It’s the same opponent, but vastly different circumstances for the Hartland girls basketball team as it takes on Lakeland in a Division 1 regional semifinal tonight at Fenton.
“Last year, they had a lot of kids gone for spring break,” Hartland coach ‘don Palmer said. “”I know the Lakeland coach (Michael Smith) very well, and I called him and said, ‘We need to play. I don;t want to just go into the (regional) final without playing a game.’ YOu don’t want to go to the finals on a bye.”
ast year, the season started late due to Covid-19 restrictions, and many families, thinking there would be no season, made spring break plans that couldn’t be broken when the postseason began in late March As a result, Lakeland had just seven players, including two varsity players, and Palmer used his bench extensively in a 69-31 victory.
One of those Lakeland players, Molly Libby, scored most of Lakeland’s points, and she returns tonight with a more experienced supporting cast tonight when Lakeland and Hartland meet in the second game of a Division 1 regional doubleheader. The game will be broadcast on The Livingston Post at about 7 p.m. Click here for the link.
“I don’t know a lot about them,” Palmer said. “I’ve only seen one tape, but I know the coaches on the staff, and they’re good coaches.”
Lakeland (16-6) beat Milford in Friday’s district final at Walled Lake Central 28-25.
“I watched that game and it looked like your typical rivalry game when Milford plays Lakeland,” Palmer said. “Both teams had shots that just issed, and I thought it was a solid defensive game. They’re usually low-socring because one team know what the other team is trying to do, and there’s the pressure of a district tile.”
Hartland (21-1) had a similar experience on Friday, downing Howell for the third time this season, 45=36, in a game that was well-attended and saw the Eagles win a fourth consecutive district crown.
“We’re coming off a big emotional win, and you’re always worried about a letdown,” Palmer said. “But in tournament play, you’ve got to grind out wins. We’ve established that we’re pretty good offensively, and we’re getting better defensively and you’ve got to keep taking steps forward.”
