Saugatuck girls basketball rallies with back-to-back 3s to claim back-to-back district titles
· Yahoo Sports
SAUGATUCK - When Mylah Simpson's 3-pointer went through the net to give Saugatuck the lead, the Saugatuck fans got on their feet.
When Penny Grob drained another just seconds later, the Saugatuck gym erupted.
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The Trailblazers came back from eight points down multiple times in the second half to beat Grandville Calvin Christian 63-56 for the Division 3 district championship on Friday, March 6, at home.
"When I took that shot, I was not looking at the scoreboard. It wasn't until later that I realized how big that was," Grob said. "Making that shot meant a lot to me. It is amazing to win this at home. I am so happy that I got to have a trophy in my hands on my last game on this court. I wouldn't wish for anything else. That was a dream."
It was the second district title in a row for Saugatuck and third in four years.
But this one was different.
It was in comeback fashion, it featured a large senior class - and this one was at home.
Coach Kevin Tringali got to hoist the trophy and pass it off to his players on their home court.
"This is a moment they won't forget for the rest of their lives," Tringali said. "Not to win, but the way we won - and to do it in front of our community. That is the trifecta right there. I am just so proud of my kids."
Saugatuck (23-1) advanced to the Division 3 regional semifinals where they will play Kent City at 5:30 p.m. Monday at Grandville Calvin Christian.
How did Saugatuck continue to come back in the second half?
"Honestly - Mylah," Saugatuck senior Talia Laskowski said. "She was a beast - a true MVP of the night."
Simpson dominated the game with 27 points, including 17 in the first half when she continued to drive to the basket and draw fouls.
"The girls on Calvin were pressuring us and leaving the lane open, so I knew I could get to the basket and kick it out if I needed to," Simpson said. "We learned how to deal with the pressure and that showed. It means everything to do it with these girls."
Her 3-pointer put Saugatuck up 53-52 with 4 minutes to go. Grob followed with her late 3-pointer.
"That really was the turning point," Tringali said of Grob's shot. "She did it right in front of us and I knew it was in right And Mylah was so locked in for a game. Her focus, intensity and resilience was something I have never seen before. They took the 3-ball away from her and she just took it down Main Street."
After another basket, Laskowski went 1-for-2 from the free-throw line but an offensive rebound on the second one by Ada Roth with 1:14 to go sealed it.
"Ada has done that all year. She does whatever the game needs her to do," Tringali said. "Her story (two ACL injuries) continues to be incredible."
Laskowski finished with 15 points, including going 8-for-10 from the line in the fourth.
"It was just a matter of keeping our composure. We knew they would start fouling us and it was a huge relief when those first couple free throws went down," Laskowski said. "It honestly means so much to experience this again."
Saugatuck trailed 7-0 after a couple of early turnovers, but got the nerves out and rallied to lead 17-6 after the first quarter and 29-28 at halftime after Simpson's three-point play with 4 seconds to go.
Calvin Christian's Addyson Rhoades took over in the third quarter with two quick drives to the basket, followed by a 3-pointer to put the Squires up 43-35 late in the third before Laskowski pulled the Trailblazers within 43-41 heading into the fourth.
Freshman Charlee Gustafson had a huge game with eight points and 23 rebounds. Roth had seven points and Grob had six.
"Charlee grew up big time. She had composure and played like an upperclassman," Tringali said. "She was in foul trouble all night but got huge rebounds with the game on the line. That is senior stuff. I am very proud of her."
Saugatuck is the last team standing, fitting considering the Trailblazers defeated Division 1 Zeeland West, and the Dux defeated every other team in the area, splitting with Holland Christian.
But the season is not over yet.
"We still have a lot of work to do," Tringali said.
Leila Nelson had 17 points for the Squires.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Saugatuck girls basketball beats Calvin Christian for district title