Lady Hornets Fall in Season Opener

The Lady Hornets couldn’t recover from a rough start, as host fell to Canton 54-37 Tuesday night.

Saline struggled to defend Canton’s 6’1 junior Kiara Schneider, who finished the game with 17 points and five rebounds.

The Hornets limped out of the gate, falling behind 15-2 in the first quarter, managing two points on free throws from Amanda Price (seven points).

Saline came out in the second quarter with a staunch defense and strong outside shooting, and climbed back into game. Saline was down 21-15 after a three-pointer by senior Alison Rentschler (seven points). But that’s as close as they got.

“When it was 21-16 and (the gym) was buzzing a little bit. I think we surprised some people. As a team, you could tell we experienced the first game jitters. We started slow and couldn’t hit a layup. But overall, I was happy with our effort,” said new head coach Jeff Waltz. “(Canton) is a heck of a team. You don’t go to the Breslin Center two straight years and not be good. I think there are enough positives that we can take out of this game and move forward.”

Down 15-2 to start the second quarter, Rentschler opened scoring with a basket. Schneider replied for Canton. Senior Kelsey Pelletier (six points) sank a three pointer.  Canton got a bucket from Shannon Perry. The Hornets took over the next five minutes of the game, keeping their opponents from getting easy looks. Senior Britten Clark (five points) sank a couple free throws. Then Pelletier sank her second trey of the quarter to make it 19-12. After a basket by Schneider, senior Ali Cope made a free throw to edge closer. Rentschler’s three pointer made it 21-16 with 3:30 to play in the half. Saline’s continued to play a patient, disciplined defense, but late in the half, Schneider made the first of two free throws. Canton rebounded the second won and then Schneider made a layup while being fouled, and then sank the free throw, to give Canton a 25-16 lead.

The Chiefs deprived the Hornets of the quick start they needed in the third quarter. Instead, Canton poured in the first five points of the quarter.

Clark sandwiched a jump shot and a layup around a basket by Canton’s Rachel Winters. Price and Katie Crysler (four points) had baskets for Saline, and Reyst added a good free throw as Canton built a 44-23 lead after three quarters.

Chrysler led the Hornets with four points in the fourth quarter. Price added three points. Rentschler and Reyst each made a bucket and Cope and Clark added free throw baskets.

“I’m really happy with our effort but obviously not happy with the result. I felt we could have competed a little better and kept it a little closer in the second half,” Waltz said.

Saline hosts Novi Thursday night.

“The schedule doesn’t get easier, and it won’t all year long. But there are enough things that we saw. We’re going to build on those and improve on the things we were deficient at,” Waltz said.