‘Moore’ in the clutch: Faith Baptist senior’s game-winner tops Troy Bethany in MACS state finals
STATE OF SHOCK: Troy Bethany Christian senior forward Sarah Davis stands in disbelief moments after Davison Faith Baptist's Kara Moore naield the game-winning lay-up with three seconds left in the Michigan Association of Christain Schools state title game. to view a photo gallery for purchase, visit www.lmckeephotography.com
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
CLARKSTON — Kara Moore had some important phone calls to make this weekend. They were to some college recruiters.
Moore, a senior combo guard from Davison Faith Baptist, had quite a few stories to share.
One night after hitting the game-clinching free throws in a state semifinals upset of top-ranked Rochester Hills Christian, Moore was back at it again on Saturday.
Moore drove the left baseline and her driving layup with three seconds left was enough to lift Davison Faith Baptist to a 30-28 victory over Troy Bethany Christian in the Michigan Association of Christian Schools Division I state finals at Clarkston Springfield Christian.
“I have some calls to make,” smiled Moore about some college recruiters waiting in the wings. “I’m going to have to call them this weekend.”
SOARING EAGLES: Davison Faith Baptist's Kara Moore celebrates her game-winning shot as senior teammate Krysti St. Amand rushes in after Saturday's state championships game. Staff Photo | Larry McKee. to view a photo gallery of this event, visit www.lmckeephotography.com
The win ended fourth-ranked Bethany Christian’s five-year reign as MACS state champs.
“When we got the ball back, I knew we had a chance,” said Moore. “It was designed, unless I didn’t have a shot, then I was to dish it off. When I drove down (the lane), I found a little space. It was to either shoot it or pass it over, but the shot was there.
“This feels amazing,” added Moore. “It blows my mind, hitting the game-winning shot in the state finals.”
Davison Faith Baptist coach Craig Miller drew up the option and let instincts take over.
“It was either a drive and dish to Krysti (St. Amand) if she was open or she could take it herself. She took it herself and she laid it in,” said coach Craig Miller, who team finished a dismal 3-16 last season. “She has carried us all year. Not necessarily with the last second shot, but she’s led us all year in many ways.
“Kristie didn’t play last year because she had a blown-out knee and Kara was new to our school this year,” said Miller. “Having those two in our lineup made a huge difference. They both provided a lot of senior leadership.”
With the score tied at 28-28 in the defensive struggle, Troy Bethany had a chance to go after the late shot, but sophomore guard Lianna Sprankle stepped on the sidelines while driving down the court, turning the ball back over to the Eagles.
For Faith Baptist, there was no suspense who the ball was going to go in the waning seconds, as Moore, an all-state transfer from Saginaw Community Baptist, came through in the clutch.
“This was my last chance at a title,” added Moore. “Last season I was at a different school, but we didn’t make it this far. We lost to Bethany in the semis, so I got a little revenge.”
Veteran Bethany Christian coach Tom Hagspihl knew that Moore was going to get the ball but conceded that “great players make plays.”
“We knew she would get it. They set that double-screen for (Moore) and we were pushing that to the corner all day. She was able to curl it inside get off a good shot,” explained Hagspihl. “Sometimes it goes in and sometimes it doesn’t. It was their night.
“They beat us by six at our place earlier in the season and Kara was the difference then, too,” continued Hagspihl. “She’s a rebounder, she’s a steady influence, she’s a key to their game.”
Bethany Christian, which lost its top post player to transfer back in September (5-foot-11 senior center Shea Hilliard) and had graduated several key players the past two years, upset No. 2 seeded Carson City Fellowship Baptist on Friday night on a three-pointer with three seconds left by freshman Sarah Bishop. The Bruins built an early 10-6 lead after making five of its first 10 field goal attempts but cooled after that, as sophomore Jody Walraven picked up her second foul late in the first quarter.
Davison Faith (16-3) fought back and eventually tied the game at 14-14 at the half.
The Eagles, who captured their first crown since 2004, led 22-21 after three quarters of play, setting up an intense fourth-quarter.
Bethany Christian used a 6-0 run, capped by a pair of free throws by Bishop with 3:06 to play, to go up 28-27. Faith Baptist tied the game two possessions later, when St. Amand split a pair of free throws, setting up Moore’s heroics.
Moore bowed out of her high-school career with 10 points, nine in the second half, with 16 rebounds, seven steals and four assists. St. Amand added eight points and seven boards, junior Shelby Smith had six points and five rebounds and junior Clair Eggert chipped in with nine rebounds for the Eagles.
Sprankle had nine points, seven rebounds and three assists. Bishop had five points and nine rebounds. Walraven added six points and 11 rebounds for Bethany Christian, which held a 46-40 edge on the boards to offset 20 turnovers.
Bethany Christian started three sophomores and a freshman in the contest and youth and foul trouble, plus a cold shooting night by his the Bruins young backcourt hurt them in the end.
“We set up a play. We kind of pushed it too fast and didn’t allow the play to develop and she got stuck on the sideline. That’s youth, kind of a young player’s mistake,” said Hagspihl. “We had to get that ball in the middle to try to work for a shot. Last year, we had the experience players that would have been able to make the plays. We are very young and we make mistakes. But we don’t lose a lot, so hopefully next year we can make it back with a more experienced team.”
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Category: Clarkston Springfield Christian, High School, Lake Orion Baptist, Lake Orion Shalom Baptist, Prep Wraps, Troy Bethany Christian, Troy Christian Leadership Acadamy
