Armada girls basketball topples Yale to win first district title since 1982
ST. CLAIR — While the Armada and Yale girls basketball teams split their season series, it was the latter that captured the BWAC championship.
On Friday, the conference runner-up got its revenge.
The Tigers roared past Yale, 49-29, in a Division 2 district final at St. Clair High School.
Ashlyn Upton and Claire Sniesak each scored 11 points for Armada, which improved to 16-3 overall and advanced to Monday's regional semifinal against Goodrich (24-0). It's also the program's first district crown since 1982.
"I'm so proud of this group," Armada coach Joe McDevitt said. "I saw 32 minutes of everything that every single kid on the floor had. And everything that the bench could bring. Whether it was cheering, being a good teammate, defending, boxing out or playing hard. That's the hardest we've played (this year)."
The Bulldogs, who were led by Sadie Dykstra's 15 points, finished the season at 17-6.
"(Armada) dictated the pace and that led to some early transition points," Yale coach Jason Leonard said. "We struggled to score early, missed some free throws, and when we got some good looks, we just couldn't (make those shots)."
The game was scoreless until Dykstra sank a free throw two minutes into the first quarter. Then Armada responded with an 11-0 run to grab a sizeable lead. Sniesak scored six of her points during that stretch.
"We were just excited to get another chance (to face Yale)," Sniesak said. "We didn't play our best when we went to their place. So, wanted to come out with energy. To play the way we played was important today."
Yale's first field goal wasn't until the 1:58 mark of the first quarter when Alyssa Barr (10 points) scored on a layup. Dykstra added a floater a minute later, and the Tigers only led 11-5 after one period.
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However, the shift in momentum was brief. Armada had found its footing and turned the game into a track meet. By halftime, the Tigers held a 26-11 advantage.
"One thing leads to another and we never back down," Upton said. "Whenever we get on a run, we just keep going and never look back."
While the Bulldogs hung around in the second half, they didn't draw any closer than 11.
"(This season) meant a lot," Leonard said. "The girls, every day, were working hard and getting better. It showed as the season went on."
Added Leonard: "We're young. We only have one senior and, obviously, she's an important one in Grace Kecskes. But we'll come back (next year) with pretty much everybody else. We've just got to keep getting better, keep working hard, learn from this and move on."
As for Armada, it's moving on to regionals for the time in 42 years.
"It feels awesome," Upton said. "All the work we've put in, to make history, it's amazing."
For McDevitt, it was the second district championship of his coaching career, having led the boys team to a title in 2007.
"This one is special," McDevitt said. "To take some time off (from coaching), grow as a person, become a father and see it through a different lens, it's emotional."
Tipoff for Monday's regional semifinal against Goodrich is 5:30 p.m. at Goodrich High School.
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Armada girls basketball topples Yale to win Division 2 district title
