Girls Big Rapids 8-1, 14-1 at Newaygo 6-3, 11-4 This game is huge. The Cards are tied atop the Gold with Fremont and Newaygo is surging. First time around in BR the Lions kept it close but the size of the Cardinals was a factor and they play a physical game.Mackall and Haist can fill it up but there is talent up and down their bench with several role players who help out the scorers. The Lions added Kayla Fisk to the roster a player who will provide some needed inside strength and should help contain the Cardinal game in the paint. The Long sisters, Frisbie, Goodin and co. need to hit some buckets early and often. BR has only allowed over 40 points twice, their opener against a strong McBain team and a shootout win over TC a couple of weeks ago. Newaygo needs to pile on some points and hope their defense contains a relentless Cardinal squad. Should the Lions get to 50 I believe they are likely to win. I’ll be the old guy sitting underneath the basket for this one. Fremont 8-1,10-5 at Central Montcalm 5-4, 9-6 Don’t pay attention to the four losses the Hornets have on their league record. They’re not last years version who rolled over everyone in their path but they are still a dangerous team who are capable of taking control of a game and face consecutive games against the conference co-leaders with a chip on their shoulders. When Newaygo beat them Tuesday it was their first loss at home since two weeks before Christmas. Shriver, Miller and Jamieson put on a defensive clinic the last time they faced off to contain Vissman and Eldridge while Vandenberg and Bennett spurred a second half comeback. That comeback happened in front of a raucous Fremont home crowd. Should the Packers fall behind again the Hornets have home court this time and they don’t yield many leads in the Nest. Chippewa Hills 0-9, 3-12 at Grant 4-5, 4-11 The Tigers snapped a 6 game skid with a win over the Coyotes. This one should make it two in a row since the Warriors are having a hard time on defense and Throop, Arends, Passage, Rider, and Doornbos should be able to outscore the visitors. White Cloud 4-3, 10-6 at Holton 0-7, 3-12 Not even close I fear. Coach Mason is building a program but there are not near the horses available to him to keep up with Bowman, Strait, and the ever present Scarlavai. Lakeview 1-6, 1-15 at Hesperia 3-4, 6-8 The Panthers have Tinkham in the middle, Castillo dishing out assists and Bayle who could drop a couple dozen on the Wildcats if she gets hot. Panthers bench should get some play. Boys Big Rapids 5-4, 8-5 at Newaygo 3-6, 4-9 Tha Cards are one of those enigmatis teams. Their loss to Grant last month dropped them to 4-5 and in all likelihood removed then from the conference race. Since then they have peeled off 4 in a row including victories over Fremont and OV who beat Fremont earlier that week. The Lions aren’t a powerhouse by any means but they have a lot of grit and their coach as we have said before is perhaps one of the best bench coaches around and gets all he can out of his players. All things equal the Cards have more talent and are on a roll but the Lions have gone 3-1 at home and will not back down. The home team may not win this one but the Cards are going to know they were in a game. Fremont 8-1,12-3 at Central Montcalm 7-2, 9-4 All things considered the Packers should make some room between them and the Hornets here but they are in Stanton where the Hornets are 6-1 and their fan base, like that of their girls team, is pretty inspiring. The Pack took them out early at home but since then the only CM losses since have been to a Tiger team beginning to peak and a really tough Alma team...both on the road. The Pack will need all the scoring Kennedy, Campbell, Moon,McDonald,and the rest can give them because they are likely to require 70+ in this one. Chippewa Hills 1-8, 3-10 at Grant 7-2, 7-7 The Warriors will likely get taken out early. They simply cannot score enough to keep up with a Tiger team that has more weapons than CH can defend. Not saying an upset couldn’t happen but the likelihood is right up there with a Lion appearance in next years Super Bowl. White Cloud 3-4, 6-8 at Holton 4-3, 9-6 The Red Devils are the best team in the Silver not named Morley Stanwood or Kent City. The Cloud has improved dramatically from last year but they still lose games they shouldn’t and let teams they should beat hang around too long. The Devs took this one with a second half of significant bench play first time around. Not much has changed. Holton and WC are heading for a brutal district come tournament time and they will likely be a first round matchup should all things remain consistent. Lakeview 1-6, 4-11 at Hesperia 0-7, 0-16 I love the attitude of Coach Worcester who despite a season of futility realizes the effort his team is putting on the floor each game. This might be their best shot at a win this season and if not the season ending game with Shelby might be another but kudos to this team and their coach. Its not easy to win any basketball game even with a great deal of talent and it’s tough to coach any team but when you have a season like this the challenge is to stay upbeat and recognize the efforts put out game after game by these young athletes. To his credit and with all my respect, Coach W. has done so. Go Panthers! By Ken DeLaat
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
April 2024
Categories |