The Chiefs pose with their KLAA Association championship trophy. (photo by John Kemski)

19-and-1-derful

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  Canton was led by junior forwards Kayla Bridges and Kari Schmitt, who both scored 12 points. Sara Schmitt added seven while Robyn Mack and Alyssa Cottrell both chipped in with four.

  Three Highlanders tied for team scoring honors with just seven points: Emily Lorkowski, Gunning and Megan Hatter.

  The Chiefs led 14-7 after one quarter before pushing their advantage to 24-10 with just under three minutes left in the half when Bridges converted an inside move five seconds before Cottrell pulled off a steal-and-layup sequence.

  Howell closed the gap to 26-15 at the half.

  Canton didn't commit its first turnover until the 5:11 mark of the second quarter.

  The Chiefs maintained a double-digit edge throughout the third quarter, which ended with Canton ahead, 36-26.

  After falling behind 40-28 on a Pickert driving layup with 4:50 left, Howell (13-7) mounted a late surge, tallying five straight points on a Hatter triple and a fastbreak layup from Gunning to cut the Chiefs' lead to 40-33.

  Not long after Gunning's basket, Samulski called a quick timeout.

 "Basically he told us to lock down on their perimeter shooting, not let them get any easy looks and to switch on all screens on the perimeter," Pickert said, reflecting on Samulski's message during the time out.

  The Chiefs obliged, yielding just one basket over the final four minutes.

  They sealed the KLAA title with 1:23 remaining when Kari Schmitt stepped in front of a Highlander pass, dribbled the length of the court and banked in a layup while getting fouled. She drained the ensuing free throw to put her team up, 43-33.

  Canton out-rebounded Howell, 23-17, thanks in large part to Kari Schmitt (eight rebounds) and Bridges (five).

  The Chiefs were solid at the free throw line, canning 15 of 20 attempts (75 percent). Howell swished three of its five attempts from the charity stripe.

  The Highlanders turned the ball over 16 times. Canton committed just seven miscues.

  "We just have to keep getting better every day and stay focused," said Samulski. "We can't be satisfied with what we've already done."

  Ed Wright can be reached at (734) 453-1980 or info@plymouthcantonsports.com.