**ARTICLE BY JOSH LONGSTRETH**

**Photo by Lou Murray**

DOUBLE DRIBBLE: GIRLS BASKETBALL RECAP

12/19/2022

  • Forest Hills Eastern was off and running at the Cornerstone University Holiday Tournament as they took down Newaygo, 53-8. The Hawks raced out to a 22-5 advantage in the first quarter really setting the tone in the game. Despite the loss, Newaygo head coach Nathan Thomasma knows he has a young team that keeps improving. “I thought we really played a lot better tonight. We have a young group that is seeing the sustained intensity that is needed to compete at the varsity level against great competition. I’m seeing good things in spurts but we’re still working on being consistent”. Forest Hills Eastern improves to 4-1, while Newaygo moves to 1-4 on the young season. The Hawks were led by sophomore Lily Gleason with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Addi Headworth finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds.
  • Forest Hills Northern made their appearance at the Cornerstone University Holiday Tournament, grabbing a big win over Zeeland East 64-21. The Huskies were led by Abby Sietsema (14 points), Layne Sietsema (12 points), and Trinity Walker (11 points) who all reached double figures on the night. Sophomore Emily Wierenga put together 6 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks for East.
  • Frankenmuth was off and running against Imlay City, taking down the Spartans 67-27. The Lady Eagles got off to a 29-5 run in the game over the previously undefeated Spartans. Frankenmuth sophomore Clare Conzelmann led the way for the victors with 21 points, and 2 steals. The Eagles were helped by Lexi Boyke who did a little of everything putting in 8 points to go with 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks on the night.
  • Gobles defeated Marcellus, 51-17. The Tigers were led by a balcned attack of Erica Barber (12 points, 3 steals), Kylee Killeen (12 points, 3 steals), Kennadi Killeen (11 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals), Deanna Wood (10 points, 5 assists, 3 steals) and Kaya Huizenga (11 rebounds).
  • Morley Stanwood would improve to 5-0 on the season after their thrilling overtime victory over Cadillac, 63-62. Lila Hoisington and Dakota Thompson led the Mohawks with 16 points apiece. Lynsey Biller added 12 points. The Mohawks head into the Holidays with some big momentum.
  • Portland grabbed a win over East Lansing in a defensive battle, 35-28. Malia Thelen led the way for the Raiders with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 steals. Freshman Lilly Thelen finished with 7 points, 5 rebounds and 7 steals. Freshman Kaylee King had an impressive night for the Trojans with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks.

12/20/2022

  • Big Rapids would cruise to a 51-36 win over Alpena. The Cardinals would have a slim 24-21 lead at the half before putting together a big half offensively and defensively. Marissa Warren led all scorers with 17 points and added 9 rebounds in a big for the Cardinals. Rylie Haist was all over with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Reese Wisniewski finished with 8 points and 4 steals for the Wildcats.
  • Edwardsburg would pick up a nice road win over Mattawan, 43-32. Abby Bosler and Averie Markel led the way for the Lady Eddies with 10 points apiece. Bosler added 8 rebounds while Markel added 3 steals.
  • Fennville dropped a close battle with Bangor, 40-43. The Blackhawks fell behind early but were able to mount some momentum to head into the half with a lead. Trailing heading to the 4th quarter, Fennville would keep it tight but it just wouldn’t be enough to get the win. Sophomore Christina Mendoza finished with 12 points and 11 steals on the night. Maddisyn Jefferson added 12 points of her own for the Blackhawks. Fennville head coach Josh Weimer knows he a has group that will bounce back, “Christina Mendoza was amazing tonight. She displayed the best defense I’ve ever seen in high school girls basketball. She is our anchor on defense and her hustle is unmatched. We weren’t at our best from the free throw line tonight, only shooting 8 of 18. We’re capable of shooting better from there. Overall, despite two starters fouling out early in the 4th quarter, and some things being out of our control, I know I have a lot to be thankful for as a coach with this group. I’m looking forward to us bouncing back after the Christmas break”. Fennville will finish the break at 2-4.
  • Glen Lake would jump out to a big lead over Fremont and never look back, cruising to a 61-16 win over the Packers. The Lakers were led by Maddie Bradford with 13 points and 4 steals. Ruby Hogan finished with 12 points, 5 assists and 6 steals. Eleanor Valkner added a solid night with 9 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals.
  • Hamilton would drop their game with Wayland, 46-58. The Hawkeyes move to 3-3 on the season while Wayland improves to 6-2.
  • Hopkins would pick up their 4th win in a row in thrilling fashion, besting Allegan 47-32. The Vikings were down by one at the half but would use a 23-0 to take control of the game. Mady Weber and Nevaeh Helderop both paced Hopkins with 11 points apiece.
  • Kent City would pick up a big win over Hart in a tightly contested battle, 58-52. The Pirates would get off to a slow start before settling in and taking the Eagles right down to the wire. Kent City held a nice lead at the half but Hart would go on a scoring spree in the 3rd quarter to head into the final quarter with the lead. The Eagles would start the 4th quarter with a run of their own and would hold off the visiting Pirates. Maddie Geers led Kent City with 23 points and 7 rebounds. Lexie Bowers added 19 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. Hailey Kamphuis pitched in 11 points and went 3 of 7 from deep range. Addi Hovey finished the night with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Aspen Boutall added 13 points. Abby Hicks put in a great effort with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists.
  • Lowell defeated Jenison, 79-49. Piper Risdon led the way for the Red Arrows with a big 32 points on the night. Lowell will remain perfect on the season at 6-0. They will play on December 30th when they take on Redford Westfield Prep at the Motor City Roundball Classic.
  • Martin dropped a close game to Western Michigan Christian, 31-33. The Clippers would grind this one out but come up just short on a night they were missing their head coach and assistant coach due to sickness. Martin was also down two starters due to injury.Still, with just ten seconds remaining in the game, the Clippers had a good look at the basket but the shot would come up empty as Western Michigan Christian would then run out the clock to give Martin their lone loss on the season. Assistants Heidi Hildebrand and Josh Wedge weren’t worried about the outcome knowing their team battled, “It was a hard and close battle. The girls gave their all. They have a lot of good things coming their way this season if they keep up this level up play”. Macy Thorne and Marybeth Ritchie led the Clippers with 8 points apiece. Ashley Folkema led all scorers in the game with 15 points.
  • Mona Shores pulled out a close battle over Montague, 35-29. This one would be a tight battle in the second half but the Sailors, who were helped by a solid first half, were able to hang on in the game. Mona Shores was led by Khaleeya Cook who finished with 17 points on the night.
  • Ravenna came up short against Manistee, 23-50. A slow start and costly turnovers would put the Bulldogs in a hole that they wouldn’t be able to climb out of. Ravenna would calm things down a bit in the second half and stick with the Chippewas.

