Sparta Ends Grant’s Season

Story and photos by Mike Gesler

Sparta 67   Grant 30
Sparta obviously came into tonight’s game with one goal; to make a statement. That statement was that this year the District championship runs through them, and not Newaygo. So while the Newaygo girls watched from the bleachers, Sparta put on a high tempo, extreme pressure clinic using Grant as their victim. Both Grant and Sparta played a similar game, however Sparta played the game that much better than Grant, and there wasn’t much the Tigers could do to stop the Spartans.

“I am beyond impressed with Sparta,” stated Josh Delamater, Grant’s Coach. “They were by far the most physical, and by far the most tempo setting team that we’ve seen all season. They bring it. And if they bring it like that on Friday night, whoever wins here [Newaygo or Fremont] is going to struggle. I mean it will be a game.”

The Tigers were only six behind the Spartans at the end of the first quarter, but during the second quarter, Chloee Chase went down with an apparent ankle injury that would sideline her for the rest of the game. Without Chase, the Tigers were forced to adjust in ways they simply were not prepared to do, at least not in a District game against a very formidable opponent. Couple that with the Spartans holding the Tigers scoreless in the third quarter while adding an additional sixteen to their total, and Grant’s statement season came to a painful end.

“We were battling, and when Chloee went down that really, really hurt us,” shared Delamater. “One of our best scoring options. One of our best ball handlers. We got into a situation where we had to put girls into positions they weren’t used to being in, and handle the ball when they’re not used to handling the ball, and that was part of the letdown. You could see the wind come out of their sails after that knowing that inevitably they’re going to keep pushing the tempo, and we’re not going to be able to get the stuff going that we want to get going.”

But seasons come to an end. It’s an inevitable part of playing any sport. And while this may not have been the storybook ending the Tiger faithful would have desired, there is much that Tiger fans can celebrate and look forward to next year.

“Looking back at the beginning of the season, one of the things we talked about was being above .500, and we’re a game above, extolled Delamater. “We said we wanted to make some noise in the conference, and I think getting third in the conference is making some noise. And I thought that being the third seed in the District, and I know they’re not seeded, but we would have been the third seeded team in the Districts. So we met every goal we had for ourselves, and I think that’s pretty fantastic.”

​Yes ladies, that is fantastic, and you should be super proud of your accomplishments.

While Grant will say goodbye to three very good players in Arends, Ryder, and Kruithoff, the fans got a chance tonight to see the future in the “Twin Towers” of Alexa Obenauf and Reese Gragg. Both Obenauf and Gragg will be sophomores next season, and bring some much needed physical size to Grant’s team. 

Julie Ashbaugh will return as a junior. If you stuck with the Tigers throughout the season, you could not help but notice Ashbaugh’s confidence grow with each game. This will be her team to lead next year, and she will be exciting to watch.

Jayci Hance, Morgan Kruithoff, Makayla Zerlaut, and Madison Thompson will be seniors with experience. Hance should easily be a point leader especially if Chloee Chase, who will be a junior, and Jocee Pleune, who will be a sophomore, can help open up the inside with their ability to hit the long range jumpers.

If the Tiger’s continue to buy into Delamater’s up tempo, high pressure physical play that “made noise” in the conference this season, and there should be no reason they don’t, the next two years at least will be more than a “noise,” it will be a roar. A Tiger roar that will be difficult to silence.

​Julie Ashbaugh led the Tiger’s final efforts tonight with eleven points. Jocee Pleune shot for seven. Jocelyn Kruitoff put up five. Chloee Chase, Jaycee Rider, and Makayla Zerlaut each had two. Grant finishes their season third in the CSAA Gold Conference with a 9-5 conference record, and an 11-10 overall record.