Phoenix Rise In OT

Chiefs battle No. 1-ranked
Renaissance to the wire

BY ED WRIGHT
Dec. 10, 2009, 10:15 p.m.

  There were no free-and-easy dribble-drives down the lane Thursday night in Canton's Phase III gymnasium.

  It took a Herculean effort to secure every rebound, and with the passion that accompanied the pursuit of every loose ball,  you would have thought there was a $100 bill taped to each one.

  As expected, nothing came easy during tough-and-rugged Canton's early-season showdown against No. 1-ranked Detroit Renaissance, whose front line resembled a forest of Redwoods.

  The Phoenix finally rose from the ashes in overtime, 38-36, but last year's Class A semifinalists knew they had been in a battle.

  The loss dropped the Chiefs' record to 2-1 while the Phoenix improved to 3-0.

  Renaissance's smooth and athletic lefty Asia Boyd spearheaded her team's offense with a game-high 15 points.

  Canton's offense was energized by junior Kari Schmitt, who poured in 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting.

  Neither team led by more than four points in a toe-to-toe second half and overtime when every trip down the court was laced with importance.

  "I thought the girls played outstanding," said Canton coach Brian Samulski. "They did everything we asked them to do. This team gets after it and comes to play in every game, which is why we're going to be in every game we play.

  "Renaissance has one of the best program's in the area. We want to play teams like that to see how good we are."

  The Chiefs were very good in the first half when they constructed a 21-18 lead thanks in large part to a strong effort off the bench from junior Kayla Bridges, who heated up quickly, hitting her first 15-foot jumper, before finishing the half with seven points.

  CarolAnn Sexauer also found her shooting stroke in the second quarter, draining a long triple and mid-range jumper to help stake the Chiefs to a 21-18 halftime edge.

  The Phoenix amped up their defensive effort in the third quarter, limiting the Chiefs to 2-of-9 shooting from the field, and taking a 28-26 lead into the fourth.

  The Chiefs trailed 34-30 when Kari Schmitt converted an inside shot while getting fouled.

  Ninety-two seconds later, Schmitt grabbed a slick pass from Bridges and laid it in to knot the game at 34-all.

  With the game tied with 4.9 ticks left, a Canton inbounds play at mid-court resulted in a turnover.  A last-second shot by Boyd was blocked by Bridges, forcing the extra session.

  Boyd and Sexauer traded baskets  during the first two minutes of OT.

  The Phoenix Lorreall Jones broke the tie with 12 seconds left on a driving layup.

  A Sexauer eight-footer from the baseline bounced off the rim as the buzzer sounded.

  Sexauer turned in a solid night for Canton, scoring seven points and grabbing a team-high six rebounds. Bridges added six points and four boards while Sara Schmitt tacked on four points and five caroms.

  Robyn Mack played a strong floor game for the Chiefs, registering four assists, five rebounds and two points.

  Alexis Harris twined 10 for the Phoenix. Jones led all rebounders with 10.

  Neither team shot particularly well, due in large part to the superior defense both teams employ. Renaissance hit 16 of 46 field goals while Canton was successful on 12 of 42 shots from the field.

  Renaissance turned the ball over 13 times; Canton had 11 miscues.