Girls Hoops: “Hawks Clip Cloud, Vikes Sail By Lions, Eagles Fly Past Panthers, Devs Nip ‘Cats

2/22/2020

By Ken DeLaat

Morley Stanwood 43 White Cloud 25
Morley Stanwood is a good team. A very good team.
Ok, they may not be able to beat the powerhouse of the Silver known as the Eagles (currently ranked #8 in D3), and there was that recent loss in Newaygo but beyond those games they have mostly dominated opponents. Only 2 teams they have beaten have come within 10 points, a 5 point win over the state ranked Trojans of Lake City…
And White Cloud.
The Cloud was at home with a large supportive crowd and got off to a quick start as Olivia Bowman opened the scoring by canning one from distance then after a stop Carsyn Scarlavai drew a foul and converted both shots to deliver a 5-0 lead.
But it was early. After a Brooke Brauher free throw Breanna Berry took over for the Hawks to find her way to the bucket three times in a row then answered a Bowman 2 to give MS a 9-7 edge after one.
The second saw the visitors come out like gangbusters as Kalee Ramsey, Braelyn Berry and Brauher each scored followed by a Ramsey triple and the lead went to double digits. Alexis Strait fired in a 3 but Hailey Dard scored twice and after an exchange of baskets the teams went to break with the ‘Hawks up 23-12.
In the second Cassie Watson followed an MS basket with a triple to cut the lead to 9. It was the last time the Cloud would be within double figures.
When Abby Derks hit 3-4 from the line in the late third and ewrly 4th it cut the lead to 11 but Ramsey rained in a pair of triples that sealed the game and gave MS a season sweep.
Give the WC team credit, they gave it all they had and fought for every possession but the ‘Hawks were able to control the glass most of the night and hit their shots when needed.
Next week the Cloud will host Ravenna and travel to Lakeview while MS brings in Evart and Hesperia.
Then it’s tourney time and should Morley get past Holton as expected these two teams will face off once again for the likely opportunity to take on their hosts.
Kent City.

Tri County 64 Newaygo 52
Following a week that delivered a pair of close, gut wrenching losses at home the Lions traveled to Tri County to try and shake off those losses and get back on the winning track. The Vikes had played them close on the Lion court last month and came into the game riding a 5 game winning streak.
Make it 6.
"We really did not do anything well tonight and a lot of that had to do with Tri-County,” said Coach Thomasma. “ They came out ready to play and played an excellent game. We need to regroup and get better this last week of the season before District play."
Varsity newcomer Kayla Fisk dropped in 7 points and provided some inspired defensive play with 4 steals while Emmerson Goodin hauled down 9 boards and scored 8 points. Jaxi Long paced the scoring with 13 points while dishing 5 dimes and Jaylee Long led in assists with a half dozen hitting for 11 points as well.
Newaygo hosts Grant and Reed City next week before getting ready for their first tourney game, a third go-round with the Packers at Fremont and Tri County finish their regular season with a visit to Fremont and a visit from CM before prepping for their post season opener against Comstock Park, also at Fremont.

Kent City 71 Hesperia 35
The Eagles rained down 29 first quarter points to take a commanding 23 point lead after one and by the break the lead had pushed to 30.
Kenzie Bowers put on a sharpshooting show knocking down 9 triples enroute to a 29 point performance while Joan Carr hit for 13 and Jenna Harrison dropped in 9.
Coach Grodus: “We improved from our last performance against Kent City. Kent City is a well coached, athletic team. They played very well tonight.”
Emily Bayle paced the Panther scoring matching 13 points to her 13 rebounds and Emmi Tinkham equalled her 10 boards with 10 points
Hesperia (4-5, 8-9) will be on the road for 3 games next week at Shelby, North Muskegon and Morley Stanwood before heading to postseason play and the winner of Kent City/ Ravenna.

Holton 36 Lakeview 32
The Red Devils picked up their first conference win and first road win by defeating the Wildcats in Lakeview.
Holton was down 6-2 at the end of the first quarter before Gianna Reed came off the bench in the second quarter and hit two huge baskets to jump start the offense and the Devs pulled into intermission with a 19-19 tie.
A hard fought third ended with Holton holding a tight 27-26 lead and they were able to hold off the Wldcats for the win. Madi Bosset and Kennedy Greene went a combined 7/9 from the line late to seal the win.
Coach Mason:”Defensively our girls knew they couldn’t get in foul trouble or we would be in for a long night they did really well keeping their feet moving instead of reaching.”