By David Fleet
947-244-2647
dfleet@mihomepaper.com
Bloomfield — On March 19 a perfect season for the Goodrich Girls Varsity basketball team concluded. The Detroit Edison Pioneers (21-3) defeated the Lady Martians (26-1) in the Division 2 State Quarterfinals 50-33 at West Bloomfield High School.
GHS Sr. #11 Lexi Kosmowski had 14 points and three rebounds, GHS Jr. #2 Lucy Rafferty six points, three rebounds and GHS Soph. # 12 Kayla Hairston four rebounds and three assists.
“We were getting good shots early,” said Head Coach Jason Gray following the game. “Edison’s defense got much more comfortable then we struggled to put the ball in the basket from early in the second quarter and on. We got a little more tentative, unsure of what was going to be available. Edison had a few steals and that slowed us down, that’s a credit to them and took us out of our game.”
The Lady Martians were a remarkable 26-1 this season, the second most wins in school history.
“The season was a lot of fun,” said Gray. “The team really bought into the style that we play. We came out to play hard every game with the pressure defense and most of the time (that defense) was full court.”
“It was a fun team to coach and fun to watch,” he said. “That was really nice. The girls were a tight-knit group who really liked to play together and shared the ball very well. The girls were excited for each other and the success we had.”
The Lady Martians will graduate two seniors Alexis Kosmowski and Laila Kyle-Niemenski, both real good leaders in their own way, added Gray.
“They brought maturity to a young team and the understanding of what it takes to be good,” he said. “We are going to miss them and what they taught the younger players is going to pay forward.”
After 25 seasons Gray said he’ll return for the 2024-25 season.
“I’ll definitely be back, especially with the group we have returning,” said Gray, who started coaching at Goodrich in 1999. “I’m happy where I’m at and watching the players we’ve had at Goodrich playing at the college level is just amazing. I’m where I should be here in Goodrich.”
Gray ended the season at 499 wins.
“When this season started last fall a few of the parents mentioned reaching the 500 win mark sometime this season,” said Gray. “I really did not give it any thought since we had a very tough schedule. All of sudden 500 wins became a real thing. I knew we would be good, but did not think we’d go through the season undefeated given the competition.”
“The key to our success here at Goodrich is really simple, great players,” he said. “Here at Goodrich I’ve been blessed, but we all worked very hard to get there. The amazing coaching staff gets players started young and having fun playing basketball. Parents too are committed to making good basketball players on travel teams and in the off season. That’s truly the key.”