EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Rockford girls basketball team made 12 of their first 14 shots and led by as many as 22 points in the first half on its way to a 65-42 win over Detroit Renaissance in a division one state semifinals game.
"I think we just came out super strong offensively and defensively," Alyssa Wypych, who scored 13 points, said. "The amount of passion and explosion tht we had really just set us off to a great start."
The Phoenix would cut the Rams lead to just 5 points in third quarter before Rockford pulled away to advance.
Grace Lyons scored a game-high 23 points after she poured in 21 in last season's state semifinal game at the Breslin Center.
"I just think in big games we know the girls that have to step up," Lyons said. "I don't know, my teammates find me open shots and I just drain them."
Last season the Rams lost to West Bloomfield in the state semifinals in what was their first ever trip to the state semifinals.
On Saturday, Rockford will play in the state championship game for the first time in program history.
"To be here again and now get to play for a state championship is just unbelievable and I am just so proud of the town and the community," sixth year Rockford head coach Brad Wilson said. "The support, you saw the sea of orange out there today, and holy cow, it is just breathtaking to see that and I am humbled by it and so proud of our girls."
The Rams opponent will once again be West Bloomfield which beat won the state championship last season, tip is scheduled for 12:15 p.m..
"We promise tomorrow we are going to give it all we have and try to bring home a championship," Wilson added.
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