• East Lansing's Taryn McCutcheon with a game-high 28 points.

LANSING - The opening round of the MHSAA girls playoffs pitted two of the state's best in a red-hot East Lansing (15-6) squad and the reigning Class B state runner-up Haslett Vikings. The CAAC Blue-leading Trojans pulled away in third quarter and never looked back, knocking off heavyweight Haslett, 60-42.

East Lansing point guard Taryn McCutcheon took over in the second half, scoring a bulk of her game-high 28 points. The combination of McCutcheon's ball-handling, jump shot and free throw-shooting abilities made for one huge obstacle Haslett could not overcome, but it is what McCutcheon has done for her teammates that East Lansing head coach Rob Smith noted after the victory.

"It's just her resiliency and knowledge of the game, all of our players are better now," Smith said. "They can do the things that they are good at."

Sophomore Jaida Hampton played biggest beneficiary Monday night with 15 points.

The Lady Trojans stay at Lansing Waverly to face Grand Ledge in the district semis Wednesday night at 5 p.m.