Mott no match for Kettering in 'Brawl' as Captains soar

Waterford Kettering scored two big wins this past week to remain unbeaten and establish itself as the team to topple in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division.

The Captains closed out the week with a convincing 65-33 win over rival Waterford Mott on Friday, Jan. 14 at Oakland University.

What was billed as “The Backyard Brawl” turned out to be no contest, as the veteran Captains (8-0 overall, 3-0 in the KLAA North) proved to be too much for the young, inexperienced Corsairs (1-6, 1-2).

Kettering led 16-7 after the first quarter and 31-13 at halftime and didn’t look back.

Junior guard Allison Bicknell had 17 points, while Rachel Smith and Erica Schwartz each scored 9 points for the Captains.

“We played a solid game from start to finish,” said Kettering Head Coach Scott Woodhull.

Rachel Northey had 9 points for Mott, followed by Lauren Hung with 7.

Victory didn’t come easy for Kettering on Tuesday, Jan. 11, when Kettering defeated Huron Valley Lakeland in overtime, 32-31 on the road.

The Captains trailed by four with 3 minutes left in the fourth when Smith stole the ball and found Bicknell for two points, and then stole the ball again and tied the game with a layup to force overtime.

With time winding down in the extra session, Smith stole the ball and was fouled on a layup attempt with 5 seconds left. She made 1-of-2 free throws and Lakeland’s last shot from beyond half court fell short.

Bicknell finished with 13 points, while Smith had 4 points and 5 steals.

Stephanie Lock had 6 points and 15 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Waterford Mott scored a 43-41 win at home over Walled Lake Western on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

Mott jumped out to a 7-0 lead before Western came back to take a 14-11 lead at halftime. Mott then led 25-23 after the third quarter and held on to win in the fourth.

Hung had 13 points and 6 steals for Mott. Carly Banchiu had 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals.

Kettering hosted Walled Lake Northern yesterday, Tuesday, Jan. 18 after press time, while Mott played at Walled Lake Central. The Captains will travel to Central on Friday, Jan. 21 while Mott will host Lakeland.