Rockford girls basketball runs right over Detroit Renaissance in Division 1 semifinal

EAST LANSING — You couldn't draw up a better start for Rockford girls basketball in Friday afternoon’s Division 1 semifinal.

The Rams set the pace for their 65-42 blowout win against Detroit Renaissance by getting inside buckets on 9 of their first 11 trips up the floor while forcing five Renaissance turnovers. By that point — five-and-a-half minutes into the game — Rockford was shooting 82 percent, led by 11, and Renaissance had burned two timeouts.

That’s when Rockford started attempting 3-pointers, and they were hitting those at a similar rate. Alyssa Wypych, Kayla MacLaren and Grace Lyons (two) all drained 3s, and six minutes later, the Rams hiked their lead to 33-11.

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Rockford guard Anna Wypych looks to pass against Detroit Renaissance guard Christian Sanders during the first half of Rockford's 65-42 win in the Division 1 girls basketball semifinal at Breslin Center on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Rockford guard Anna Wypych looks to pass against Detroit Renaissance guard Christian Sanders during the first half of Rockford's 65-42 win in the Division 1 girls basketball semifinal at Breslin Center on Friday, March 17, 2023.

“We just came out spirited and we came out ready to play right from the get-go,” said Lyons, who finished with a game-high 23 points. “Our teammates did what we needed to do for each other. If someone was open, we’d kick it out. I got my shots and same for the other girls, too.”

But before the Rockford fans could wish their opponents a pleasant drive home, Renaissance then found its land legs by cutting down its turnovers and hitting outside shots. Buoyed by 13 points from Christian Sanders, the Phoenix went on a 24-9 run over eight minutes, and closed the gap to 39-34 by the third minute of the third quarter.

But ultimately, it proved too great of a deficit to make up. Rockford (27-1) went on a 9-0 run to go back up by 14, 48-34, in the final minute of the third, and kept its foot on the gas into the fourth quarter, outscoring Renaissance, 17-6.

Rockford nearly had its entire starting five finish in double-figures. Alyssa Wypych with 13 and Anna Wypych with 12. Freshman guard Sienna Wolfe had 9.

Renaissance, (23-2), the Public School League champion, got the bulk of its scoring from Sanders (17 points) and Amyah Espanol (13).

“We have to give Rockford credit. They came in ready to play,” Renaissance coach Dashaun Wood said. “We got off to a bit of a slow start. They made some shots early and we didn’t and that kind of started that momentum for them. Once the momentum got carried over, we made a run before the half to get it to 13, but we probably dug ourselves too deep of a hole early on to come all the way back.”

Detroit Renaissance guard Christian Sanders makes a jump shot against Rockford during the first half of Rockford's 65-42 win in the Division 1 girls basketball semifinal at Breslin Center on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Detroit Renaissance guard Christian Sanders makes a jump shot against Rockford during the first half of Rockford's 65-42 win in the Division 1 girls basketball semifinal at Breslin Center on Friday, March 17, 2023.

Rockford will meet defending champion West Bloomfield in Saturday’s final, hoping to overcome a 66-63 loss to the Lakers in the 2022 semifinals.

Rockford coach Brad Wilson likes his team’s chances against the favored Lakers, compared to last year.

“This team can shoot just as well, maybe better, but what’s different about this team is we can attack the basket,” he said. “I feel like we’re a little bit more balanced, a little bit more multi-dimensional. If the shot’s not there, we can absolutely take it to the rim, handle the ball, read the defense, make a good pass or finish at the basket. This team’s more equipped to be able to handle different types of defenses and finish at the rim or hit the three.”

This is the Rams’ first time in a championship game.

“We’re so excited,” Lyons said. “We knew we wanted to be here from the beginning of the season. It’s been our goal, and our motto has been ‘Finish,’ so we really want to get it done.”

Renaissance has played in five state finals but collected its only victory in 2005, while in Division 2.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Rockford girls basketball runs by Renaissance in Division 1 semifinal