By: Jonathan Szczepaniak | Farmington Press | Published March 8, 2023
FARMINGTON — Farmington coach Laura Guzman wanted to give her team a challenge early on in the season before league play began.
Opening the season 1-4 with double-digit losses to Royal Oak and North Farmington, Farmington’s experienced core knew they were not playing up to their potential — specifically, a 52-11 loss to North Farmington in their fourth game, which senior guard Carissa Hankins said was season-altering.
Once Farmington’s Oakland Activities Association-Blue league competition hit, they were beyond battle-tested, and it showed quickly.
“I would say it definitely put a chip on our shoulder, and it showed us things we need to work on, like breaking a press or playing against teams who are tall, because we don’t have a bigger team,” Hankins said. “Also, it made us feel like we never want to lose like that again.”
While a loss to Farmington Hills Mercy closed the door on their season in the district semifinals March 1, it didn’t take away from the progress the program made this year.
Finishing 10-2 and second in the OAA-Blue, Farmington went 11-6 to finish the year behind Hankins, senior guard Yazmyne Thorpe, senior guard Zipporah Johnson, senior forward Desserre Glenn and senior guard Kenedi Jones.
“I think that’s why we’ve been so successful is because of the senior leadership,” Guzman said. “I think we have about a handful of seniors who have played varsity basketball for three-plus years.”
Thorpe, a Madonna University commit, was dominant offensively this season, leading the team in scoring.
While Thorpe’s contributions were something Farmington could count on, Jones’ return to the lineup has been long-awaited.
Jones, who missed her junior season due to an ankle injury, emerged as a reliable option on the offensive end this season.
Hankins said the acquisition of one player has helped the offense operate at a much more efficient pace this season.
“We got a new transfer player that allowed us to have more guard play, Zipporah Johnson, and that really strengthened us,” Hankins said. “It’s also been us able to work together and have a common goal to win.”
Johnson, a standout player at Ecorse High School, transferred to Farmington this season and was dominant on both sides of the ball.
Guzman said Johnson’s and Hankins’ defensive efforts created a lethal two-way backcourt this season.
“With those two, they take on the load of guarding the other team’s two best players,” Guzman said.
Glenn, in her first year playing high school basketball, controlled the paint for Farmington.
While Farmington fell short of a district title in the state tournament, Hankins said she felt the team already reached their goal this season.
“Ultimately, just growing as a team was an overall goal,” Hankins said.