Brumitt's buckets help Brandywine girls basketball win MHSAA state quarterfinal game

FENNVILLE, Mi. — Kadence Brumitt isn’t the tallest player on the court, but she plays like one.

The Brandywine senior had three key offensive rebounds and putbacks in the third quarter, helping the Bobcats knock off Covenant Christian, 43-34, in an MHSAA Division 3 girls basketball state quarterfinal game Tuesday night.

From last week: How Brandywine won its 10th regional title in program history

Brandywine (25-1) will play Lake City (25-2) in the state semifinals at noon Thursday at the Breslin Center, located on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing.

“It’s a grind every practice, for sure,” explained Brumitt on how she’s become good at rebounding. “I have my sister (Brook) and I have some other people to help me go against that. But to be honest, it’s really volleyball that’s helped me the most with jumping. It goes hand-and-hand.”

Family following: As one Knapp wins a basketball state title, another one looks to follow suit at Brandywine

Brumitt, a Valparaiso University volleyball commit, helped the Bobcats fend off a third quarter rally from the Chargers (19-6). Covenant scored five points in as many seconds to cut the Brandywine lead to one possession, 23-20, with 5:50 to go in the frame.

The next four points came from Brumitt off offensive rebounds. She also had another layup and a third offensive rebound-putback to end a 10-2 run for the Bobcats in the third frame.

“Those were very important because it was obvious the momentum wasn’t on our side,” Brumitt said.

Brumitt finished the game with 12 points and seven rebounds.

“Nothing rattles Kadence Brumitt,” Brandywine coach Josh Hood said. “Her demeanor is always the same. I try to get her to smile once in a while — maybe we’ve seen it twice. But Kadence Brumitt is a gamer, and I’m just so proud of her.”

Covenant Christian didn’t fold despite being down 11 entering the fourth. It eventually cut the deficit to six, 35-29, with four minutes remaining in regulation.

That’s when Adelyn Drotoz made her presence felt in the game, drilling a huge ‘3’ to push the Bobcat lead to nine. It all-but guaranteed Brandywine’s first trip to the state semifinals since 2016.

“We were kind of playing not to lose there for a little bit,” Hood said. “It was the first quarterfinal game for these girls, so of course you get a little tense there. We kept looking up, just thinking ‘we have to get through these three minutes,’ but really, you need to stay in attack mode.”

Brandywine started strong, going ahead, 17-8, after the first quarter. The Chargers changed up its defense in the second frame, however, slowing things down and frustrating the Bobcats. It wound up only being a 21-13 lead for Brandywine at halftime.

Along with 12 points from Brumitt, senior Ellie Knapp led all scorers with 17 for Brandywine. Drotoz and junior Miley Young added six each and freshman Lily Gill had two to round out the scoring.

A win Thursday would be the first state semifinal victory in program history. The girls team is trying to match what the boys accomplished last week in winning a Division 3 state championship.

Mission accomplished: Niles Brandywine captures MHSAA Division 3 boys basketball state championship

“I think you’ll be really hard pressed to find a public school with the winter Brandywine has had,” Hood said. “We’ve talked about it — let’s just keep this ride going. What a great last month it’s been. We’re really excited to head back to Michigan State University.”

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Brandywine beats Covenant Christian in MHSAA girls basketball state quarterfinals