Lady Hornets Win Over Milan, Advance in District

Saline’s varsity girls’ basketball team opened district action Monday with a 43-28 win over Milan at

Britten Clark scored 14 points and Melissa Needham scored a season-high 10-points to pace the Hornets, who take on Ypsilanti-Lincoln at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Milan took an early 7-2 lead on the Hornets, who came storming back and held the Big Reds off the scoreboard in the second quarter.

“We were flat to start. But we kept getting better as the game went on,” said Clark.

Coach Jeff Waltz said he thought his team might have been a little nervous about starting the playoffs in front of friends and family at home.

Monday’s win was a nice way to cap off a day that began with bad news. In the morning, the team learned that Katie Crysler suffered a broken hand while battling for a loose ball in practice Sunday.

Clark said it was disappointing to lose Crysler, a senior who was pumped about playing in districts.

“She’s usually the one who keeps us fighting and keeps our head in the game,” Clark said.

On the other hand, Crysler’s injury comes just as senior Jill Borowski returns to the lineup. She had two points in Monday’s game.

“I’m really happy to have Jill back. Losing her early in the season was a big loss,” said Clark. “We are definitely looking to her down low because she’s so strong.”

Borowski played in her third game of the season Monday after suffering a foot injury just prior to the season. Borowski said she feel’s healthy and ready to contribute.

That’s a long way from where she was in December.

“When I hurt my foot the doctor said I was done for the season and that I’d probably never play basketball again unless it was recreational,” Borowski said. “But I got in my head that was going to prove him wrong. I had a little glimmer of hope and I ran with it. I am so glad that I did because it felt great to be back out there again.”

Clark, Borowski and the Hornets now prepare for Wednesday’s game against the Railsplitters.

Saline defeated Lincoln the first time the two teams played.

But as Clark noted, the Hornets are well aware that they were playing a team that was missing some of its best players.

“We know. We’re going to need to come out stronger than we did tonight,” Clark said.

The winner of Wednesday’s game faces either Bedford or Ypsilanti at 7 p.m. Friday in the district championship.