Photo Credit: Eric Tuori
Plenty of action across the area on both Thursday and Friday evenings. A summary and some key highlights from these games.
Three Biggest Victories
1-West Catholic over East Grand Rapids: The Falcons throttled East Grand Rapids, hitting twelve triples in the process. We all knew about Kimball and Cadence Dykstra, but Elisha Dykstra shone brightest on Friday evening. The freshman put up a game-high 21 points. If she is able to score consistently, this adds just another tough matchup for this strong WC team.
2-Hudsonville over Mona Shores: The defending State Champions started their repeat efforts with a dominant performance over the Sailors. Four Eagles finished in double figures as they cruised to a big victory.
3-Rockford over Byron Center: The Bulldogs delivered a statement win of their own on Tuesday, dominating East Kentwood. This made Rockford’s 12-point win over Byron Center all the more impressive on Friday. Rockford captured a District Championship last winter, and this group seems capable of a repeat effort based on this early return.
“Starting Five”: Top 5 Individual Performances on Friday
1-Gracie Shettler (Martin); 31 points
2-Elisha Dykstra (West Catholic); 21 points, 4 made three-pointers
3-Kendall Osborne (Montague); 19 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds
4-Claire Gregwer (Grandville); 15 points, 10 rebounds, 8 steals
5-Jayd Hovey (Hart); 13 points, 9 steals, 5 assists, 5 rebounds
THURSDAY Bonus: Sydney Vis (South Christian); 34 points, 7 rebounds
Thursday December 2
Grand Rapids Christian 61 Unity Christian 46
Kalamazoo Christian 58 Calhoun Christian 21
Mendon 42 Quincy 41
Muskegon 48 Kalamazoo Central 47
South Christian 49 Forest Hills Northern 42: The Sailors were able to power past FHN on Thursday evening. Sydney Vis put on an offensive clinic with a game-high 34 points for South Christian. Vis was 8/19 from the floor, including 6/8 from beyond the arc. She also was 12/13 from the charity stripe with 7 rebounds in thirty minutes of action. Ashley Thomasma complemented Vis with 8 points. Layne Sietsema paced FHN with 15 points, while Vivien Enrico added 9.
Friday December 3
Belding 58 Potter’s House 25: The Black Knights improve to 2-0 on the season after they crushed the Pumas on Friday evening. Belding’s offense came almost exclusively from two sources. Brook Simpson led the team with 27 points, while Alison Rockburn added 20 points.
Caledonia 42 Covenant Christian 33: The Fighting Scots got the 2021-22 season started with a victory over the Chargers. Caledonia blitzed Covenant in the opening frame, jumping out to a 14-3 lead. Over the next two quarters, Covenant Christian outscored Caledonia by three, allowing them to trim the margin to eight with eight minutes to go. Strong play by Chloe Kaptein allowed the Chargers to get within two points, but Gracie Gortmaker hit a couple of big baskets to preserve the lead. Gortmaker finished with a game-high 19 points, while Cadence Bommarito and Morgan Babb each chipped in 7 for the Fighting Scots. Chloe Kaptein finished with 13 points for Covenant, while Lydia Meulenberg added 7.
Cedar Springs 51 Grant 45
Comstock Park 54 Kenowa Hills 44
Forest Hills Central 59 Wyoming 44: The Rangers bested the Wolves in their season opener on Friday. As expected, the Rangers were led by Theryn Hallock, who finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 10 steals and 6 assists! Jordan Koning, making her freshman debut, had 8 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and a steal. Maya Holser also had a strong varsity debut with 8 points and 10 rebounds.
Grand Haven 48 Traverse City Central 30
Grandville 40 Petoskey 37: The Bulldogs travelled up to Petoskey on Friday evening, returning home with a thrilling victory. Grandville was led by the Gregwers, Claire and Tessa. Claire nearly posted a triple-double with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 8 steals. Tessa added 5 points and 14 rebounds.
Hamilton 45 Zeeland West 44: It was a back-and-forth battle between the Hawkeyes and the Dux on Friday evening. Zeeland West got ahead by three points after the first quarter, but Hamilton rallied to take a 23-20 halftime edge. The Hawkeyes went on a run to lead by as many as twelve points, but Zeeland West rallied to take a one-point lead. Kyra Kleinhesksel hit the tying three-pointer and go-ahead free throw to propel Hamilton to victory.
