By David Fleet
dfleet@mihomepaper.com
Pinckney — With just :06 seconds remaining in a tied game, GHS Soph. Baylor Lauinger dropped in a go-ahead layup as the Martians defeated the Haslett Vikings 58-56 at the MHSAA Regional Finals. The win represents the third straight regional title for Goodrich, who advances to play Tecumseh at Northville High School on Tuesday, March 18 in the state quarterfinals.
Lady Martian Junior Kayla Hairston finished with 23 points and six boards, Soph. Baylor Lauinger 14 points, six assists and six steals, Sr. Ella Place 14 points and two assists and tanner Schramm five points, six rebounds and for steals.
Haslett battled back from a 13-point first-quarter deficit cutting the Goodrich lead to 32-23 at halftime. Haslett took the lead late in the fourth quarter when Viking #21 Kaitlyn Johnson sank a two point field goal tying the game at 56 when Lauinger hit the game winner.
Goodrich improves to 23-3 while Haslett ends the 2024-25 season at 22-4.
The win over the Vikings followed a pair of lopsided victories in the MHSAA state title race.
The Lady Martians advanced to the Regional in the D2 Semifinals on March 10 and stopped the Eaton Rapids Greyhounds 47-22. Lady Martian Kayla Hairston and Tanner Schramm each tossed in 12 points en route to the win at Pinckney High School.
Baylor Lauinger had six points, six steals and six boards in the win. The Martians held the Greyhounds to just 13 points in the first half and only nine points in the second half for the win. Baylor Lauinger had six points, six steals and six boards for the win.
On March 7 the Goodrich Lady Martians defeated Powers Catholic 68-52. Goodrich raced to an 18-point halftime lead and would cruise to victory in the second half against Powers to win their third straight district title, 68-52. Sophomore Baylor Lauinger led the Lady Martians with 18 points while juniors Kayla Hairston and Tanner Schramm added 15 and 13 points respectively.
“The win over Powers was a great team effort with multiple players making important contributions throughout the game,” said Head Coach Jason Gray. “Powers Catholic has constructed a strong roster and we needed to play well in multiple facets in order to win. Our girls were locked in on their responsibilities and we won in the fashion we have been winning in all year – a team win.”
Ella Place had nine points and was six for six at the free throw line. Lucy Rafferty tossed in five points with nine rebounds and Kaylee Eickhoff had three offensive boards.