The Defense
Never Rests

Canton forces 26 turnovers to claim second straight District title, 57-29

BY ED WRIGHT
March 5, 2010, 10:15 p.m.

  Pittsburgh's championship NFL football teams were led by their "Steel Curtain" defense.

  Canton's girls basketball team is led by its "steal" curtain defense, a relentless wall of defenders who turn soft passes at one end of the court into and-one lay-ups at the other end.

   The Chiefs' defensive wall was stiffer than ever during Friday night's Class A District championship game against Northville, forcing  26 turnovers in a 57-29 romp.

  The victory vaulted the 21-1 Chiefs into Tuesday's Regional semifinal contest against the winner of Friday night's Lakeland-Hartland District final.

  Tuesday's game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School.

  The Mustangs were done in early by the Schmitt twins -- Kari and Sara -- during the game's first four minutes when the sisters tallied all of the Chiefs' points in a 13-4 surge.

  "We all work hard, which is what defense is all about," said Kari Schmitt, who finished with 14 points, six rebounds and three steals. "By working hard, our defense creates a lot of our offense.

  "We come into every game with the same mindset that we're going to have to play our best to win, and that's how we played tonight."

  Two nights after surviving a 39-37 classic with Novi, Canton coach Brian Samulski said he wasn't taking anything for granted prior to Friday's championship game.

  "We had a battle here Wednesday night against Novi, so you never know how your team is going to respond after a game like that," he said. "You don't know how your legs are going to feel. The girls came out focused, though, and did a great job.

  "We wanted to come out and get after it right away and the girls did that."

  Sara Schmitt led all scorers with 15 points. She hit five of seven field goals and five of six free throws.

  Junior forward Kayla Bridges took advantage of a rare start by scoring 13 points to go along with a game-high eight rebounds, four on the offensive end. Bridges also had a big night at the charity stripe, sinking seven of nine attempts.

  Senior guard Lindsay Winters had her pin-point jumper working as she registered seven points off the bench, including a long first-quarter trey.

  Northville's lone player in double figures was Katie Giacomini, who tallied 12 points.

  The Mustangs knew they were in for a long night after the first quarter, when they had more turnovers (eight) than points (six).

  After bursting to a 20-6 lead after the first eight minutes, Canton kept the pressure on and extended its cushion to 34-13 at the half and 48-17 after three quarters.

  The Chiefs held the Mustangs to just one basket in the second and third quarters.

  Canton's biggest lead of the night came with 6:33 to play when Bridges' three-point play made it 51-18.

  Giacomini and Tori Wright both drained late threes.

  Canton hit 16 of 45 field goals (35.8 percent) and 24 of 34 free throws (70.5). The Mustangs struggled from the floor (8 of 34) and the stripe (10 of 19).

  Canton was the battle for the boards, 27-23.

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