One of the area's projected top girls basketball teams met the undisputed best small-school squad Tuesday night and, for one night anyway, small stood tall.
Toledo Christian (8-0), which has reached three straight Division IV regionals, used a 10-2 run to open the fourth quarter in taking a 44-39 victory at Springfield.
“They got us last year at home, so we wanted to come out and get this win,” TC coach Tim Wensink said. “Our girls were focused, and they gave us everything. “Hat's off Springfield, because they're a really good team and made some big shots. But, we continued to respond, and I'm super proud of our girls.”
The D-I Blue Devils (7-2), who are favored to win the Northern Lakes League title, got a game-high 22 points from standout senior point guard Kendall Carruthers.
But it was not enough, as TC's Eagles were led by their own highly talented Kendall — junior guard Kendall Braden — who scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Springfield, which led 30-29 after three quarters, was hindered by its own ice-cold shooting from the field in final quarter. The Devils were just 3 of 15 from the field, including 1 of 10 on 3-pointers in the fourth against Toledo Christian's seemingly ever-present perimeter defense.
It also helped the Eagles that they had more production beyond Braden. Senior guard Kaylona Butler had 11 points and seven rebounds, and 6-foot junior forward Mackenzie Royal-Davis added seven points and five boards.
The Blue Devils, whose only other loss came against state power Shaker Heights Laurel, got six points from Kalaia Taylor, and five points and 10 rebounds from 5-11 junior forward Gretchen Sigman.
Springfield led 14-13 after one quarter before TC took a 24-21 edge to halftime.
In the third quarter, the Blue Devils turned up the defensive pressure, forcing six of the Eagles' 13 turnovers in the game, using a 9-5 advantage to take a one-point lead to the fourth.
Braden started the final quarter with a 10-footer from the lane, and senior guard Jordan Rosales contributed her only points of the game with a timely 3-pointer for a 34-30 TC lead.
“The biggest difference was probably on our defensive end,” Braden said. “We were able to rebound the ball and push it up the floor, and we made some smart adjustments during the game.
“We played them last year, so we had a good idea of who they were as a team and as a program in general. But, as far as playing big teams, we never look at that. Because, with our work ethic, and how we practice, and play in the offseason, I don't think that matters.”
After Sigman countered with a bucket for Springfield, Braden answered with a 3-pointer, and Royal-Davis hit two free throws for a 39-32 edge with 3:01 remaining. The Blue Devils got no closer than three from there.
“Hat's off to Toledo Christian,” Springfield coach Clifton Hodges said. “They played really good defense against us. They made it tough for us to get a shot, and we didn't shoot the ball well.
“You've got to make shots to win a basketball game. You can play as hard as you want, but you still have to put the basketball in the hole. Their guards stayed in front of us and it was hard for us to get around them.”
Braden's two free throws with 9.7 seconds left basically clinched the win for the Eagles.
“We just made them work on offense,” Wenisnk said. “They did hit some shots, but they were deep shots. Offensively, we did just enough, and we moved the ball around.”
Toledo Christian was 16 of 35 (46 percent) from the field, including 4 of 11 on 3-pointers, and was 8 of 11 at the foul line. The Eagles won the rebounding battle 30-26.
Springfield was 14 of 50 (28 percent) from the field, including 6 of 26 on 3-pointers, and was 5 of 7 at the line. The Devils committed nine turnovers.
“Kendall [Carruthers] is pretty solid when she steps out there, and she's got to get a little more help from her teammates,” Hodges said. “We've got to get some other players to step up and start putting the ball in the basket.
“Once we get that going, I think we'll be a lot better in the future.”
First Published December 21, 2022, 4:02 a.m.
