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Last season, the Woodhaven and Anderson girls’ basketball teams met in district play and the Titans suffered a tough loss.
Since then Coach Larry Sakalas and his team have been using the Warriors as a measuring stick and were looking for revenge when the two met on Tuesday night.
But the Warriors had other plans.
Both teams went into the contest undefeated in the Downriver League, but a dominating Warrior start led Woodhaven to a 65-46 victory.
“Our girls were absolutely ready to play, obviously,” Woodhaven Coach Doug Simons said. “They showed it in the first quarter.
“We got the tone in the locker room, too. There was like a quiet confidence about them tonight. They knew Southgate’s undefeated in the league; we’re undefeated in the league. It was a big game for us and we came out with such energy.”
Energy seemed to be an understatement for the Warriors who took a 25-11 lead after the first quarter.
The team saw seven players contribute points in the first quarter alone, including five three-pointers from five different girls.
The Warriors knocked down four more triples in the second quarter and the Titans found themselves down 47-23 at the half.
“It’s gonna be tough to win a basketball game being down 24 at the half,” Anderson assistant Coach Bob Lothian said. “They play a fast tempo game.
“As much as we tried to keep up with them, they definitely dictated the pace of the game, and that was the difference.”
The Titans did take control in the second half and outscored the Warriors 23-18, but were unable to complete a comeback.
“When we slowed it down in the second half, you could see the talented Southgate start to come out,” Simons said. “We didn’t mean to slow it down.
“They kind of got used to our pressure and they handled it better. They got into a little bit of a rhythm (and) they were chipping away at us.”
Woodhaven ended the game with 11 three-pointers from eight different players.
Cassie Breen led the Warriors with 21 points and three rebounds. Brianna Brennan had nine points and seven rebounds, and Whitley Currie finished with six points and nine rebounds.
Simons was pleased with his team’s effort.
“Cassie Breen played so hard,” he said. “It was just that will. It wasn’t even the points, it was just the defensive end. She wanted it that bad.”
Despite only scoring six points, Simons would have named Currie MVP of the night.
“When you take a five underneath the basketball and tell her to go guard the best point guard in the league and she does it … that was huge for us,” Simons said.
The two teams will meet again near the end of the season as well as in Districts and the Titans are hoping for a different outcome.
“We’ll have another opportunity to play them in the league next month (and) we’re definitely looking forward to that,” Lothian said. “We have to match the intensity that we had in the second half.”
Simons knows the next time the teams meet will be an equally exciting game.
Both teams are pushing themselves, and also each other.
Over the holiday break, both teams went to the Roundball Classic Tournament, knowing that in order to get better, they have to face better teams.
“I feel like we’re pushing each other to get better,” Simons said. “It’s one of those where yes, it’s a rivalry, yes, we have to play them in districts and all that, but at the same time they just bring out the best in us.
“I know it’s the same way in reverse. We bring out the best in them. And they showed that last year. I expect it to truly be a battle.”
The Titans travel to Lincoln Park on Friday while the Warriors travel to Trenton.
GIRLS' BASKETBALL: Warriors remain dominant in win over Titans (PHOTO AND VIDEO)
Since then Coach Larry Sakalas and his team have been using the Warriors as a measuring stick and were looking for revenge when the two met on Tuesday night.
But the Warriors had other plans.
Both teams went into the contest undefeated in the Downriver League, but a dominating Warrior start led Woodhaven to a 65-46 victory.
“Our girls were absolutely ready to play, obviously,” Woodhaven Coach Doug Simons said. “They showed it in the first quarter.
“We got the tone in the locker room, too. There was like a quiet confidence about them tonight. They knew Southgate’s undefeated in the league; we’re undefeated in the league. It was a big game for us and we came out with such energy.”
Energy seemed to be an understatement for the Warriors who took a 25-11 lead after the first quarter.
The team saw seven players contribute points in the first quarter alone, including five three-pointers from five different girls.
The Warriors knocked down four more triples in the second quarter and the Titans found themselves down 47-23 at the half.
“It’s gonna be tough to win a basketball game being down 24 at the half,” Anderson assistant Coach Bob Lothian said. “They play a fast tempo game.
“As much as we tried to keep up with them, they definitely dictated the pace of the game, and that was the difference.”
The Titans did take control in the second half and outscored the Warriors 23-18, but were unable to complete a comeback.
“When we slowed it down in the second half, you could see the talented Southgate start to come out,” Simons said. “We didn’t mean to slow it down.
“They kind of got used to our pressure and they handled it better. They got into a little bit of a rhythm (and) they were chipping away at us.”
Woodhaven ended the game with 11 three-pointers from eight different players.
Cassie Breen led the Warriors with 21 points and three rebounds. Brianna Brennan had nine points and seven rebounds, and Whitley Currie finished with six points and nine rebounds.
Simons was pleased with his team’s effort.
“Cassie Breen played so hard,” he said. “It was just that will. It wasn’t even the points, it was just the defensive end. She wanted it that bad.”
Despite only scoring six points, Simons would have named Currie MVP of the night.
“When you take a five underneath the basketball and tell her to go guard the best point guard in the league and she does it … that was huge for us,” Simons said.
The two teams will meet again near the end of the season as well as in Districts and the Titans are hoping for a different outcome.
“We’ll have another opportunity to play them in the league next month (and) we’re definitely looking forward to that,” Lothian said. “We have to match the intensity that we had in the second half.”
Simons knows the next time the teams meet will be an equally exciting game.
Both teams are pushing themselves, and also each other.
Over the holiday break, both teams went to the Roundball Classic Tournament, knowing that in order to get better, they have to face better teams.
“I feel like we’re pushing each other to get better,” Simons said. “It’s one of those where yes, it’s a rivalry, yes, we have to play them in districts and all that, but at the same time they just bring out the best in us.
“I know it’s the same way in reverse. We bring out the best in them. And they showed that last year. I expect it to truly be a battle.”
The Titans travel to Lincoln Park on Friday while the Warriors travel to Trenton.
Last Updated: 1/11/2013 2:44:03 PM EST