Goodrich’s varsity basketball team came across a familiar face in district action Nov. 16.
The Martians (16-4), who had a bye in the first round, took on Flint Powers (14-7) in Class B district competition that evening at Flint Southwestern Academy. The game took place after this edition of The Citizen went to press.
One of the Chargers? players is Nykole Pfaff, a starter on last year’s Martian team, and one of Goodrich’s leading scorers last year, who transferred to Powers for the 2005-06 school year.
The Chargers easily defeated LakeVille 56-14 in first-round district action Nov. 14.
The last time Goodrich faced off against Powers in playoff action, the Chargers hit a 35-foot shot with eight seconds left to defeat the Martians in a 2002 regional final, according to Goodrich coach Jason Gray.
In all, the Chargers have eliminated the Martians from the state playoffs five of the past eight years, Gary said.
Before the game against Powers, Gray said he did not speak to Pfaff about the reasons for her transfer, but said Powers should be a top-notch foe for the Martians.
He also said in order for the Martians to have a shot at defeating the Chargers, the Martians will have to make Powers work for every point they get.
‘It really comes down to not letting them beat you down the floor for easy layups, and not letting them get offensive rebounds,? he said.
Goodrich senior captain Amy Ramiller, a teammate of Pfaff’s last season, also said Pfaff did not speak to her about the reasons behind her transfer to Powers.
Regardless, she said the team is anxious to prove their mettle against the Chargers.
‘They’ve been a rival of ours for the past couple years,? she said. ‘All I can say is it’s going to be a good game. We’ve played a lot of hard games on the road this year. I think we’re ready.?