powers in Birmingham Marian and Williamston.
Olszewski says Hartland is another quality team on the schedule.
“Anytime you’re going up against a team with three or four girls who are six feet and over, it can be a little bit of a problem,” he said. “But we’re going to give it our best effort.”
As for Hartland, win or lose,the Eagles will have to put tonight’s in the past rather quickly.
“Whatever happens, we have to accept it,” Palmer said. “You don’t have time to feel bd for yourself in this game, because we’ll be playing three days afer that. We’ll have to prepare for Brighton. But we have to worry about (Howell) first.”