Hart 59 Mason County Central 12: The Pirates cruised to a season-opening victory in WMC action against Mason County Central. In the opening frame, Hart swarmed the Spartans defensively, securing a 23-3 lead. Throughout the remainder of the game, this pattern remained the same, as they led 44-6 at halftime. Jayd Hovey paced the Pirates with 13 points, 9 steals, 5 assists and 5 rebounds. Aspen Boutell added 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Abby Hicks joined them in double figures with 10 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. Addi Hovey (6 steals) and Morgan Marvin (5 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks) had strong days as well.
Holland 38 Northview 36
Holland Black River 36 Fennville 25: It was a battle between the Rats and the Blackhawks on Friday evening. The teams were tied after the first quarter, before Black River jumped ahead by a point at the break. Fennville outplayed Black River in the third quarter, taking a 20-19 advantage into the final frame. In the fourth, the Rats scored a game high 17 points to secure a victory. “We played three quarters of solid defense, before we allowed too many second chance opportunities in the fourth quarter”, Fennville Head Coach Josh Weimer shared. Lila Rosema and Madisynn Jefferson each had 6 points for Fennville in defeat, while Christina Mendoza added 4 points.
Holton 52 Lee 20
Hudsonville 72 Mona Shores 33: The Eagles and Sailors met in a rematch of last year’s Regional Semifinals. Similar to that contest, the Eagles were able to emerge with a double-digit victory. This time around, they got out to an eight-point first quarter lead before exploding in the middle two quarters. The defending Division 1 State Champions were led by Jaci Tubergen and Ella Reifschneider, who each finished with 15 points. Ellery Baker and Maddie Petroelje both contributed 12 points. Mona Shores was led by Ali Phillips with 8 points, while Khaleeya Cook and Mia Brown tossed in 6 points each.
Kalamazoo Hackett 54 Onekama 41
Kent City 55 Big Rapids 34: The Eagles had little problem in a CSAA crossover against Big Rapids. It was 32-11 Kent City at halftime, as Savannah Miller hit her first ever three-pointer on her birthday. In the second half, the teams played even, allowing Kent City to win by 21. Lexie Bowers led the way with 14 points and 5 assists, while Madelyn Geers chipped in 12 points and 5 assists.
Lawton 59 Delton Kellogg 24: The Blue Devils began their 2021-22 season with a win over the Panthers on Friday evening. It was a team effort offensively with four players scoring at least eight points. Reese Olson led the way with 14 points and 8 rebounds, while Addi Price chipped in 10 points. Kylee Somers and Sarah DeKoning each finished with 8 points. Gabriella High had 7 points and 6 rebounds, while Ella Richter got it done doing the little things, finishing with 4 points, 7 rebounds and 7 steals. This is the first win for Lawton under first-year Head Coach Jeremy Macon.
Ludington 57 Zeeland East 37: The Orioles captured a non-conference win over the Chix on Friday evening. After a close first quarter in which Ludington led by a single point, the Orioles doubled up Zeeland East in the second frame. This propelled them to a commanding victory. RyAnn Rohrer led Ludington with 22 points, while Keelyn Laird chipped in 20. In defeat Zeeland East had a pair of scorers in double figures. Maddie Schuur finished with 15, while Rachel Miller tossed in 14.
Manistee Catholic Central 36 Brethren 32
Martin 62 West Michigan Aviation Academy 40: The Clippers bounced back from their season-opening loss to Hopkins with a strong showing against WMAA. Gracie Shettler put on quite the performance, scoring 31 of the team’s 62 points. Aubrey Mileski (16) and Ava Bazuin (13) finished in double figures for the Aviators in defeat.
Mason County Eastern 39 Walkerville 26: The Cardinals began their season and the West Michigan “D” slate with a 13-point win over Walkerville. Strong play in the opening and closing quarter powered MCE to their victory in this game. Hillary Howe led the Cardinals with 18 points, while Corinna Hernandez added 16 points and 10 rebounds. Lucy Shoup did not score, but she led MCE with 14 rebounds. Heaven Rodriguez paced Walkerville with 12 points.
