Defensive intensity has been the calling card for Brandywine High School girls basketball.

The Lady Cats — coming off five Class C Sweet Sixteen appearances in the past six seasons and most of last season’s regulars — opened the 2015-16 season Tuesday, Dec. 1, by turning up the defensive heat on Kalamazoo Loy Norrix.

Brandywine forced the tall and athletic Lady Knights into 43 turnovers and made 24 steals — led by senior Jaleesa Garner with six and senior Makenna Hartline with five — on the way to a 46-31 victory.

“We’ve thrive off defensive pressure,” seventh-year Cats head coach Josh Hood said. “When we have off nights like we did tonight shooting the ball, we can turn the ball over and get some easy offense.

“For seven years, our pride is our defense. I was happy with our effort on defense.”

Twins Makenna and Michaela Hartline paced Brandywine with 15 and 13 points, respectively.

Michaela Hartline netted seven points in helping the Cats build a 24-14 halftime lead. Makenna Hartline bunched nine of her points in the second half as Brandywine’s lead swell to as many as 25 points as 43-18.

Pacing Loy Norrix in its opener with six points each was junior Ashantai Hale-Sandifer and freshman Shante’ya Scott.

Led by 5-foot-10 Hale-Sandifer with six rebounds, the Lady Knights enjoyed a 42-31 on the glass.

Hood said he looked forward to spending some time with the game film.

“With eight of nine back from last year, we’ve got to do the little things, like boxing out and rotating,” Hood said. “We also committed too many fouls.”

Hood also saw room for improvement in shooting, rebounding, free throw shooting and ball handling.

“But that’s a typical opener,” Hood said. “I’m glad we’re 1-0 but we’ve really got to get hungry for getting better.”

 

NILES BRANDYWINE 46, KALAMAZOO LOY NORRIX 31

At Brandywine

LOY NORRIX 31

JeNessa Boggan 0, Haven Johnston 2, Ashantai Hale-Sandifer 6, Makayla Dyre 4, Grace Labadie 5, Shante’ya Scott 6, Tajane Acree 0, Destiny Mabon 4, Kiesha Harris 4, Lauren Cole 0, Agnes Osei 0. TOTALS: 13 5-14 31.

BRANDYWINE 46

Emily Erwin 3, Makenna Bowen 1, Michaela Hartline 13, Jaleesa Garner 4, Makenna Hartline 15, Mia Stella 3, Rachael Szilagyi 0, Alyssa Bolen 6, Chelsie Luczkowski 1, Cassie Luczkowski 0, Alexis Garcia 0. TOTALS: 16 9-21 46.

 

Loy Norrix                  4        14       18       31

Brandywine               15       24       39       46

3-point baskets: Loy Norrix 0, Brandywine 5 (Bolen 2, Stella, Mic. Hartline, Erwin). Total fouls (fouled out): Loy Norrix 20 (none), Brandywine 16 (Szilagyi). Varsity records: Brandywine 1-0, Loy Norrix 0-1. JV: Loy Norrix 34, Brandywine 27. Leading scorers: Loy Norrix — Dennasia Dixon 10, Falon Williams 9. Brandywine — Madison Bailey 9, Melanie Martinez 5