Usually, the death blow for Howell opponents came on a Gabby Piepho three-point dagger.
But now there is a new level of sophistication for the Howell girls basketball team. Danger lurks in a variety of ways.
The Highlanders can put you to sleep with a suffocating defense. They can wear you down with full -court pressure, fast breaks or a potent half-court game. Piepho is still dangerous, but fellow guards Alison Farr, Kylie Pung or junior Hannah Ralko can put teams to sleep with solid three-point play or by driving to the cup.
Howell is no longer this cute and young team that wins by superior talent and determination. It is a senior laden team gunning for a state championship. Even when Piepho has an off shooting night the Highlanders keep cooking.
Howell won its eighth in the last nine games over Milford Wednesday night 43-27 mostly because of relentless defense along with a sprinkle of offense from guards Alison Farr, Maurisa Mikus and Piepho.
Howell is on a phenomenal six-year heater, amassing a 96-36 record which includes two KLAA West Division titles. Howell was unable to repeat as conference champions despite a better conference record than in 2024 when it did win the title.
This group is 50-19 the last three seasons and seek a state title. However, getting out of districts won’t be easy. Hartland (18-5) has revenge on its mind when the two face off in Friday’s district finals at Hartland High School.
We won’t know the outcome, but we do know it will be a tense battle of give and take between the rivals. Howell edged Hartland twice this season -- 44-39 at home in overtime and 42-36 at Hartland.
Hartland used to be the gold standard for Livingston County girls basketball. However, Howell has bested Hartland in the last two district finals and seeks a third straight title Friday.