Friday Hoops Preview

Mystery Ref hoping for a District assignment

Lions at home while Tigers and Pack hit the road

By Ken DeLaat
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Girls

Reed City (4-7)  at Newaygo (8-2)
The ‘Yotes have won 2 in a row for the first time this season but the Wildcats and Vikings are not the caliber a team as the Lions.It’s the second time around for these two teams and if the Reed City couldn’t beat the Lions on their home court they will struggle to even the series in the Lions Den. Newaygo has lost just one game since dropping their opener and it was against a Big Rapids team that has beaten up on the other CSAA-Red teams. Reed City is not Big Rapids. Not even close. 
This might be a play-in game come tourney time when the Lions and Coyotes head for a Fremont District that is absolutely loaded.

Grant (5-6) at Tri County (2-8)
The 2 Viking wins came against teams with a collective record of 3-17. The Tigers have won 3 out of 4 and in the loss to Big Rapids they held the lead for most of the game. Grant has yet to find their go-to shooter although one could make a case forGee who played an outstanding game against the Cardinals and looks like she is gaining confidence. I can;t see the Tigers losing this one and with 2 tough games ahead they need a win here. 

Fremont (9-2) at Pine River (5-6)
The Packers didn;t take long to erase the Evart game as they pounded Lakes Division rival Manistee. Friday they face another Highland Conference team in the Bucks.Pine River is not the elite team Evart is but they have played well against a brutal schedule and can’t be taken lightly. The Pack will be ready for this one and should come home with a win. 

Boys

Grant (10-2) at Tri County (3-10)
The streak ended at 10. After losing twice in a row to teams from the River Cities Alliance (Sparta and Cedar) Coach George spoke to the need for his team to get better before Districts. Well, Sparta is one of the top teams in that District as is Forest Hills Eastern who beat Cedar Springs a couple days before Grant lost to the Red Hawks. 
Friday they play the Vikings, a team they beat by 42 points early on. Look for the scoring to return for the Tigers and likely a lot of court time for the bench. TC doesn’t have the horses to stay in this one for long.

Reed City (3-11) at Newaygo (5-6)
So which team shows up for Newaygo? They have had an up and down season and should have a good shot here but they will have to score early and often because teams put up a lot of points on the Lion defense. 

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