**ARTICLE BY JOSH LONGSTRETH**

DOUBLE DRIBBLE: GIRLS BASKETBALL DISTRICT RECAPS 3/5/2023

2/27/2023

  • East Grand Rapids cruised to a 65-50 win over Wyoming in their district opener. The Pioneers will move on to play Wednesday night. Miss Basketball finalist Macy Brown led the way for East with 32 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals. Reagan Weaver added 13 points and 5 rebounds. Claire Weaver finished with 7 points and 5 rebounds. With the loss the Wolves will finish their season at 12-11.
  • Fremont put together an impressive performance in their win over Newaygo, defeating the Lions 46-29. The Packers move on to play Montague on Wednesday. Newaygo will have to replace key pieces Grace Painter and Barbara Toth but the Lions return a lot of talent for next year.
  • Grand Haven beat Mona Shores, 41-24. The Bucs will move on to play Muskegon on Wednesday night. With the loss the Sailors finish their season at 12-11. Mona Shores will have many returning next season including Khaleeya Cook, Sophomore Logan Clausen, Freshman Laynie Russell and Sophomore Katie Phillips.
  • Grandville pulled off a monumental upset over West Ottawa, defeating the Panthers 47-45. Grandville was able to jump on West Ottawa early in this one as they led 20-6 after one quarter of play. Olivia McKellar was big for the Bulldogs with 16 points. Tessa Gregwer added 12. Gabby Reynolds led West Ottawa with 22. The Panthers season ends at 16-7 but they will return leaders Reynolds and Chelsea Overbeek next season.
  • Greenville fell to Forest Hills Central, 42-52. The Jackets finish the season at 10-13 overall on the year. Alexus Dunn had a big night to pace Greenville with 15 points. Megan Leslie added 13. Annabelle Willhite pitched in 8. The Jackets will have some key pieces to replace but they will return plenty of pieces as well in Dunn, Willhite and Freshman Alix Court.
  • Hamilton advanced to the district-semis with their win over Allegan, topping the Tigers 62-30.
  • Jenison knocked off Zeeland East in their conference opener, 41-27. The Wildcats will move on to play on Wednesday. The Chix finish their season at 6-17.
  • Lawton battled back from a halftime deficit pick up a win over Galesburg Augusta, 45-39. Kenna Macon led the Lady Blue Devils with 20 points (10 in the 4th) and 8 steals. Kenzee Terpstra added 12 points. Lawton has now won three in a row as they move on to play Wednesday.
  • Lowell picked up a district opening win over Cedar Springs, 68-20. Braxcynn Baker led the way for the Lady Red Arrows with 24 points on the night. Piper Risdon was big with 15 of her own. Taryn Jackson added 11 points. The win will give Lowell a chance to play again on Wednesday night.
  • Loy Norrix fell to Stevensville Lakeshore, 42-52. Kennedy Lockett led the Knights with 13 points. Loy Norrix finishes 9-12 on the season with big improvement from their group. Lockett will return as the Knights continue their upward trajectory in 2023-24.
  • NorthPointe Christian moves on in their district opener, cruising to a 60-7 win over Wellspring Prep. They will move on to the District Semifinal on Wednesday night.
  • Zeeland West defeated Holland, 47-23. Kara Bartels and Lindy Gulker led the Dux with 13 points apiece. Jordyn Klaasen added 11. West moves on to play Wednesday night. The Dutch will finish their season at 3-19.

