The Lakeland women's basketball team faced off against the Mid-Moichigan Lakers today in the Great Lakes District A finals. Despite a valiant effort, it was not to be for Lakeland as they dropped a 69-65 decision to end their season with an overall record of 22-4. The game was a battle throughout, but the Lakers were just never able to get into a sustained rhythm. The Lakers had a tough first quarter as their shots just would not fall for them. The Lakers shot just under 29% (6-21) from the field and were 0-7 from beyond the arc. Additionally, the Lakers uncharacteristically did not shoot any free throws in the first quarter while they picked up critical personal fouls. Despite that, the Lakers only trailed 15-12 at the end of the first quarter. Lakeland was a little better in the second quarter as they shot 44% from the field (7-16). They continued to struggle beyond the arc as they shot 0-4 while again, shooting no free throws in the quarter. Despite their offensive struggles, the Lakers trailed 31-26 at the break and had to feel good knowing that their fortunes  should change.

The second half started with Gianna Pegoraro draining a 3-pointer on a pass from Makayla Gordon to bring the Lakers within 2 points at 31-29. Mid-Michigan would answer hitting a three. The Lakers then missed a shot and Mid-Michigan connected on a layup to increase their lead to 36-29.  Gordon would then drive the baseline and hit an 8-footer as she was fouled. She also hit the free throw to close the gap to 36-32. The Lakers picked up their defensive effort and caused a turnover. On the next possession, Pegoraro drove the paint and kicked it to Alesia Marshall who drained a 3-pointer to bring the Lakers within 1 point, 36-35. Mid-Michigan would score on their next possession and then again after a charge was called on the Lakers. On Lakeland's next possession, Lauren Perry would drive the lane and connect on a finger roll to close the gap to 40-37. After a Mid-Michogan foul, Makayla Gordon would hit Gianna Pegoraro with a pass and Pegoraro drained a 3-pointer to tie the score at 40 with 5:15 to play in the 3rd quarter. After a Mid-Michigan miss, Lauren Perry would grab an offensive rebound and get fouled.  She connected on 1-2 free throws to give the Lakers the lead at 41-40. Lakeland was then whistled for fouls on consecutive possessions and the visitors connected on all four free throws to make the score 44-41. Zion Fussell then drove the lane and hit a short jumper to cut the lead to one at 43-44. Mid-Michigan would answer again by connecting on another 3-pointer. Gianna Pegoraro was fouled and connected on 1-2 free throws before Mid-Michigan hit another three to grow the lead to 50-44. The teams would trade baskets to end the quarter at 52-46 in favor of Mid-Michigan.

The Lakers would continue to battle as Lauren Perry connected on a 3-pointer from a kick out pass from Gianna Pegoraro to trim the lead to 52-49. The Lakers then missed shots and had a turnover as Mid-Michigan capitalized to grow their lead to 58-49. Madison Fueger would then collect an offensive rebound and score on a put back to bring the Lakers back within 7 at 58-51 with 5:37 to play. Mid-Michigan would later come down and hit another 3-pointer to increase their lead to 61-51 with 4:45 to play. On the Lakers next possession, Alesia Marshall drove the lane and kicked it out to Madison Fueger who nailed a 3-pointer to cut the lead 61-54. The Lakers then stole the ball and Lauren Perry was fouled while shooting and connected on 1-2 free throws with 3:29 to play. After a Mid-Michigan timeout, they would connect on another 3-pointer to increase their lead 64-55. Both teams would then miss shots before Zion Fussell would hit an 18-footer to bring the Lakers within 7 at 64-57 with 2:40 to play. Alesia Marshall then pressured the Mid-Michigan player to force a turnover. Lauren Perry would grab an offensive rebound and save the ball as she was falling out of bounds. Lakeland would cycle the ball and feed Fussell who drove the lane and hit a layup to make the score 64-59 with 1:28 to play. Mid-Michigan called a timeout and then hit another 3-pointer to grow their lead to 67-59 with 1:18 to play. On the Lakers next possession, Pegoraro was fouled while shooting and connected on 1-2 free throws. Later, the Lakers would steal the ball and Lauren Perry would connect on a 3-pointer from the top of the key to draw the Lakers within 4 points at 67-63. On the ensing inbounds play, Madison Fueger would steal the inbounds pass and score to bring the Lakers within 2 at 67-65 with 38.9 seconds to play. The Lakers, who only had two team fouls, would follow 3 times in a row to put Mid-Michigan on the line. Mid-Michigan missed both free throws and the Lakers gathered the rebound and called a timeout with 16.2 seconds to play in the game.  After advancing the ball to mid-court, the Lakers had an open drive to the hoop to go for the tie, but the ball rimmed out. The Lakers then fouled and Mid-Michigan hit both of their free throws to end the game.

The Lakers finished with four players scoring in double digits. Lauren Perry was the high scorer recording 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 steals. Madison Fueger finished with a double-double scoring 17 points and collecting 10 rebounds and 4 steals. Gianna Pegoraro ended her afternoon with 10 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists. Zion Fussell also scored 10 points for the Lakers while Makayla Gordon finished with 7 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists.