Lions Start Season with Win

Lions Start Season with Win
Photos and story by Alexis Mercer

The first points of the girls basketball season for 2023 for the Newaygo Lions were scored by Naomi Schillman: a smooth 3 point from the corner. And off they went.

Amaya Lathrop got fouled on a 3 point of her own and made one to go to 4 points to Montague’s 6 with 4:45 left in the first quarter.

Maria Riddering started her scoring for her senior year with a nice move for 2 points. Kija Westbrook earned her first 2 before the end of the first and the Lions were up 8-7 at the end of the quarter.

It was a long stretch in the beginning of the 2nd quarter before either team found the bottom of the net.

But finally with 2:32 left in the half, Lily Holmes earned her first Varsity points of her career to make the score 10-12. Westbrook capitalized on the solid Lions defense, grabbing a steal and making a layup to end the quarter. The Lions were down 12-15 at the buzzer.

Both teams came out aggressively in the second half.

Amaya Lathrop first scored from either team 2:30 into the 3rd quarter to go to 14-15. And then the turning point of the entire game was when Gracie Bazzett came in and dropped a stone cold 3 with a defender in her face. The bench went wild and the Lions were a changed team.

Westbrook hit a 3 out of a timeout and to end the 3rd, the Lions were up 20-19. They didn’t look back after this.

The 4th quarter started with a Westbrook steal and a layup. 

Then it was Maria Riddering’s turn to light the court on fire. She dropped a 2 off Lathrop’s dish, followed by a 3 and another 2 a few seconds later. 

To end the game the Lions had 34 and the Wildcats 23.

​From Coach Thomasma: Kija Westbrook led the Lions with 11 points and 6 rebounds.  Maria Riddering had 9 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals.  Naomi Schillman chipped in 6 points!

Newaygo plays on Friday night at home next.