A hot start to the game on Monday night was just what the girls varsity basketball team needed in the opening round of the postseason. In a 58-37 win over Northview, the girls played great defense throughout and finally started clicking on all cylinders on offense. 

After a great start to the season and a rough stretch in conference play, all bets were off as playoffs got underway on Monday night across Michigan. For FHC, it was an opportunity to prove its rollercoaster season was a fluke.

The girls got on a roll quickly, scoring the first six points of the game while Northview couldn’t find an answer. Junior Maya Holser stepped up big in the first quarter, scoring 4 points. This scoring barrage from Maya ultimately led to a Northview timeout just before the end of the first. Senior Theryn Hallock converted a couple of baskets via the fast break to end the quarter, and the Rangers were up 16-4 at the end of the first.

The second quarter was eerily similar to the first; however, Theryn finally caught fire. She seemed unstoppable in the quarter, getting through defenders for tough finishes at the rim and draining a couple of three-balls. Although the Rangers kept the scoreboard operator busy in the second quarter, Northview did score a few points. Nevertheless, the Rangers were still up 29-12 at halftime.

At the start of the third, FHC made its money in the paint to get up 31-15 with five minutes left in the third. However, Northview would make a little comeback, scoring seven points in just under two minutes of game time. After the 7-0 run by the Wildcats, though, freshman Jordan Koning drained a three and took the Rangers into the quarter break with a 40-22 lead. 

The Rangers got off to a hot start in the fourth, going on a 7-0 run in the first two minutes of the quarter. As always, Theryn was on fire, getting plenty of steals and scoring almost every point for the Rangers in the fourth. The game was just as good as over, but the cherry on top was an “and-one” from Theryn with a minute left to seal the deal. The Rangers won convincingly 58-37 and will move on to the district semifinals.

The Lady Rangers will now face a very good Rockford team on Wednesday, March 2, at Lowell High School. The teams will face off at 5:30 p.m. for a spot in the district finals on Friday.