Kettering trips up Avondale in season opener
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
AUBURN HILLS — A year ago Auburn Hills Avondale opened the season with a loss to Waterford Kettering before going on a 17-game win streak after that point. Perhaps the Yellowjackets season-opening defeat to the Captains again this season could be a good omen — for both teams.
Kettering, also a top-20 team in Class A last season, finished the regular season 19-1 before being upset in the district opener to Troy.
Kettering got the best of Avondale again on Tuesday with a 57-45 triumph over the Yellowjackets. Both teams figure to be among the best in Oakland County this season.
“Kettering is a really good team. We knew that going in because it’s virtually the same team they had last season,” offered Avondale coach Dave Muczynski. “I think what hurt us was foul trouble. Hannah Little, our best player, was in foul trouble the whole game. We graduated a few players and we’re not as deep, at least as deep as Kettering. They are legitimately very deep down (to the end of their roster). They bring a lot off the bench.”
Kettering grabbed the early lead and kept Avondale at bay the rest of the way.
Thanks to an 18-14 second quarter, Kettering extended a 10-6 lead into a 28-20 advantage at the half. The Captains (1-0) moved the lead to 41-29 entering the fourth quarter.
Both teams traded off 16 points in the fourth quarter, as Avondale, Class A regional finalists last season, failed to make a threat in the final stanza.
Allison Bicknell scored 14, as eight Captains reached the scoring column. Arjanai Washington added 13 points, Hannah Stinson scored eight and Shelby Watts canned seven points for Kettering.
Quennece Garrison scored a game-high 19 points to pace Avondale, while Hannah Little was plagued by foul trouble and was held to only eight points.
“We’ll be all right. We knew this would be a tough game. We have a (brutally-tough) schedule this season,” said Muczynski. “I think this game wil help. Kettering is one of the top teams in the county this season, so this wlil help prepare us.”
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Category: Auburn Hills Avondale, Featured Articles, High School, High School (M-Z), Prep Wraps
