The girls basketball season is underway! There was limited action on Monday, but nearly everyone played on Tuesday evening.
Three Biggest Victories
1-Byron Center over East Kentwood: The Bulldogs flexed their muscle in the first evening of the season, taking down the Falcons. This was an impressive showing on the road, running away from EK in the second half. McKenna Ferguson is the real deal, leading the way with 26 points for BC.
2-Newaygo over Shelby. The Lions started the season with a victory against a strong Shelby team. Jaxi Long was phenomenal, scoring 24 points. Shelby held a 19-18 lead, before Newaygo held the Tigers to just seven points after the break.
3-Kent City over Muskegon. The Eagles had to replace two of their best players, as well as their head coach. Kent City travelled to Muskegon to face the Big Reds, and they shot out of the gates to the tune of a 16-3 lead, powering them to a victory over a strong program in Muskegon. Madelyn Geers had 18 points, while Lexie Bowers tossed in 14.
“Starting Five”: Top 5 Individual Performances
1-McKenna Ferguson (Byron Center); 26 points
2-Jaxi Long (Newaygo); 24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals
3-Gabby Reynolds (West Ottawa); 22 points
4-Mady Weber (Hopkins); 22 points
5-Claire Gregwer (Grandville); 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks
Monday November 29
Loy Norrix 48 Ottawa Hills 35
Mattawan 56 Paw Paw 36
Portage Northern 43 Lansing Everett 14
Tuesday November 30
Allendale 35 Whitehall 29: The Falcons won their 2021-22 opener against Whitehall on Tuesday evening. A game that was knotted up at 13 at the break, Allendale scored double digits in each of the final two quarters. Hannah Schroeder led Allendale with 13 points, while Avery Jozwiak added 7. Charley Klint paced Whitehall with 7 points and 13 rebounds, and Lola Buckner tossed in 6 points.
Belding 46 Saranac 34
Bloomingdale 50 Gobles 49
Byron Center 76 East Kentwood 47: The Bulldogs delivered a statement on the opening night of the year, taking down the Falcons on the road by 29 points. After doubling up EK in the opening frame, Byron Center added a second half advantage of 23 points to expand their lead. McKenna Ferguson had 26 points to pace the Bulldogs, while Lily Zeinstra tossed in 20. Cierra Laska was the other Bulldog in double figures with 14. In defeat, East Kentwood was led by Makenzie Mondy (20 points) and Deyonce Thompson (14).
Cadillac 38 Reed City 25
Comstock 36 Fennville 8: The Colts begin their year with a convincing win over Fennville. The offense of the Blackhawks struggled, as they trailed 18-3 at halftime. “Offensively we struggled, as we were able to score 8 points on the night. We rolled out two freshmen, two sophomores and a senior that hasn’t played since 8th grade, so there are some growing pains”, Fennville Head Coach Josh Weimer shared. Carmen Tencate and Lila Rosema each had 4 for Fennville.
Coopersville 31 Ravenna 20: The Broncos got out to an 8-2 lead after the opening frame, and they built that into a 18-6 halftime edge. In the second half, Ravenna closed the gap by a single point, but could draw no closer.
Freeland 36 Sanford Meridian 20
Godwin Heights 45 Orchard View 13
Grandville 49 Middleville 33: The Bulldogs took down the Trojans in the season opener. Claire Gregwer, a senior for Grandville, had a huge game with 15 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Gracie Rakosky, the standout sophomore, had a strong performance with 14 points, 6 rebounds and multiple steals. Olivia McKellar chipped in 8 for Grandville.
Grant 60 White Cloud 15
Greenville 49 Central Montcalm 47: The ‘Jackets raced out to a 12-point first half lead, but Central Montcalm battled back. Ultimately, the Hornets finished two points shy of Greenville. Emily Putnam led CM with 17 points and 7 rebounds. Maia Sexton finished with a double-double, recording 10 points and 13 rebounds. Kamryn Nicholson finished with 7 points. Greenville had two big scorers on the evening. Megan Leslie led the team with 21 points, while Alexis Dunn added 19.
Hastings 30 Eaton Rapids 16
Holland 53 Fruitport 22: The Dutch saw an offensive explosion in their first victory of 2021. Both Ari Gray and Ellie Zomer each finished with 16 points. Beka Stilwell and Julia Kooyer chipped in 7 points each.
Holland Christian 43 Covenant Christian 34
Hopkins 48 Martin 24: The Vikings doubled up the Clippers in the season opener for both teams. Offense was scarce in the first quarter, as the game was knotted up at two. Hopkins picked up the pace offensive with at least fourteen points in each of the final three quarters. Makala Goddard led Martin with 7 points, while Avery Jager chipped in 5. Mady Weber led all scorers with 22 for Hopkins. Corrie Wisser (9) and Ellie Sebright (8) had strong scoring performances as well for the victorious Vikings.
