Lions Home Opener Lead Fades

Hunter Yearsovich explodes into a wide open lane

With the crowd behind him, Nathan Watson pulls the ball in near the three point line

Photos and story by Alexis Mercer

Just a week prior to the season opener for Newaygo basketball, three of the starting lineup and others on the roster had been suiting up for football practice deep into the playoffs. Seniors Ethan Reyburn, Blake Kerr and Hunter Yearsovich all made the switch from starting with a pigskin to starting with a roundball. So with no break at all and only one week under their belts on the hardwood, the Lions put on the winter uniform and set out to beat Ravenna.

The first half was a track meet with both teams gasping for air in the beginning stages of the season as they ran and ran back and forth down the court. That quick beginning couldn't last, but it was impressive to start.

Ethan Reyburn was rock solid under the basket, consistently creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Isaiah Miedema, new to varsity this year, followed closely behind Reyburn in points on the night.

Despite the early lead the Lions opened up, the Ravenna Bulldogs managed to close the gap, open up their own in the 3rd, and maintain to lead to the buzzer. 

Coach Jason Long said of the game: "Newaygo got off to a solid start but struggled to put the ball in the hoop in the middle two quarters.  Newaygo led 16-15 at half but lost the lead in the third quarter and never got it back losing to Ravenna 40-48.  Newaygo was led in scoring by Ethan Reyburn with 13 points followed by Isaiah Miedema with 12 points.  Blake Kerr led the team with 4 assists and Russell Toth pulled down 10 rebounds in the opener."

Junior Isaiah Miedema scored 12 on the night for the Lions