Trailing 24-20 against Mendon Unity Thursday night at Washington Street Gym, the Macomb High girls basketball team knew what coach Justin Elbe was about to say.
“I told (the players) at halftime that that was in so many words horrible,” said Elbe. “But they knew it.”
“It wasn’t to our standards and expectations,” he added. “We gave them way too many easy layups. We didn’t get the pressure where we needed to.”
The Bombers found their bearings in the second half, flying away with a 57-49 non-conference victory.
Macomb improved to 16-9 on the season, while Unity slipped to 12-14.
Sitting at 7-8 entering the new year, the Bombers posted a 9-1 record in January.
It was the second meeting between the two teams in the past 11 days. The two teams met Jan. 19 in the Jerry Logan Shootout at Carthage with the Bombers winning 48-46 in overtime.
“I feel like when we played them 10 days ago that we were a little messy,” said MHS freshman guard Reese Watson.
Watson and senior guard Sophie Wilson combined to sink four 3-pointers and score 14 points in the opening half for the Bombers.
“They played a zone and so with any zone you’re looking to shoot outside,” said Wilson.
The Macomb offense rolled up 19 points in the third period, receiving scoring from six different players.
“That’s what we’re capable of doing,” said Elbe of the offensive performance in the third quarter. “And when our offense is better, our defense is better. It’s kind of like a seesaw.”
Trailing 31-30, the Bombers closed the period with a 9-2 run that started with Dakota Thorman’s traditional three-point play.
A basket by Wilson and two free throws by Aubrey Holthaus followed.
Unity’s Saylor Barry scored before Bomber Brooklyn Lyles ended the quarter with a bankshot at the buzzer that gave the Bombers a 39-33 lead heading into the final eight minutes.
A trey by Wilson gave MHS a 45-40 lead. But Unity did not go away as a basket by Barry capped a 6-0 run, giving the Mustangs a 46-45 lead.
But a trey by Wilson and a layup by Holthaus gave the Bombers the lead for good.
Macomb then closed out the game by making 7-of-8 from the free throw line.
“I’ll take that every day,” said Elbe.
Watson topped the Bombers with 16 points, while Wilson added 15. Both players sank four 3-pointers.
“Once (Watson) gets going, it gives me a little more confidence,” said Wilson. “And when we both are going, it’s dangerous out there.”
“Our bigs did a really good job of when they got it inside to kick it outside for the three,” said Elbe. “As soon as they got double- teamed in the post, they would kick it out.”
“That’s good basketball anytime you can do that,” he added.
“I’m trying to work on building my confidence and finding my place as a freshman,” said Watson. “It’s sometimes scary to shoot it instead of just taking the shot.”
“She’s going to be scary in four years,” Wilson said of Watson. “She’s a threat now, but I’m so excited to watch her in four years.”
“She’s the consummate teammate,” Elbe said of Watson. “She doesn’t want to be selfish, but when you make two threes in a row, you have to keep looking for your shot.”
“She’s starting to learn that now,” he added. “Now the team expects her to shoot those.”
Holthaus added nine points, all in the second half, followed by Hines with eight and Thorman with seven.
Lyles rounded out the scoring with her third quarter basket.
Thursday’s contest was the last one scheduled to be played at Washington Street Gym this season.
The team’s Feb. 11 contest against Illini West will be played as part of a varsity girls/boys doubleheader at MHS.
“It’s so surreal,” said Wilson, “I’m just proud to have played here. It’s really an honor. I’ve been trying to take it in, take every moment in. It’s all bittersweet.”
Barry topped Unity with 22 points. Jillian Shaffer and Duke added 11 points each for the Mustangs.
