Thoughts heading into Monday’s girls regional semifinal between Inland Lakes, St. Ignace
HARBOR SPRINGS – The 2023-24 Cheboygan area high school basketball season isn’t over just yet.
Still kicking are the Inland Lakes girls, fresh off winning a second consecutive MHSAA Division 4 district title and ready to take on St. Ignace in a 7 p.m. regional semifinal at Harbor Light on Monday.
The Bulldogs reached this point by topping rival Onaway on the road last week. But now comes the really difficult part for coach Daryl Vizina’s Bulldogs, who face the longtime powerhouse Saints, a squad that just rolled past Mackinaw City in their district final.
With a trip to the regional final on the line, here’s what I’m watching for in Monday’s clash.
SEMIFINAL SURVIVAL: Onaway, Inland Lakes girls survive scares, will meet in district final on Friday
ST. IGNACE BOYS: Statement win: St. Ignace boys top defending Division 4 champion Munising in regional final
Can the I-L defense come up big again?
It’s been defense, defense, defense ever since the season started for Inland Lakes, which has already captured Ski Valley Conference and district crowns under Vizina. The Bulldogs have guards and frontcourt players who can lock you down and swat your shots away, but Monday will be a massive challenge going up against the Saints, who can hurt you in so many different ways.
The Bulldogs have shown before that they’re capable of slowing just about anyone down, but the Saints have weapons with Jillian Frasier, Tayah Shepard, Cadence Cullen and Addison Cullen. Countering the Saints are scrappy I-L guards Chloe Robinson, Brooklyn LaBrecque and Molly Monthei, while senior center Taylor Jones has proven to be a defensive force in the paint.
They Bulldogs have shut down several quality opponents this season. Can they do it once more?
Under pressure
Going up against St. Ignace isn’t easy, especially when you know coach Dorene Ingalls' teams are well known for their relentless defensive pressure. For the Bulldogs, it’ll be about withstanding that pressure and playing a mostly clean game, but that’s easier said than done.
While the Bulldogs were victorious over Onaway, they struggled to take care of the ball at certain moments. The only difference was the Cardinals didn't take advantage. St. Ignace will likely feast on mistakes if the Bulldogs commit them, so breaking that vaunted press will be pivotal. If the Bulldogs have success, they’ve got a shot here. If not, it might be a long night.
GREENLEAF COLUMN: Onaway-St. Ignace regional clash proves why high school basketball up north is so beautiful
BOYS REGIONAL CLASSIC: Jonny Ingalls, St. Ignace outlast Jadin Mix, Onaway in regional semifinal thriller
Vizina vs. Ingalls
Many of us know about Ingalls, a coaching legend who’s captured multiple state championships in her decorated career. She’s one of the masters at winning big games and an all-time great.
But Vizina has helped elevate an Inland Lakes program that struggled for several years before he took charge. Last season, Vizina’s Bulldogs hammered Johannesburg-Lewiston in the regional semifinals before narrowly losing to Mackinaw City in a classic final.
It’ll be fun to watch how both coaches adjust throughout this matchup. With what both teams present, this has the makings of an exciting clash at Harbor Light.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Taking a look at Monday's regional girls basketball clash between Inland Lakes, St. Ignace