12/21/2022

  • Fremont would welcome in visiting Sparta on Wednesday night. They would be unable to hold off the Spartans dropping the game, 35-49. Sparta jumped out to a big early lead and wouldn’t relinquish it holding the Packers at bay for most of the game. Fremont would put together a solid 4th quarter to really build some momentum heading into the Christmas break. The Packers were led by Khaila Noordyk with 12 points and 9 rebounds. Sparta was led by Andrea Peat who finished with 18 points. Makayla Hatchow pitched in with 16 points for the Spartans. Fremont will fall to 1-6 on the season, while Sparta improves to 2-3. Packers head coach Wes Zerlaut was happy with his teams effort despite the loss, “Our effort and energy was greatly improved tonight. We improved throughout the game with our turnovers. The first quarter was a big difference in the game. We had some good offensive possessions in the first but we couldn’t knock any down. I thought we were very solid defensively. We were just 11-55 on the night while they were able to hit seven more field goals on nine less shots”.
  • Forest Hills Eastern would grab a win over Forest Hills Northern at the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament, 51-45. Sophomore Lily Gleason put together her fifth game in a row scoring in double digits scoring 17 points in the game. She would add 10 rebounds and 3 blocks to her effort to win the Blue Division MVP of the tournament.
  • Newaygo would take on Zeeland East at the Cornerstone University Holiday Tournament, falling to the Chix 22-31. Grace Painter led the Lions with 12 points and 6 rebounds. It was a game that was tight throughout with East having just a two point lead at the half. Newaygo would grab the lead in the 3rd quarter before the Chix went on a 7-0 run to lead the rest of the way. Still, Newaygo head coach Nate Thomasma still likes what he is seeing from his team. “I saw a lot of improvement tonight from the previous few games. Offensively, we were able to get good shots and played good defense again. We had some chances but we just couldn’t hit a few late”. Newaygo will fall to 1-5 on the season while Zeeland East will improve to 3-3.

12/22/2022

  • Holland Christian would grab a hard fought victory over Grand Rapids Christian, 42-38. Sophomore Camryn VandenBosch finished the night with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Bria Lampen added 12 points for the Maroons. Calvin commits Katelyn Larue (14 points) and Hannah Sall (10 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals) led the Eagles, respectively.
  • West Catholic would win the championship at the Cornerstone University Holiday Tournament after defeating Rockford, 61-54. Toledo commit Cadence Dykstra led a balanced scoring attack for the Falcons with 14 points and dished out 9 assists. Paige Seely-London finished the night with 12 points on 4 three-pointers. Ellie Bies added 11 points. Becca Tuttle pitched in 10 points. Michigan Tech commit Alyssa Wypych put together a nice night with 19 points and 5 rebounds. Sophomore Anna Wypych added 13 points and 4 steals. Freshman Sienna Wolfe put in 13 points and grabbed 6 rebounds.