Bedford girls basketball reaches state quarterfinals for sixth time
WOODHAVEN – Aubrey Hensley snatched the final rebound, held the ball for a few seconds as she savored the moment, then joyously tossed it to the official before joining the celebration.
It was fitting that Hensley was the last player to touch the basketball during Bedford’s 44-32 victory over Detroit Cass Tech in the championship game of the Division 1 regional hosted by Woodhaven Wednesday night.
Her quiet, meaningful contributions are a big reason why Bedford is headed to the state quarterfinals.
“Of the four (returning starters), she probably gets the least notoriety,” Bedford coach Bill Ryan said of Hensley. “She rebounds the ball and keeps us organized. She’s our heart and soul.”
Hensley would rather be hoisting a regional championship trophy than posting gaudy numbers.
“I never put stats first,” she said. “I love to see my teammates score and I love playing defense.”
Bedford played its usual brand of lockdown defense Wednesday.
The Mules did not give up a point in the second quarter, holding Cass Tech scoreless for a stretch of more than 11 minutes.
Cass Tech wasn’t able to hit double figures for points until the 5:22 mark of the third quarter. Bedford held a 16-point lead at the time.
But regional titles don’t usually come easily.
Cass Tech still had some fight left.
Bedford’s lead was sliced 35-29 midway through the final period.
The Mules then employed a weapon it hasn’t used a lot during a 24-2 season – a delay game.
More: Bedford's girls basketball team rolls into regional championship game
“It hasn’t looked good at times, but we kept working on it for situations like this,” Ryan said.
After Cass Tech hit a 3-pointer to get within six points, Bedford’s guards kept the ball moving near the midcourt line until Nyah Mullins found Anna Gray alone under the basket for a layup.
“That was a big basket,” Ryan said. “She’s a freshman, but she’s not afraid.”
“Anna had a really good matchup and we trust her with the ball,” Hensley added.
Hensley helped Bedford close out the win with free throws down the stretch. She was 5-of-6 from the stripe in the fourth quarter and 7-of-8 in the game.
She doesn’t mind shooting free throws with the game on the line.
“Actually, I like it,” she said. “I know I have the support of my team.”
Ryan loves the toughness of Hensley and her teammates.
“To me, we are battle tested,” the coach said. “We’ve been on the Regional stage the past few years.”
“We are definitely well seasoned,” Hensley agreed.
With that seasoning, comes the ability to maintain composure.
“The game was so physical, rough and tumble,” Ryan said. “Plays that were fouls during our schedule were not called, but the girls just picked themselves up and kept playing.”
Victoria Gray survived a lot of rough contact inside to lead Bedford with 15 points.
It was the sixth regional championship for Bedford. The Mules also won in 2003, 2004, 2009, 2019 and 2021. Ryan has coached the last four title teams.
“I’ve been blessed with a lot of great players and great families,” he said.
Next up for the Mules is a clash with 24-1 West Bloomfield at 7 p.m. Tuesday at University of Detroit Mercy. West Bloomfield ended the regular season ranked No. 1 in the state. Bedford, which has never won a quarterfinal game, was seventh.
“We don’t care about projections,” Ryan said. “Each year if we bow out, we want to bow out against a team that is better than us.”
“We never back down,” Hensley said.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Hensley helps Bedford girls basketball move into quarterfinals
