Girls BB: Close in the Cloud, Lions Win, Pack Falls Short

White Cloud 37 Grant 36
The Tigers started out on fire building  an early lead and holding a 15-9 edge at the break, but the hosts fought their way back and the second half turned into a seesaw battle. With Grant holding a 3 point lead and 12 ticks on the clock Emily Hodges delivered the goods for the Cloud with a 3 pointer to tie.
Carsyn Scarlavai then pulled off a steal and was fouled in the ensuing scramble,splitting  a pair at the line to give White Cloud the win.
Olivia Bowman led the hosts with 10 points and 5 rebounds and Emily Hodges came off the bench  to pull down 6 boards and drop in 9 points.Scarlavai finished with 6 points and 3 steals. Tiger Kirstyn Throop led all scores with 16. 
Coach Brown: “I’m extremely happy with our never give up, grind it out, physical game,”
Coach Paulson: "Great game to start the season off. I thought we played some excellent defense and gave great intensity. Turnovers and missed shots were too much to overcome and White Cloud capitalized on the opportunities. 
“Both teams were tough and physical, White Cloud made plays down the stretch."
Grant will host Cedar Springs Friday while White Cloud visits Central Montcalm.

Newaygo 51 Whitehall 35
The Lions hit halftime holding a 3 point lead but they came out of the locker room on fire defensively and pulled  away from the Vikings by hitting some key free throws down the stretch.
Jaxi Long led the Lions with 14 points and 4 rebounds while  Emmerson Goodin, Lily Ruehmeier and Jaylee Long each canned 11. Goodin also pulled down a team high 9 boards. 
Newaygo shot 14-17 from the  line which helped them ice the game in the 4th quarter.
 Coach Thomasma: "It was a physical basketball game tonight.  I thought both teams fought through some opening night jitters and played a good game.  Whitehall is a good basketball team and we are happy to get out of their with a win. Proud of the girl's effort and energy tonight."
Newaygo hits the road again next week with a Wednesday game in Cedar Springs.

Montague 48  Fremont 45
The Packers battled the Wildcats to a 15 all tie after one but hit intermission down 5 and trailed by as much as 11 in the fourth quarter. They were able to fight their way back into the game and were down just 3 in the closing seconds with possession but could not get off a good shot and fell short in the opener.
Paige Vandenberg picked up where she left off last season pulling 10 off the glass, dropping in 15 and rejecting a quartet of Wildcat shots. Natalie Jamieson hit for 9 points and Haley Zerlaut fired in 8.  
While the Packers outshot the Cats from the field 16-12 Montague’s 7 three-pointers and advantage from the free throw line proved to be the difference.
The Packers head for Spring Lake Thursday to face an old rival from their days together in the Lakes 8.
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Walkerville 59 Hesperia 51
The Panthers dug a 12-0 hole at the start before battling their way back behind a dynamic 28 point performance by Emily Bayle. The teams played even the final 3 stanzas but Hesperia could not overcome the early deficit and the Wildcats held home court with the win.
Coach Grodus:“It was an uphill battle to overcome our slow start. With just one returning varsity player, gaining game experience at the varsity level is job one for us.”
Emmi Tinkham took charge on the boards pulling down 13 and Becky Castillo hit for 10 points.
Bayle also provided some wizardry on defense finishing with 7 steals.
The Panthers open their home season next Tuesday when they welcome in the Pirates of Hart
Holton 28 Wellspring Prep 27 (OT)