Brandywine falls in state championship

 

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- The second ranked Brandywine girls' basketball team’s dream season comes to an end. The Lady Cats fell to the number one ranked Ypsilanti Arbor Prep 33-to-30 in the Division 3 State Championship game today.

ABC57’s Allison Hayes was the only local TV reporter in East Lansing and talked with Brandywine head coach Josh Hood about his team’s state runner-up finish.

The Lady Cats got off to a good start by taking an early lead, but the top ranked Gators forced 18 total Brandywine turnovers and capitalized on second chance opportunities and led 19-15 at halftime.

Brandywine was down ten in the fourth quarter but came back and Senior Miley Young made a three with only a few seconds remaining, but Arbor Prep held the ball on the inbound play and ran the clock out. No call and time expired and Ypsilanti won 33-30.

The Gators boast twin sisters Stephanie and Stacy Utomi, who will be playing D1 college basketball at Mercer next season, scored nine and seven points respectively. Stacy added ten rebounds in the win.

Adelyn Drotoz led Brandywine with nine points.

Kadence Brummitt added seven points & nine rebounds.

An emotional end to an incredible season for Brandywine.

The Lady Cats were welcomed back to the high school tonight by hundreds of fans showing their support with a police escort leading the way.

Brandywine is planning a community celebration for the girls' state runner-up team, boys' basketball state champion team and the wrestling Division 3 champs.