Winning a regional title is nothing new for the Brandywine girls basketball program.

But being a regional champion this year was extra special for the Bobcats.

Thursday’s 55-42 win over Grandville Calvin Christian in a Class C regional final came on Brandywine’s home court and it also erased the disappointment from losing last year to New Buffalo in a district final.

“When we lost last year it took a week for these girls to get back in the gym,” said Brandywine coach Josh Hood, who has led the Bobcats to five regional titles in the last six years. “You could tell there was a different mentality this offseason. It was a shock and a reality that we weren’t invincible.  We bounced back in probably the biggest game in this gymnasium in front of a packed house. I’m just the coach on the bench. The girls at Brandywine always persevere.”

Second-ranked Brandywine takes a 23-1 record into next Tuesday’s state quarterfinal game against No. 2 Lainsburg (25-0). The game is at Comstock Park in Grand Rapids at 7 p.m.

Against the Squires, Makenna Hartline scored 25 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had three steals. Michaela Hartline added 11 points, including three 3-pointers, and pulled down six rebounds. Brooke Smith totaled 11 points, three rebounds and three blocked shots.

“With all that crowd it felt pretty good to get that support,” Makenna Hartline said. “This means a lot. “This is a great group of girls. We’ve been working hard the whole year and deserve it.”

The Bobcats, which never trailed, took control of the game midway through the third quarter. Leading 31-27, Brandwine went on an 11-0 run to take a 42-29 lead with :25 left in the third. Makenna Hartline and Emily Erwin each scored four points and Michaela Hartline added three during that key stretch.

“I think the biggest thing is the energy,” Hood said about the run. “We had games during the season when we came out in the second half and weren’t sharp. We always talk about that there’s going to be a time when you have to turn the jets on in the second half. You could tell our legs were getting fresh in the second half and the other team was getting down a little bit. The girls dug down deep and I’m pretty proud of them.”

Calvin Christian never got closer than 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Brandywine’s pressure defense forced 27 turnovers and held the Squires to 35-percent shooting (17-of-48).

Free-throw shooting also helped the Bobcats prevail. Brandywine went 16-of-24 from the foul line, while Calvin Christian was only 5-of-16.

Brandywine also made seven 3-pointers, while Calvin Christian finished with only three.

“With their trapping defense we knew we were going to get a lot of wide open threes,” Hood said. “I told the girls that we just had to shoot them.”

Emily VanVliet scored 19 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Squires, who finish at 19-5.

“This isn’t just about the Brandywine girls, but about the Brandywine community,” Hood said.  “There’s a lot of pride here and it’s nice to be a Bobcat. The biggest key for us was confidence and feeding off of the building’s energy.”

Brandywine also seemed to feed off of Hood’s energy, who picked up a technical with 2:37 left in the first quarter. The Bobcats went on a 7-3 run after the technical and took a 14-9 second quarter lead.

There is one concern for Brandywine going into the state quarterfinals and that’s the health status of Smith, who suffered a leg injury with 4:09 left in the first quarter.  She did come back into the game after the injury.

“Brooke’s injury is a little scary,” Hood said. “We’ve got to give Brooke some time to rest that thing. I’m not sure of the severity of it right now. I’m sure she was out there on adrenaline tonight. Hopefully, she can suit up and be ready to go on Tuesday night.”

 

BRANDYWINE 55, CALVIN CHRISTIAN 42

Calvin Christian 42

Morgan Buursma 4, Emily VanVliet 19, Kendra Kunst 2, Morgan Howerzyl 2, Hillary Curry 9, Jessalyn Katje 0, Rachel Hofman 3, Maddie Curry 3, Ella Kerkstra 0. TOTALS: 17 5-16 42

Brandywine 55

Makenna Hartline 25, Michaela Hartline 11, Brooke Smith 11, Emily Erwin 4, Jaleesa Garner 4, Makena Bowen 0, Alyssa Bolen 0, Mia Stella 0, Rachael Szilagyi 0, Cassie Luczkowski 0. TOTALS: 16 16-24 55

 

Calvin Christian         9          16       30       42

Brandywine               9          20       42       55

3-point baskets: Calvin Christian 3 (H. Curry 2, M. Curry), Brandywine 7 (Michaela Hartline 3, Makenna Hartline 2, Smith, Erwin). Total fouls (fouled out): Calvin Christian 22 (VanVliet, Howerzyl), Brandywine 18 (none). Technical: Brandywine (bench). Shooting: Calvin Christian 17-of-48 for 35-percent, Brandywine 16-of-36 for 44-percent. Rebounding: Calvin Christian 28 (VanVliet 11), Brandywine 26 (Makenna Hartlin 10). Turnovers: Calvin Christian 27, Brandywine 28. Varsity records: Calvin Christian 19-5, Brandywine 23-1