Middleville 50 Lake Odessa Lakewood 14
Montague 52 Oakridge 36: The Wildcats began WMC play with a double-digit win over Oakridge, thanks to a 22-12 fourth quarter edge. It was a team effort, as three Montague players finished in double figures. Kendall Osborne nearly had a triple-double with 19 points, 9 assists and 7 rebounds. Haylee Schwarz (12 points and 7 rebounds) and Claire Meacham (11 points and 10 rebounds) joined the scoring party. Anna Lundquist led Oakridge with 13 points.
Pewamo-Westphalia 44 Central Montcalm 32: The Hornets lost to a tough PW team on Friday evening. Once again, the Hornets found themselves struggling offensively early. Similar to their opener against Greenville, Central Montcalm battled back in the second half to get within striking distance. Maia Sexton posted another double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Courtney Guelzo and Emily Putnam each chipped in five points for CM.
Reeths-Puffer 57 Spring Lake 29: The Rockets nearly doubled up the Lakers in a non-league battle along the Lakeshore. Spring Lake got out to a 4-2 lead early, but Puffer scored 17 straight points to create a big lead. Ariel Walker led the victorious Rockets with 18 points, while Sophia Hekkema added 16. Alex Carter paced Spring Lake with 7 points and 5 rebounds, while Nicole Schmitt finished with 5 points and 3 rebounds.
Rockford 55 Byron Center 43: The Rams took down the Bulldogs in a battle of strong programs. Rockford got ahead 13-5 after the first quarter, and they built their lead over the next two quarters. Byron Center won the fourth quarter by a basket, but it was too late. Alina Anderson led Rockford with 20 points, while Grace Lyons (11) and Elle Irwin (10) each had double-digit scoring nights. Byron Center had just three girls score, all finishing in double figures. Avery Zeinstra led the Bulldogs with 20 points, Lily Zeinstra added 13 points, and McKenna Ferguson finished with 10.
Saugatuck 49 Fruitport Calvary Christian 46
Shelby 47 North Muskegon 18
Sparta 44 Greenville 35: The Spartans defeated the ‘Jackets to improve to 2-0 on the season. Makayla Hatchew led the way for Sparta with 14 points. Ashley Cowdrey (9), Averi Peot (7) and Miah Lamancusa (6) all contributed for the Spartans offensively as well.
Wayland 50 Hopkins 36: The Vikings travelled to neighboring Wayland for a competitive non-league tussle. Mady Weber paced Hopkins in defeat with 11 points, while Ellie Sebright chipped in 10. Corrie Wisser was the Vikings’ third-leading scorer with 6 points.
West Catholic 74 East Grand Rapids 43: It was a much-anticipated opener for both East Grand Rapids and West Catholic on Friday evening. From the opening tipoff, West Catholic drained baskets left and right to create a big lead. Ahead 40-17 at halftime, the Falcons continued to roll in the second half, hitting 12 three pointers in four quarters of action. Abbey Kimball had 17 points, but Elisha Dykstra led all scorers with 21 points in the freshman’s first varsity contest. Macy Brown led East Grand Rapids with 20 points.
West Ottawa 33 Holland Christian 31: The Panthers held off the Maroons in a crosstown showdown. Both teams entered this game previously unbeaten. After an evenly played first quarter, WO took a 15-13 halftime lead. By the end of the third quarter, West Ottawa extended their lead to six points. Holland Christian trimmed the margin, but they fell a basket short. Gabby Reynolds led West Ottawa in scoring once again with 12 points. Molly Borski and Natalie Wilcox each added 8 for WO. Holland Christian was paced offensively by Jenna VandenBrink with her 11 points.
Whitehall 39 Ravenna 31: The Vikings earned their first victory on Friday with a win over Ravenna in their WMC opener. Whitehall doubled up Ravenna 34-17 through the first three quarters, before the Bulldogs put together a strong fourth quarter finish. Charley Klint led Whitehall with 16 points and 6 rebounds, while Ashley Tenbrink added 7 points.
Zion Christian 52 Orchard View 26
