The Pressbox

Bedford and Monroe will have a girls basketball rematch at 7 p.m. Friday in the finals of the Class A District at Ypsilanti Lincoln.

It should be a great game.

I saw the first meeting between the two teams and it was a little disappointing. The teams were coming off Christmas break and neither was sharp. Monroe coach Gretchen Elliott said it was one of her team’s worst games of the season.

That should not be a problem this time.

Both teams are playing well.

Monroe has won 12 of its last 13 games and carries a 17-4 record into the game. Bedford is 20-2 and owns a 15-game winning streak.

Monroe has two outstanding post players in Ariel Hatcher and Chae Small and guards Hanna Firchau and Staci Stadler create a lot of havoc with their quickness and hustle. The Trojans bench has really improved since that first meeting with Bedford.

Bedford is all about balance. The Mules don’t have a player averaging in double figures and no one jumps out at you athletically, but all 12 girls on the roster can play the game. Coach Bill Ryan doesn’t have to worry about using any of them in any situation.

The key to this game could be how well Monroe shoots outside against Bedford’s aggressive zone defense.

Monroe and Bedford meet Thursday in perhaps the biggest girls basketball game of the regular season in Monroe County.

It’s a shame the game has to be played on the day both schools return from Christmas break. I wonder what kind of crowd it will draw. It was fun to watch Monroe and SMCC play in front of a nearly full house earlier this season. I doubt that many will be in Bedford’s gym Thursday night.

Both teams come in with 5-2 records. They have won common opponent: SMCC. Monroe beat the Kestrels 90-74 in the season opener, then 84-71 a week later.

By the way, the boys teams from the two schools play the next night at Monroe.

I was in Ida Friday night to watch Tim Leonard win his 300 game as Ida’s girls basketball coach.

Leonard might be one of the least appreciated great coaches in the Monroe County Region. You don’t hear much about him, but year after year he produces quality teams.

His 300-69 career record is staggering. He’s never won fewer than 12 games in a season.

In typical, understated Leonard fashion, the celebration of his 300th win was subdued. A short announcement was made after the game and his players hung a banner commemorating this milestone and celebrated with a giant cookie. Senior Kayla Spotts summed it up, saying “I’m honored to be on his team.”

SMCC got its boys basketball season started with a 50-40 victory over Bedford tonight.

I was surprised that SMCC coach Ray Lauwers was so disappointed with the performance of his squad, considering that the Falcons graduated 11 seniors from last year’s 15-7 team. But Lauwers feels his guys are capable of playing much better.

I am sure that they will play much better. There were some bright spots against Bedford. Seniors Todd Walters and Kurt Lehmann led the way as expected with 16 points each, Josh Arnold should be solid inside and sophomore Keenan Wetzel stands nearly 6-4 but is able to play guard. He hit a big 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.

Bedford also had some nice moments. Ricky Rightnowar should be one of the top shooters in the Region, Austin Mack and Matt Drew battled hard inside, Joe Martin had a steady game at the point and Michael Wolcott showed athleticism off the bench.