Hartland's Depth Overwhelms Lakeland

When Hartland and Lakeland played each other less than two weeks ago, Hartland let Lakeland back into the game after grabbing a big first-half lead. 

But Bailee Maggert and company wouldn’t let that happen this time around. 

Hartland grabbed a commanding lead late in the first half and was never seriously threatened again as the host Eagles eliminated Lakeland from the state tournament with a 38-24 victory Wednesday in district semifinal action. Hartland now plays Howell 7 p.m. Friday at in the district final.

“We have a couple of our players (senior Hailey Pleshakov and freshman Lindsey Pajot) back from injury and that made a big difference,” said Hartland head coach Don Palmer. “You can’t coach athleticism and a girl like Pleshakov just oozes athleticism. That allows us to be deeper more balanced.”

Lakeland did bring the game within eight points midway through the fourth quarter after a second Jessica Haren. But Hartland answered with two field goals in a matter of seconds, both plays set up by the quickness of Maggert who created open opportunities for teammates. Hartland then put the game away at the free-throw line.

Maggert finished with 13 points and four assists in the victory for Hartland (19-3), which defeated Lakeland in a close battle less than two weeks ago in White Lake. Lakeland senior Stephanie Lock finished with 12 points and eight rebounds in her career finale. Hartland’s Kayli Porta and Lakeland’s Haren added eight points apiece. 

“Stephanie can’t win the game all by herself offensively,” Lakeland head coach Mike Head said. “I was proud of our girls because they played really hard but we just couldn’t hit shots. In a game like this against a team this talented you need all your players to step up.” 

It was a bit of a sloppy start to the game with six combined turnovers in the first three minutes alone. But a low-scoring game was expected. Jaymie Dyer’s three-pointer late in the first quarter gave Hartland its first lead at 9-6, one it would never relinquish. 

Hartland then scored two quick baskets in the first 43 seconds of the second quarter, using its full-court press to get a turnover and then two offensive rebounds to keep the possession alive for Pleshakov’s jumper. 

“I think it was easier for us to play them this time because we knew a lot more about them,” said Pleshakov, who didn’t play against Lakeland less than two weeks ago because of an injury. “We knew who their outside shooters were and what we had to do defensively."

Hartland extended its lead in the second quarter, allowing just two Lakeland points. Maggert hit four free throws in the final two minutes and Dyer converted on a runner in the lane with two seconds left to give the host Eagles a 21-8 halftime lead. 

“They are great athletes, but they are also well coached – rebounding is instilled in them,” Head said. 

Maggert started the second half with a 3-pointer and Lock continued to get frustrated as Hartland often ran a box-in-one, and double or tripled-team her every time the senior forward had the ball. Lock took an errant elbow midway through the third quarter and had to sit out over a minute with a bloody nose. 

As happened at times throughout the regular season, Lakeland was unable to get a second or third scorer going to complement Lock. But even Lock herself struggled to get open looks as Hartland played a box-and-one defense on the senior, a strategy change from the first meeting earlier this season. 

“That’s the first time I ever faced a box-in-one so it was hard to adjust to,” Lock said. “It was tough to run our offense and they play such an aggressive defensive (on the perimeter). It was a great season though and I had a lot of fun with all my teammates. In many ways it was a relaxing season.” 

Hartland's next game sets up a third match-up against Howell, a team it has already defeated in two close games this season. 

“I know (Howell head coach Tricia) Clark and we have beat them now five times in the last two years,” Palmer said. “But all they have to do is beat us once. And they have good talent and height.”