Photo courtesy of Lou Murray: https://www.flickr.com/photos/45681226@N02/albums
Conference play began in the OK Conference on Friday evening. A recap of those games, as well as many others, can be found below:
FRIDAY JANUARY 7
Big Rapids 46 Central Montcalm 33: The Cardinals took down the Hornets in CSAA-Gold play on Friday. Emily Putnam and Maia Sexton each led CM in scoring with 14. Courtney Guelzo had a strong defensive showing for the Hornets in defeat.
Byron Center 74 East Grand Rapids 54: The Bulldogs coasted past the Pioneers in OK White action. McKenna Ferguson led BC with 18 points, while Avery Zeinstra (16), Lily Zeinstra (12) and Cierra Laska (11) were also in double digits. Macy Brown had a phenomenal evening with 33 points for the Pioneers in defeat.
Cedar Springs 54 Ottawa Hills 17
Comstock Park 72 Godwin Heights 36
Edwardsburg 50 Dowagiac 28: The Eddies were led by Katie Schaible and her 19 points, nearly outscoring Dowagiac in this Wolverine Conference game. Macey Laubach added 9 points, while Ella Castelucci tossed in 8. Alaroh Smith led Dowagiac with 12 points.
Frankenmuth 42 Swan Valley 30
GR Sacred Heart Academy 41 West Michigan Lutheran 6: Sacred Heart had very little trouble cruising to this victory. Lily Northon led Sacred Heart with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Sarah Miller and Julia Hyland added 6 points. Carlie Toering led WML in this game with 3 points.
Hastings 41 Jackson Lumen Christi 36
Holland Christian 55 Coopersville 22
Hudsonville 66 Grand Haven 33
Jenison 41 Grandville 24: The Wildcats cruised to a big OK Red win over the Bulldogs. Jenison scored in double figures in three of their four quarters. Terin Maynard matched the entire Grandville team offensively, scoring 24 points for the victorious Wildcats. Claire Gregwer scored 15 points for the Bulldogs.
Kalamazoo Hackett 39 Martin 35: The Clippers had to battle through an injury to star player Gracie Shettler, but they still nearly defeated Hackett. Turnovers, especially without a guard of her magnitude, led to their ultimate demise. Lyndsey Jager led Martin with 9 points. Catherine McMahon led Hackett with 25, while Mary Meadows tossed in 10.
Kent City 38 Hesperia 15: Eight of nine Eagles scored in this dominant showing at the CSAA-Silver action. Sylvia Freeland led the way with 11, while both Lexie Bowers and Savannah Miller finished with 6 points.
Lowell 64 Forest Hills Central 41: The Red Arrows secured an OK White victory over the Rangers. Braxcynn Baker had another phenomenal game with 31 points. Piper Risdon was also stellar for Lowell, recording 18 points and 15 rebounds.
Marion 49 Mason County Eastern 29: The Cardinals led 9-6 after the first quarter, but they were unable to hold onto that lead in a 20-point West Michigan “D” League defeat. Janessa Alvesteffer led MCE with 9 points.
Mona Shores 64 Union 42: The Sailors had little trouble with Union in OK Green action. Mona Shores led 25-12 after the first quarter, and added a 18-9 second quarter edge to create separation on the scoreboard. Ali Phillips paced the team with 13 points, while Lily Miller (12) and Mia Brown (11) were also in double figures. Christina Maze (20) and Zyna Mcspadden (16) led the way for Union.
Newaygo 68 Fremont 32: The Lions blitzed the Packers in CSAA-Gold action, more than doubling up the competition. Full-court pressure stifled Fremont, allowing Newaygo to jump ahead 23-6 after the first quarter. Newaygo forced 33 turnovers in this game. Jaxi Long led the Lion with 17 points, while Emmerson Goodin and Isabella Welch each added 16. Khalia Noordyk paced Fremont with 9 points and 12 rebounds.
Reed City 37 Chippewa Hills 33
Reeths-Puffer 61 Wyoming 26
Rockford 63 Caledonia 30: The Rams shot the lights out in this 33-point win. Rockford hit nine triples in this victory. Megan McCauly paced the way for Rockford with 20, while Grace Lyons and Elle Irwin each tossed in 12. Morgan Babb was the individual leader for Caledonia with 11.
South Christian 50 Middleville 33: The Sailors earned an OK Gold win over the Trojans on Friday. It was only 24-18 at half, before South was able to pull away. Sidney Vis led the Sailors with 23 points. Both teams recorded 31 turnovers, but the Sailors controlled the shooting edge, firing at a 47% clip.
Spring Lake 49 Fruitport 18: The Lakers scored the first 20 points in this game on their way to a rivalry rout. Meah Bajt led all scorers with 9 points and 3 steals for Spring Lake, while Jennifer Judge added 8 points and 10 rebounds. Alexa Carter also had 8 points and 4 rebounds. Ashton Olson was Fruitport’s top scorer with 6.
Tri-County 45 Grant 42
Tri-Unity Christian 47 Grand River Prep 31
Unity Christian 49 Allendale 22
West Catholic 69 Hamilton 40
West Ottawa 45 East Kentwood 37: The Panthers began OK Red play with a victory over the Falcons. Gabby Reynolds started league play out with a 20 point performance. Ella VanWieren and Molly Borski each added 8 to WO’s tally.
