'X-factor' Maddie Fant helps Haslett girls basketball pass another big test in Lansing Catholic

Maddie Fant believes her strong suit is defense.

The Haslett senior prides herself on being a defensive stopper and doing plenty of other little things that often fly under the radar.

But Fant has shown the ability to do more than just those things for the Division 2 No. 4-ranked Vikings. That was on display Tuesday as she helped Haslett remain unbeaten.

Fant supplied some key offense early and again late for the CAAC Red-leading Vikings in their 59-49 victory over CAAC White leader Lansing Catholic.

Fant finished with 16 points while helping Haslett (18-0) get past the Cougars, who are receiving votes in Division 2 in the latest Associated Press rankings and had won 11 straight.

"It definitely helped my confidence because earlier in the season I was struggling shooting." Fant said. " A couple games ago I started to shoot (well) and then I lost it again. Now I feel like it's back."

Fant had a couple early baskets to fuel Haslett before it found its footing in the early stages. Then she stepped up again in the middle stages of the fourth quarter just as Lansing Catholic (13-5) was making a late push and had cut a 13-point deficit to seven following 3s by Anna Richards and Gabby Halliwill.

Fant answered with a big 3-pointer from a corner that pushed Haslett's advantage back to double figures. She then grabbed an offensive rebound on Haslett's next possession and converted it into a basket.

Fant had seven points in the game's final 4:20.

"I love Maddie Fant," Haslett coach Ross Baker said. "She is a coach's dream because she does whatever you ask her to do. We often call her our X-factor because if we need baskets in the paint, she gets some. If we need to get going from the arc, she hits a couple 3s. She's our defensive stopper. She makes all the 50-50 plays. I'm just glad she's on our team."

Emily Homan had 10 points for Haslett, which included knocking down a 3 from just inside half-court before the opening half ended.

Tuesday's win marked the latest for Haslett against one of the area's top programs. The Vikings have also posted wins over DeWitt and Holt, who have been the top two teams in the CAAC Blue and each been ranked in the top 10 in Division 1.

Baker said veteran leadership has helped Haslett prevail in numerous big games.

"We have five senior starters and we have 14 strong on this team that support each other and love each other and really play for each other," Baker said. "We wouldn't be anywhere without our leaders like Emily Homan, Grace Isenhath, Ellie Humble and Maddie Fant and Isabel Lindo."

Leah Richards had a game-high 21 points and Anna Richards had 17 points for Lansing Catholic

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Haslett girls basketball takes down Lansing Catholic