By Greg Gielczyk
LocalSportsJournal.com  

KENT CITY — Now that she’s no longer playing in her older sister’s shadow, junior point guard Lexie Bowers has emerged as the recognized leader of the Kent City girls basketball team.  

Shining in the spotlight newly directed at her, Bowers not only has shown great court awareness in directing the Eagles’ offense, but is averaging 17.3 points a game.  

With her older sister, Kenzie, now playing at Illinois State, it’s Lexie’s turn to take the reins in leading the undefeated Eagles (24-0 and ranked second in the state) into Tuesday night’s 7 p.m. MHSAA Division 3 quarterfinal against Schoolcraft at Otsego.  

Bowers and Kent City are no strangers to the big stage, or the spotlight.  

Kent City advanced to the state championship game last year, finishing runnerup and bringing home a trophy.  

Schoolcraft will be a great test for Kent City. The Eagles have rattled off 23 consecutive wins after losing their season opener, including a 49-31 win over Buchanan in the regional final.  

The Eagles used a suffocating man-to-man defense to slow down Buchanan’s offense, pressing the whole game.  

Hanna Thompson has only been playing basketball for two years, and is going to play Division 1 soccer, but she can play defense which is why she’s in the Schoolcraft lineup.  

Caley Kerwin and Allie Walther are key players on defense as well.  

Schoolcraft 6-footer Mackenzie Miller dominated inside and scored 18 points. Thompson added 12 and Allison Bailey had eight.