Howell’s girls basketball team has a pair of tests so far this season.
The first was a home game againt Midland Dow, which reached the Division 1 semifinals last winter, followed by Erie Mason, a Division 3 school looking for a challenge.
Tonight, the HIghlanders will play host to Williamston, a Division 2 school that competes in the same Capital Area Activities Conference division as Fowlerville. The game will be broadcast on The Livingston Post. Click here for a link.
“I was able to watch them play at the Legacy Center earlier this year and they are exactly what they’ve always been,” Howell coach Tim Olszewski said. “They’re extremely tough defensively and they’re not afraid to let the 3-ball fly, so you’ve got to get back in transition. You’ve also got to make sure that you’re patient on offense, because they’re one of the most disciplined, and tough defensive teams I’ve seen.”
The Highlanders (1-1) are coming off a 74-47 home win against Erie Mason on Friday. The visiting Eagles
“We came got on the schedule after a planned game with Ann Arbor Pioneer fell through. The Eagles went 14-1 last season.
“We came out and couldn’t hit a shot in the first half,” Olszewski said of Friday’s game. “We were only up a few points at halftime, but the girls kept executing and sticking to the plan and the shots started to fall. I think they’re learning what it means to play smart and when to take a good shot. I saw some improvement (Friday), and I hope it continues.”
The HIghlanders are led by point guard Maeve St. John, who is also their leading scorer and one of only two seniors on the team. Sophie Daugard and Mollt Duerloo also see major playing time on a team with two freshmen seeing significant time.
The HIghlanders are well stocked with players, with teams at all three levels this season, which is increasingly a luxury in girls basketball.
“We have good numbers at all levels,” Olszewski said. “I think, univerally, this is the strongest this program has been at all levels since I’ve been here. And we had 110 kids in our instructional league, so I think good things are coming.”
The HIghlanders are looking to keep that development going tonight.
