Roundball Roundup

Girls: Devs, Cloud Post Wins; Pack, Panthers Fall Short
Boys: Lions Stop Wolves; Tigers, Packers, Panthers & Cloud Tagged With Losses

Girls

Cedar Springs 44 Fremont 37
The Packers traveled to Cedar Springs on Tuesday night looking for their first win of the young season, but were turned away in the end with a 44-37 defeat. Things looked good early for Fremont, as they jumped out to an 8-2 lead 3 minutes into the game. However, a 12-0 run to end the quarter put Cedar Springs on top 14-8 after one quarter of play. Cedar Springs held an 8-6 advantage in the 2nd quarter to lead 22-14 at the half. Fremont cut the lead to 28-22 after three quarters. Cedar Springs went on a run to increase the lead to double digits, before the Packers put their own string of offense together to get within 4 points midway through the fourth. However, they could get no closer and the 16-15 fourth quarter advantage for Cedar Springs set the final score. 
Jessica Bennett and Haley Zerlaut each had 11 points for Fremont, while Kaitlynn Bennett had 8 points and 9 rebounds. The Packers were hurt by empty possessions in the fourth quarter due to turnovers, and the Red Hawks controlled the defensive glass late in the game. 
Cedar Springs was led by Jesse Patin's 14 points, while Darrah Miller added 10. 
The Packers host Central Montcalm on Friday.
 
Holton 32  Holland Black River 9
The Red Devils shook off last week’s pair of losses and evened their season record at 2-1 with a convincing road win over the Rats. The visitors dominated play from the opening tip flying to a 19-1 lead after the first quarter and went cruising into intermission up 24-2.
Coach  Jordan: “After two tough losses getting this win and back to even on the season at 2-2 is something we needed to do.  We made a few small strides tonight, we moved better on defense and executed at times on offense well, we just missed a ton of shots, but we were getting good looks and we will take that, shots will eventually fall.
“Big game for us on Friday against White Cloud, I know our best basketball is still ahead of us... we just need to build off of this win and keep improving.”

Fruitport Calvary 43 Hesperia 31
Emmet Tinkham  knocked down 18 points and took down 8 rebounds but it wasn’t enough to overcome a determined Eagle squad who went on a dominating fourth quarter run to capture the win.
Down 27-21 entering the final frame the Eagle offense kicked into high gear scoring more in the 4th than their offense produced in the first 3 quarters.
And the Panthers could not stop them.
Coach Grodus: “Our young team continues to experience growing pains. The 4th quarter proved to be the difference.”
Emma Joppich finished with 9 points for the Panthers, now 0-2 on the young season.

Boys

Whitehall 63 Fremont 48
Coach Bowen:
“Whitehall came out hot and shot the ball well in the first half.  Our defense was not good in the first half, especially the first quarter.  We made it close in the third quarter but we just could not make enough shots against their zone.  
“Jordon McDonald had another strong game with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals.  Gavin Richards had his second good game in a row with 9 points and 10 rebounds.”

Oakridge 66 Grant 45.
The cold shooting Tigers lost to Oakridge, 45-66.  The Tigers stayed within striking distance at half, trailing 27-32 and at the end of the 3rd, 39-46.  But, the host pulled away in the fourth.
Eight players scored with Seth Schuitema leading with 20.  Mason Woodard added 6, Zak Barnhart and Giovanni Follador chipped in 5 each.

Mason County Central 57 White Cloud 33
The Spartans put an end to the Cloud’s 2 game win streak with a solid win over the hosts
Coach Smith:“We took one on the chin tonight. We just couldn't get on track tonight and struggled from the opening tip.” 
Taylor Bode scored 12 points, Sal Saavedra-mena added 6,while Tray Brunson contributed  5 and Wes Penland 4. 
 
Fruitport Calvary 70  Hesperia 19
The Eagles outscored the visiting Panthers 50-10 in the first half and coasted to the win
Coach Worcester: “Fruitport Calvary has a great team. We knew coming into this game it would be tough. Our guys committed to giving our team everything they had and I’m happy with that. Once we get our 2 starters back in the line up who missed tonight's game we can get back on track.
Gabe Gould led the Panthers in scoring with 5 points
 
Monday’s Games
 Boys
 Newaygo 71 Wellspring Prep 61
Newaygo pulled out a 10 point victory over visiting Wellspring Prep.  The Wolves fell behind but continued to battle until the buzzer sounded.  Newaygo played solid defense and used timely runs to pull out the win.  The Lions (2-1) played a steady game and spread the scoring out between several players.  Josiah Long led the team with 26 points (14/15 from the line) and added 4 assists and 5 rebounds, Bryce Decker) added 17 points and 11 rebounds and 3 assists, Jaden Osawabin had 10 points, Dyllan Bazzett netted 9 points and Grant Harkness recorded 5 rebounds.  
 
Girls
White Cloud 51 Walkerville 10
Coach Wilk: "Tonight we put together our best game yet. Defensively we were sound. On offense almost everyone scored. Leading the way with 15 points was Abby Derks. Gaby Reeve added 11 points, and Jaden Gomez chipped in 8.
"As a coach it makes me happy that when we emphasize something in practice it carries over to the game. With that being said we will get back to the drawing board and prepare for Holton on Friday."

Packer photos by Renee Hanshue