Grace Isenhath sets tone for Haslett girls basketball in season-opening victory
HASLETT − Grace Isenhath spent more time than she would have liked on the bench next to coach Ross Baker during the opening game of her senior season.
But when the Northwood commit was on the court, she showed why she is one of the big pieces for a Haslett girls basketball team with high expectations.
Isenhath was the top scorer with 14 and added six rebounds in Haslett's 49-38 victory Tuesday over Jackson Northwest, which has been one of the top programs in the Interstate 8.
"I was happy with how I played," said Isenhath, who was Haslett's leading scorer as a junior. "I really went into it focusing on just, like, living in the moment. I wasn't thinking the game too much. I just want to play my game and focus on what I could do to help the team. I think I did that when I got my minutes."
Isenhath was the top scorer for the Vikings despite being in foul trouble for most of the night. She sat the final 5:19 of the second quarter after picking up her third foul and only lasted 59 seconds on the court in the third quarter before going back to the bench when she picked up her fourth foul.
"When she's on the floor, with her ability to play inside out, she's really important to us," Baker said. "She's just another great senior leader and we've just got to keep her on the floor more."
Before getting in foul trouble, Isenhath set the tone for Haslett. She scored the first seven points of the contest and fueled an 11-2 run that gave the Vikings a lead they never relinquished.
"Grace is awesome," Haslett senior Isabel Lindo said. "She's huge for us. There's so many things that are unnoticed (she does) just with rebounds, just battling in the post on defense, too. She's a great player and she's going to do a lot of great things for us this season. It was good that she got us off to a good start."
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When Jackson Northwest made its pushes with Isenhath off the floor, her teammates stepped up and made big plays. Those included senior Emily Homan and Lindo, who both also scored in double figures with 10 points.
Homan had a late basket in the second quarter to end an 11-0 run for Northwest. Lindo, who spent her first three seasons at Williamston, had eight points in the second half. Those included a pair of big 3s that provided the Vikings with a big boost.
And seeing how her teammates came through in her absence further excites Isenhath about what the Vikings can do this season.
"We have so much potential," Isenhath said. "I'm so excited. Practice is where we are going to make our team good. I'm excited to get this season going."
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Girls basketball: Grace Isenhath sets tone in Haslett's opening win