3/1/23

  • East Grand Rapids came up short against Byron Center, 39-63. The Pioneers will end their season at 15-9. With the loss the illustrious career will end for Macy Brown as she will move on to play at the next level with Michigan. East will also lose key pieces in Claire Weaver and Jasmine Honicutt. The Bulldogs will improve to 20-3 as they now have a shot at a district title on Friday.
  • Edwardsburg opened up districts with a win over Benton Harbor, 53-43. Kenzie Schaible led the Lady Eddies with 15 points (5 three-pointers). Caitlin Tighe was big on both sides of the ball with 13 points and 8 steals. Chloe Baker added 12 points. Averie Markel pitched in 7 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Edwardsburg is now 16-7 on the season.
  • Gobles beat Hartford, 52-36. Deanna Wood (18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals) and Kennadi Killeen (15 points, 5 rebounds) led the way for the Tigers. Kaya Huizenga helped with 10 points. Gobles will play Friday night for a district title.
  • Hamilton put together an impressive win over Wayland grabbing a 45-49 win over the Wildcats. The Hawkeyes held 17-5 Wayland to just 12 points in the first half. Hamilton would trail 32-30 to start the 4th before a Taylor VanderZwaag three-pointer would give the Hawkeyes the lead for good. Wayland would keep it close the rest of the way but timely free-throws and rebounding secured the Hamilton win. The Hawkeyes look for a district title on Friday.
  • Ionia won a district semifinal over Lakewood, 54-51. Aubree White led the Bulldogs with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Lexi Daugherty added 12 points of her own. Ionia will play on Friday for a chance at a district championship.
  • Kalamazoo Central improved to 19-1 on the season as they won their district semifinal over Mattawan, 70-59. They have a shot at a district title on Friday.
  • Kent City picked up a win in their District semifinal over Holton, 49-22. Madelyn Geers led the Eagles with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 8 steals. Lexie Bowers had a big night with 16 points and 3 steals. Kent City jumped out to an early 26-12 lead to control much of the game.
  • Lake City picked up a gritty win over McBain, 39-31. Alie Bisballe had a big night to lead the Trojans with 16 points and 9 rebounds. Kenzie Bisballe added 10 points and 5 rebounds. Lake City will play for a district title on Friday as they improve to 22-1.
  • Lawton would have their season come to an end at the hands of Schoolcraft, 25-35. The Lady Blue Devils put together an impressive season as they picked up their most wins in a season in over a decade. McKenna Macon paced Lawton with 13 points. Kenzee Terpstra pitched in 8 points. The Blue Devils will have to replace Western Michigan bound Macon but will return a lot in hopes to put together another successful season next year.
  • Lowell secured a district championship spot as they beat Forest Hills Northern, 59-40. Braxcynn Baker led the Lady Red Arrows with 24 points. Piper Risdon added 17 big points of her own. Taryn Jackson pitched in 9 points. Lowell will play in the district final on Friday.
  • Ludington fell to Cadillac, 43-26. The Orioles had to dig themselves out of an early hole as they trailed 14-27 at the half. Ludington would cut the lead to just two possessions late in the 3rd. The Vikings would put a 6-0 run together to get the lead back up to double digits and that would be it as the Cadillac offense really slowed the pace to cruise the rest of the way. Emma McKinley led the Orioles with 9 points. Cadillac was paced by Reina McMahon and Jazmin Angell who each finished with 11 points apiece. The Vikings will look for a district title on Friday.
  • Mason County Central cruised to a 54-29 win over White Cloud to win their district semifinal matchup. The Spartans Wren Nelson led all scorers with 18 points and would grab 10 rebounds on the night. Gaby Reeve led the Indians with 11 points.
  • Montague advanced to the district championship by knocking off Fremont, 34-22. Emma Peterson led the Wildcats 15 points and 3 steals.
  • Muskegon advanced to the district finals with their win over Grand Haven, 49-37. The Lady Reds improve to 16-7 and have now won 5 in a row. With the loss the Bucs will end their season at 13-10. They have some interesting pieces returning in Sophomore Gillian Sorrelle and Emerson Berndt to be a team to watch for next season.
  • North Muskegon fell to Western Michigan Christian, 36-64. Grace Philpot led the Norse with 11 points. Marilyn Gaston added 9 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Fran Vinson finished with 8 points and 2 steals. Despite the loss North Muskegon head coach Sarah Knuth was proud of her team this season, “Our team never quit. They gave full effort through the frustrations, and I am very proud of them”. The Norse finish the season at 5-16, Philpot and Gaston return next year as two leaders for North Muskegon.
  • NorthPointe Christian pulled out a tough battle over Calvin Christian, 48-45. The 16-7 Mustangs will have a chance at a district title on Friday. The Squires will end their season at 15-7.
  • Portland advances to a district final as they get past Hastings, 35-22. Paige Spedoske led the Raiders with 10 points. This was a defensive battle throughout as Portland held a slim 12-8 lead at the half. The Raiders take the court again on Friday.
  • Rockford cruised past Forest Hills Central, 69-44. With the win the Rams have now won 17 in a row as they move on to play in the District Championship on Friday. Rockfords lone loss has been to a West Catholic team who remains undefeated as the Rams lost by just 7-points to them.
  • South Christian defeated Kelloggsville, 42-16. They’ll move to 15-8 as they move on with a right to play for a district title on Friday.
  • Spring Lake put together a win over Unity Christian, 53-46. With the win the Lakers advance to the district championship on Friday night.
  • Vicksburg was off and running in the district semifinal to take down Marshall, 53-30. The Lady Bulldogs jumped out to a 23-2 lead in the first quarter. Vicksburg plays for a shot at a district title on Friday.
  • West Catholic continues their dominant ways in a win over Forest Hills Eastern, 61-31. The undefeated Falcons will move on for a chance at a district title on Friday night.
  • Whitehall pulled out a nail-biter over Grant, 33-32. The Vikings held a 21-13 lead at the half as their defense kept the Tigers offense in check in the 2nd half. Whitehall will have a chance at a district title on Friday. Onnyka Dempsey led the Vikings with 11 points. Julie Ashbaugh led Grant with 14. Ashbaugh will return to lead a Tigers team that finishes 14-8 on the season.

