Going with a different lineup for its first round Class C District Tournament matchup against visiting Benton Harbor Dream Academy, the Brandywine girls basketball defeated the Toros 67-29 victory Monday night.

With this contest being the final home game, Brandywine coach Josh Hood used the game as another “Senior Night.”

Seniors Rachael Szilagyi and Libby Moody got the start and both had great games. Szilagyo had a near double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds, while Moody drained seven 3-pointers and finished with a team-high 25 points.

Alyssa Bolen, another senior, had an excellent all-around game with eight points, four rebounds and nine assists.

Fellow seniors, and normal starters, Emily Erwin, Jaleesa Garner, Makenna Hartline and Michaela Hartline did not play in the game to get the bench some deserved experience.

“We knew what this game would be like coming in so we changed some things up,” Hood said. “Rachael and Elizabeth didn’t get to start on senior night, so they had their opportunity tonight and we needed to get our bench some play time to increase depth.”

Using 11 Toros turnovers and an opening 15-0 run in the first quarter, Brandywine jumped out to 23-4 lead.

Moody draining four 3-pointers along the way.

Increasing the defensive pressure in the second quarter, the Toros had nine more turnovers and the Bobcats increased the lead to 45-12 at halftime.

With four minutes left in third quarter, junior Chelsie Luczkowski scored her seventh and eighth points, putting Brandywine ahead by 40 and forcing a running clock.

Even with the very successful regular season that the Bobcats had, Hood was quick to point out that anything can happen.

“Everyone gets to start from the beginning when tournament play begins,” Hood said.  “Teams we play from here on out are going to be undefeated and are wanting the same thing we are.”

Brandywine’s next opponent will be New Buffalo, who defeated Eau Claire in its opening round game. The Bobcats and host Bison are slated to tip-off at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

 

BENTON HARBOR DREAM ACADEMY 29, BRANDYWINE 67

At Brandywine

DREAM ACADEMY 29

Nickkeyla Washington 15, Taizairh Williams 11, Kanaya Joseph 3, Lexus Colvin 0, Jada Rice 0, Miracle Gaines 0, Avion Hodge 0. TOTALS: 9 8-13 29

BRANDYWINE 67

Libby Moody 25, Makena Bowen 10, Chelsie Luczkowski 10, Rachael Szilagyi 9, Alyssa Bolen 8, Mia Stella 5, Alexis Garcia 0, Cassandra Luczkowski 0. TOTALS 27 0-4 67.

 

Dream Academy      4         12       18       29

Brandywine              23       45       57       67

3-Point baskets: Dream Academy 2 (Joseph 1, Williams 1), Brandywine 12 (Moody 7, Bolen 2, Szilagyi 1, Bowen 1, Stella 1). Rebounds: Dream Academy 34 (Washington 17, Joseph 5, Rice 4, Williams 4, Colvin 3, Hodge 1), Brandywine 39 (Szilagyi 10, Chelsie Luczkowski 7, Stella 5, Bowen 4, Bolen 4, Moody 4, Cassandra Luczkowski 4, Garcia 1). Assists: Dream Academy 3 (Williams 1, Joseph 1, Washington 1), Brandywine 19 (Bolen 9, Stella 3, Szilagyi 2, Moody 2, Cassandra Luczkowski 2, Bowen 1). Turnovers: Dream Academy 26, Brandywine 10. Total fouls (fouled out): Dream Academy 7 (none), Brandywine 12 (none). Varsity records: Brandywine 19-2.