By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com

SHELBY–The wait is over for the Hart girls’ basketball team.

The Pirates captured their first regional title since 1992 with a 37-34 victory over the Kent City Eagles, which finished as state runners-up the past two seasons in Division 3.

With the win, Hart (23-3) advances to Tuesday’s 7 p.m. quarterfinal game against top-ranked Buchanan (23-1). That game will be played at Bangor High School. On Thursday, Buchanan, led by Ohio State commit Faith Carson, defeated Kalamazoo Christian, 70-47. 

Thursday night’s regional championship game was all about team defense and a little fourth-quarter offensive spurt by Hart.

“Effort and heart,” Hart coach Travis Rosema said. “The girls were tired of losing in the regionals and they really pushed through tonight. I don’t know what their scouting plans were, but I was really happy that they were fouling Aspen (Boutell). She has knocked down free throws at key times in the past for us and she came through again for us tonight.

“The game plan was to run them off the 3-point line and they only got one tonight whereas last time they got seven or eight against us, so we did a really good on defense,” said Rosema.

The Pirates scored 19 points during the first three quarters, but erupted for 18 points during the fourth quarter. That rally was sparked by senior guard Aspen Boutell, who led the comeback with eight points in the final quarter. She scored two baskets and made four free throws.

Hart senior guard Aspen Boutell had a team-high 14 points.  (Photo/Joe Washington)

“We really came out with some great intensity in the fourth quarter,” said Boutell. “I don’t know why, but I am really confident shooting free throws under pressure. It’s nerve wracking, but those were really clutch. Our student body and our community really came out today and that was huge along with our bench play tonight. First regional championship since 1992, that is super great.”

After trailing for most of the game, Hart went ahead for good with 1:56 remaining as Addi Hovey scored in the paint and gave the Pirates a 33-31 lead. Boutell hit two free throws and Hart was up 35-31, With 40 seconds remaining, Kent City senior Lexie Bowers canned her only 3-point shot of the evening to narrow the gap to 35-34.

Boutell hit two free throws to push Hart’s lead to 37-34. Kent City had one last opportunity, but a game-tying shot by Bowers was off the mark. Hart outscored Kent City 18-11 in the fourth quarter to complete the comeback win. Bowers scored all 11 points for the Eagles in the last quarter.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first half due to the defensive effort. Getting shots was difficult as Kent City held a 7-6 lead after one quarter.

The Eagles found some offense in the second stanza with a 12-6 scoring advantage. Kent City led 19-12 at the half.

The third period was much like the first quarter, although this time Hart was able to cut into the Kent City lead with a 7-4 scoring edge. Hart trailed 23-19 heading into the fourth quarter then mounted its comeback and gained the victory.

“We had a lot of great shots, but they (Hart) really closed out on us hard and it was really hard to hit our 3-point shots,” said Kent City coach Aleah Holcomb. “They are a really good defensive team.

“We had a super successful season and we have really good talented girls,” Holcomb said. “It hurts not being able not to get back to the Breslin Center, but you can’t expect that every year.”

Boutell led Hart with 14 points while junior Abby Hicks scored 10 points. Sophomore Addi Hovey contributed seven points.

Kent City senior guard Lexie Bowers finished her high school career with a game-high 22 points (Photo/Joe Washington)

Senior Lexie Bowers led all scorers with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Junior Maddie Geers scored 1o and grabbed 7 rebounds. The only other Kent City to score was sophomore Hailey Kamphuis with two points.

“It was tough out there tonight we all had a tough time making shots,” said Bowers, who has signed with Northwood University in Midland. “They (Hart) had some really good defenders and our defense kind of slacked at the end.

“It was great even though losing in regionals (stinks),” said Bowers. “Hart played great and they have some talent over there and I would never want to take anything away from them. Even though we lost, I am really happy about my career and the way our team came together this year.”

Photos courtesy of LSJ photographer Joe Washington