Kalamazoo Christian 51 Calvin Christian 43
Kenowa Hills 52 Northview 28
Kent City 41 Muskegon 30: A blistering start helped the Eagles capture a big road victory in their season opener. Kent City led 16-3 after eight minutes of play. Muskegon played better in the second frame, trimming the deficit to just eight. Kent City would win the third quarter by three, then match Muskegon point-for-point in the final frame. Madelyn Geers led Kent City with 18 points, while Lexie Bowers tossed in 14.
Lowell 66 Cedar Springs 30: The Red Arrows cruised past Cedar Springs in their season opener. Piper Risdon paced Lowell with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals. Braxcynn Baker added 15 points and 4 rebounds. Emma Bruwer joined the double-figure scoring column with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Mason County Central 42 Manistee 31
Mendon 49 Union City 17
Mona Shores 54 Forest Hills Eastern 31: The Sailors got their year off on the right foot, taking down Forest Hills Eastern by 23. It was a close game early, with Mona Shores holding a 16-15 edge after the first quarter. The second quarter was pivotal for Mona Shores, as they outscored FHE 16-4 to create separation at the break. Victories in the final two quarters would extend the final margin. Olivia Sobczak had a game-high 15 for the Sailors, while Khaleeya Cook joined her in double figures with 13. Ali Phillips and Jenna Tierman each tossed in 8 points. The Hawks were led in defeat by Grace Doherty (9 points). Brooke Toigo and Hannah Bhatnagar added 7 each.
Montague 45 Comstock Park 38: Coach Nick Thaler earned a victory in his debut for the Wildcats. Claire Meacham led the ‘Gue with 18, while Kendall Osborne (11) and Haylee Schwarz (10) joined her in double figures. In the final quarter, Montague’s defense was key, holding Comstock Park to just six points. The Panthers were led by Durry (12 points) and Bussert (11).
Newaygo 47 Shelby 26: The Lions begin 2021 with a victory over a strong Shelby team. Jaxi Long nearly outscored the entire Tigers crew, with 24 points. Long, who had five made three-pointers, added six rebounds and three steals. Emmerson Goodin had 15 points and 9 rebounds, which helped her eclipse the 500 career rebound mark. “I am very proud of Emmerson”, Newaygo Head Coach Nate Thomasma shared. “She is always willing to do the tough work for our team and it has really helped in our success. The Tigers led 19-18 at halftime, but struggled to put the ball in the basket in the second half. “I thought we had a great second half shooting the ball”, Thomasma remarked. “We struggled in the first half to make shots, and Emmerson really carried us through it.”
Northpointe Christian 59 West Michigan Aviation Academy 19
Otsego 48 Wayland 33
Parchment 33 Holland Black River 23
Portage Central 45 Coldwater 39
Portage Northern 49 Loy Norrix 34: The Huskies took down the Knights in the Loy Norrix Tip Off Tournament Championship title game on Tuesday night.
Potter’s House 42 Muskegon Catholic Central 18: The Pumas start their 2021-22 season with a win over the Crusaders. Potter’s House led 12-3 after the first quarter, pushed that lead to 19 at the break, and 28 after the third quarter was complete. Muskegon Catholic was led by Erin LaVigne, who scored 7 points.
Sparta 41 Oakridge 23: The Spartans took down the Eagles in their season opener. A pair of players finished in double figures for Sparta. Ashley Cowdrey led the team with 13 points, while Bella Vallone tossed in 10.
Spring Lake 67 Fremont 28: The Lakers dominated Fremont in the opening game of the year for both teams. Offense was hard to come by early, as it was 6-0 Spring Lake after the first quarter. The pressure defense allowed Spring Lake to open up a 25-5 halftime advantage. Twelve of the thirteen Lakers scored in this victory. Lauren Cavalier led the way with 10 points, w hile Ella Andree and Sara Spooner chipped in 8. Alexa Carter had 7 points and 7 rebounds. Fremont was led by Lily VandenBerg with 11 points, but they were doomed after committing 25 turnovers.
Tri-County 57 Lakeview 29
Vicksburg 26 Kalamazoo Hackett 18
West Ottawa 58 Gull Lake 34: The Panthers got out to a fast start and never looked back against Gull Lake in their season opener. West Ottawa took a 41-13 lead to the locker room, and they were only outscored by four in the second half. Gabby Reynolds paced WO with 22 points, while Grace Pedersen joined her in double figures with 11. Both Molly Borski and Natalie Wilcox finished with 8 points, while Chelsea Overbeek added 6.
Wyoming 57 Benton Harbor 30
Zeeland West 49 Unity Christian 37