3/3/23

  • Big Rapids defeated Cadillac 46-37, as they grab a district crown and improve to 22-2 on the season. The Vikings finish their season at 9-16.
  • Edwardsburg grabs a 2023 District Title as they defeat Dowagiac, 42-22. Kenzie Schaible led the Lady Eddies with 12 points. Averie Markel was big on the night with 11 points and 16 rebounds. Caitlin Tighe pitched in 8 points and 4 steals. Edwardsburg sits at 17-7 on the season.
  • Hamilton fell to Holland Christian, 29-38. The Hawkeyes will finish the season at 17-8. Hamilton will lose a lot of contributors from this team but expect a program that has been successful over the last decade. The Maroons impressive season will continue as they open up regionals on Tuesday.
  • Hart wrapped up a District Championship as they knocked off a game Mason County Central team, 43-34. These two are no stranger to each other being in the same conference and have met in three of the last five district finals. The Pirates grabbed some momentum early by taking a 7-0 lead. They led 12-4 after one but the Spartans would go on a 10-0 run to tie things up at 14-apiece. Hart would still lead 20-16 after one half of play. Mason County Central would hit some big shots in the 3rd quarter to hold a four-point advantage heading to the 4th. Hart would take a 38-34 late and put the game away from the free-throw line to seal the win. Abby Hicks led all scorers with 13 points. Aspen Boutell added 11 points. Addi Hovey finished with 10 points and added 13 rebounds. Wren Nelson led the Spartans with 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Mallory Miller finished with 9.The Pirates will move on to take on a solid NorthPointe Christian team on Tuesday. The two are slated for a 5:30 start at Shelby High School.
  • Jenison secured their first district title in over 20 years by defeating Hudsonville, 36-35. Terin Maynard would hit the game-winning layup with just 15 seconds left to go in the game. Their ‘Cinderella Story’ will continue when they play in the regional opener on Tuesday. The Eagles will finish the season at 17-7 as their 8-year district championship run comes to an end.
  • Kalamazoo Christian secured a District Championship by winning a tight battle over Schoolcraft, 38-34. The Comets have now won 7 in a row as they improve to 21-3 on the season. They begin regionals on Tuesday.
  • Kent City picked up a win over Morley Stanwood to secure a District Championship, defeating the Mohawks 49-45. Lexie Bowers (17 points, 7 rebounds) and Hailey Kamphuis (16 points) led the Eagles. Savannah Miller finished with 10. Kent City got off to a quick start in this one as they held a 20-11 halftime advantage. The Eagles take their 20-4 record into regionals on Tuesday.
  • Lake City grabbed a district final win over Evart, 43-35. Kenzie Bisballe had a monster night to lead the Trojans with 23 points and 17 rebounds. Alie Bisballe was big with a near triple-double finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 9 blocks. This would be the first time in 47 seasons that Lake City has won both a conference championship and district championship in the same year. They’ll look to add more to that as they open up regionals on Tuesday.
  • Martin lost a tough battle to Hackett Prep, 21-25. Martin head coach Ben Schipper says this one will sting for a while but is beyond proud of his team, “We thought we had control for the most part until late in the third quarter when their press gave them some momentum. I’m so proud of our girls for the amazing season we had. We ended 18-5 overall and 10-0 in the division. I’m so thankful for the years I had with our three seniors and I look forward to what this group of returners will do next year”. The Clippers will look to be a force again next year as they return Avery Jager, Makala Goddard, and Elizabeth Reinke. The Irish will move on with a chance to take on Fruitport Calvary Christian on Tuesday with a 5:45 start time at New Buffalo High School. They have won 3 in a row as they sit at 16-8 on the year.
