Lions Defense Clips Cards

Lions Defense Clips Cards
Newaygo 52  Big Rapids 38
Story by Ken DeLaat photos by Alexis Mercer


The Lions came out hitting on all cylinders as they combined great ball movement and a smothering defense to stake a 15-4 lead after one. The Cardinals regrouped a bit in the second pulling within 6 midway through the period but their hosts possess a lot of firepower and after Lily Swinehart split a pair from the line Grace Painter, Isabella Welch and Jaxi Long canned consecutive triples answered by a single BR basket at the buzzer and intermission arrived with Newaygo holding a 27-15 lead.
The Cardinals weren't going to roll over though. There is a lot of talent on the Cardinal team and they came out of the locker room and were not about to make it easy for the Lions. Though the lead rarely got under 10 points the intensity on the floor made it seem like a seesaw battle in overtime. The Cardinals were getting some big buckets from Rylie Haist, Makenna Rautio and Jenna Williams but it wasn’t going to be enough. Emmerson Goodin stole a pass and ran the court for a pair, Swinehart fought for a rebound putting it back up for 2, drew a foul then drained the free throw and after a stop Goodin snared a rebound to score again. The Lions were heading into the 4th up by 15.

But again, the lead seemed irrelevant as the two teams played with stark intensity in the 4th. The game got physical and trips to the charity stripe were frequent. By games end two exhausted teams went down the line with the post game show of sportsmanship. It was interesting to see the way they looked at each other. Both teams knew they had been in a tough fight and both knew they would one day soon meet again and that next matchup would be on the Cardinal home court.
Goodin’s work in the paint continues to deliver for the Lions. Long is a stealth weapon who shook off the tough defense she faced whenever her team needed points and responded with nothing but net. Kayla Fisk is a defensive demon who has refined her game and learned to avoid fouls without losing her aggressive style of play.
Then there are this year’s newcomers to the lineup. Painter’s defense, Swinehart's nose for the ball  and the sweet shot of Welch have added elements to the Lion game and complimented the impressive talents of the three returning starters.
And kudos to the Lion bench who spend their week preparing the starters and stand at the ready to come in when needed.
Coach Thomasma:
"Great team effort tonight for us.  Big Rapids is a very well coached and a great defensive team  and our secondary scorers like Painter, Swinehart and Welch stepped up with some big buckets for us.  Also, I thought we played pretty well defensively.  Painter and Fisk played really solid defensive basketball.  All ten girls had a great week of practice and it showed."
Long led the Lions with 14 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.  Goodin dropped 13 points, grabbed  7 off the glass and nabbed 4 steals.  Lily Swinehart and Grace Painter hit for 8 points apiece.
The Lions (2-0, 4-0) will take part in the Cornerstone Holiday Tournament Monday at 4:45. They will face GR Christian (0-1, 3-1) with the winner to face the survivor of Kent City and Forest Hills Eastern on Wednesday.

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