Hartland gets off 'struggle bus,' beats Holly in boys basketball districts on late 3-pointer
LINDEN — In March, one shot can alter the entire perception of a basketball team’s season.
It was, to say the least, a difficult regular season to endure for a Hartland team one year removed from winning KLAA and district championships. The Eagles limped into the playoffs with a seven-game losing streak and a 6-16 record.
But when Michael Pennala’s 3-pointer touched nothing but net and Hartland got a defensive stop in the final seconds of a 45-43 victory over Holly Wednesday night, the Eagles were moving on to the district championship game for the third straight season.
Just like last year’s team, which went 16-4 in the regular season. Just like the team two years ago that went 10-3 in a shortened season.
And, voila, with the magic of a state tournament victory, the Eagles were feeling much better about themselves and their ability to persevere through tough times.
“It felt great getting that win,” senior Jack Gregory said. “We were hitting the struggle bus a little bit, but getting that win, everybody joining together, a good team win, we’re ready for Friday. We’re ready to bring it.”
Hartland will face Fenton (17-6) for a Division 1 district championship at 6 p.m. Friday at Linden. Fenton beat Howell, 56-49, in the other semifinal.
Pennala is one of the few Eagles who experienced last season’s success, making it even more difficult to accept all the losing this winter.
When he had a chance to create a positive memory for this season, he didn’t miss.
Pennala took a cross-court pass from freshman guard Parker Sundman, stepped left to shake oncoming defender Ashton DeHart, and drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 14 seconds left in the game.
“We had a double screen set for Parker, because he had the ball most of the game,” said Pennala, who had 15 points. “I knew coming off that screen they were gonna double him. I got the ball, (DeHart) came out aggressive, gave him the pump fake, the ball went in.
“It felt good. I didn’t have much going for me in the second half. I got face-guarded.”
Pennala didn’t play much on last year’s senior-dominated squad, but he absorbed some valuable lessons being part of a winning atmosphere.
“The seniors last year showed us what leadership was,” he said. “That really came through tonight, what they brought to this team and it carried through the program.”
Pennala’s game-winner was made possible by a heads-up defensive play by Gregory and junior Brady Quinn.
Hartland had just committed three quick fouls and needed one more to send Holly to the line when the Bronchos inbounded the ball with 30.6 seconds remaining, leading 43-42.
Bowen Moore inbounded the ball to Andrew Lewis, who was immediately swarmed near the sideline by Gregory and Quinn. Rather than commit Hartland’s seventh team foul, Gregory was able to tie up the ball with 27.1 seconds on the clock. The possession arrow was in the Eagles’ favor.
“I see (Lewis) coming in there,” Gregory said. “Brady Quinn came in there, was on him. I was told to double team him, because they were getting the ball to him, so I just got in there and tried to get at the ball. That was an awesome feeling. It gave us a chance to get the game-winner that Pennala hit.”
Holly had two shots hit the rim in the final seconds, a 3-pointer by Ka’Vio Smith and a tipped rebound by Tony Simmons at the buzzer.
“It means a lot, just for the guys,” Hartland coach Kevin Blouin said. “The KLAA this year is just such a gauntlet. It’s really, really tough. Every night, you’re playing somebody that’s playing in college. Our guys have stuck with it. They believed. They knew we could win this game and win this district, so they still believe, just like they’ve believed all year.”
Hartland was in a position to win at the end because Sundman didn’t look like a freshman playing in his first postseason game.
Sundman hit four 3-pointers in the third quarter, including three in a row, to give Hartland a 26-16 lead.
“Feeling great,” Sundman said. “Just got hot in the third.”
Sundman, who finished with 14 points, did more than just launch 3-point bombs. He was the Eagles’ primary ballhandler, bringing the ball up the court against pressure to set up the winning basket.
“Parker has a lot of ability and he’s very mature and calm on the floor for his age,” Blouin said. “Those were some pretty big moments at the end of the game there, because he had the ball. He made the assist for that winning 3. I trust him with the ball. He’s young in age, but when he’s on the floor, he has a lot of maturity.”
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillKhan.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Hartland gets off 'struggle bus,' beats Holly in districts on late 3
