Lutheran North blasts Lamphere in district basketball opener

By Kevin Lozon

Lutheran North’s Maddie DiLella attempts a shot over Lamphere’s Keneisha Thomas during a Division 2 district semifinal game at Lutheran North on February 28, 2022. (KEVIN LOZON for MediaNews Group)

Playing in the tough Catholic League paid dividends for the Lutheran North girls basketball team on Monday night.

The Mustangs, who play Marian, Divine Child and Mercy, arguably some of the top teams in the state in their league, were able to take what they learned in those tough games and use it against Madison Heights Lamphere.

Lutheran North’s pressure defense, size and athleticism caused havoc for the Rams from the opening tap, racing to a 73-21 district quarterfinal win at Lutheran North.

“We have played that type of defense all season long,” LHN coach Andrea Avery-Tiedt said. “We have played in a very tough conference, and I think playing in those harder conference games prepared for where we are today. It allowed us to practice our defense against very tough competition and build throughout the season.”

The Mustangs never trailed, jumping out to an 18-4 lead after one quarter behind 11 points by Maddie DiLella. LHN’s pressure defense continued to cause havoc for the Rams in the second quarter, leading to a 17-8 spurt, extending its lead to 35-15 at halftime.

“We were told something different, and (Lutheran North) came out in something different,” Lamphere coach Mike Kobus said. “I’m not going to let the game ruin our season. We finished 14-7 and we’re really happy with where we are at.”

LHN put the game away in the third quarter, bolting to a 24-6 run, including 10 points by DiLella, and six from Lindsey LaBara, pushing its edge to 59-21 heading into the final period.

“I told them tonight that we could have gotten down on ourselves all season long, taking some beatings from some of the top teams in the state,” Avery-Tieda said. “Not once did I have to worry about their morale. They just kept coming to practice, working hard and they earned this win tonight.”

DiLella led the Mustangs with 21 points.

Lamphere’s Lainey Abbott attempts to dribble past Lutheran North’s Anne May during a Division 2 district quarterfinal game at Lutheran North on Feb. 28, 2022 (KEVIN LOZON for MediaNews Group)

“Maddie has been a work horse all season long,” Avery-Tieda said. “She has really matured this season, developing into a good point guard/guard. We rely on her a lot, but she looks to her team to support her. She isn’t one who wants to take the ball and do it all on her own. She’s a team player.”

Hannah Miller added 14 points for LHN, while Ava Herbst chipped in with 11 points.

“Hannah and Maddie up top are the leaders on our team right now,” Avery-Tieda said. “Hannah’s a very well-rounded player. Offensively, she can score, and she can drive to the basket. Defensively, she will get in your face and slow you down.”

The win improved the Mustangs’ record to 7-12 overall and moved them into Wednesday night’s semifinal game against Clawson at Cranbrook. Avery-Tieda said the team will prepare for that game just like they have for every other game this season.

“We’ll do some film review to prepare just like we have all season long,” Avery-Tieda said. “We’ll come out and play our game the way we like to play. We don’t have to worry about what Marian, Mercy or Divine Child are going to do and we must figure out what to do to stop them. Now we can play our style and play the way we have the last four months.”

Lamphere, which finished the season at 14-7 overall, was led by Kate Robinson with seven points, while Lainey Abbott added six points.

“I have four freshmen on this team and two of them start,” Kobus said. “I just want them to look at the scoreboard and realize what just happened. Let’s go to work in the summertime.”