  • Montague lost a heart-breaker to Whitehall, 31-26. The Wildcats season comes to an end as they finish 16-8. Montague will have a lot to replace in Emma Peterson and Haylee Schwarz but will return a lot with much of their roster intact as the Wildcats could be in store for big things next season. This was a defensive battle throughout as Montague held just a 16-14 lead at the half.
  • Muskegon cruised into regionals with a win over Kenowa Hills, 70-41. Freshman Mariah Sain led the Lady Reds with 22 points on the night. Ty’Veonna Davis was big with 19 points of her own. Sophomore Bre’Asia Gamble Jones added 14 points. The Knights trailed just 20-28 at the half before Muskegon put together a big 2nd half. They’ll improve to 17-7 with the district championship win.
  • NorthPointe Christian took home a District Championship as they knock off Potter’s House Christian, 41-24. The Mustangs improve to 17-7 and will have a chance to keep moving along as they start regional play on Tuesday.
  • Plainwell secured a district title in their win over Otsego, 51-41. The Bulldogs finish their season at 12-11. Otsego cut what was a 14-point lead all the way down to just 1-point but the Bulldogs would hold off the charge. Maddie Elkins led the Wildcats with 10 points on the night. Hannah Fitz added 8 points and 7 rebounds. Olivia Dennis pitched in 8 points and 8 rebounds. The Trojans are finding their stride at the right time as they have now won 5 in a row.
  • Portland had their defense come up big by knocking off Ionia, 45-26. The win gives the Raiders their 4th District Championship in a row. They would hold a solid 20-13 lead at the half and cruised to a big 2nd half en route to the win. They’ll have a chance to keep things rolling on Tuesday in a regional opener.
  • Rockford picked up their 4th district championship en route to a win over Lowell, 71-35. The Rams we’re lead by Alysha Wypych with 21, Grace Lyons with 20 and Anna Wypych with 11.  The Rams improve to 23-1 on the season. The Lady Red Arrows will finish their season at 18-7.  Rockford has now won 18 in a row as they have cruised past most teams they’ve played since their lone loss in late December.  They will head to the Regionals at Mona Shores on Tues. to take on Jenison.
  • South Catholic had their season come to an end as they fell to Grand Rapids Christian, 41-49. The Sailors will end their season at 16-8. With the win the Eagles improve to 18-5 as they will take a district title in tow to Comstock Park where they open up regional play on Tuesday.
  • Spring Lake fell in a tough matchup to Allendale, 23-27. The Lakers were led by Alexa Carter and Tessa Britt with 8 points each. Carter added 8 rebounds to her night. Spring Lake head coach Richard Hyde had a message to his out-going seniors, “It’s always hard losing seniors. We thank both Noor Baria and Emma Nicles for the contributions they have made to our team this year and wish them the best of luck as they move on to their next journey”. The Lakers will finish their season at 11-11. Spring Lake will be a team to watch next year as they return Carter, Ellie Wrona (Sophomore), Ella Andree, Brooke Bolthouse and Britt (Sophomore).
  • West Catholic rolled past Grand Rapids Catholic Central, 67-49. The win keeps the Falcons undefeated on the year as they now have a district title in tow for it. A big 2nd half propelled West Catholic as they held just a 39-30 lead after one half of play. They’ll have a chance to keep things rolling when they open regionals on Tuesday.