Tigers Dominate in District Showdown

Tigers Dominate in District Showdown


Grant 64 Newaygo 48

Twice this season the Lions took on the Tigers and twice it was Newaygo walking off the floor with bragging rights in these all important rivalry games. And as fate would have it the two teams would open their postseason play by facing each other again.
And third time proved to be the charm for the Tigers as they ended the Lions season and  advanced to Wednesday’s semifinal game matchup with Fremont.
Grant was absolutely on fire from the get-go racing to a 13-2 behind a scoring binge by Oakley Obenauf and Zak Barnhart as well as a stifling defense that created major problems for the Lions. Newaygo roared back as Dyllan Bazzett broke the drought with a bucket and Jarryn Schmitt scorched one from distance. Caris Nelson followed with a basket then made it to the line where he converted both tries and the quarter ended with Grant clutching a 13-11 lead. In the second quarter the Tigers dominated, especially on defense. 

While giving up a lot of height on the floor Grant made uo for it by smothering the Lions offense. They forced turnovers and seemed to take Newaygo out of their game. On offense they were knocking down shots and as the half was winding down Obenauf put an exclamation point on a good first half by nailing a triple that gave the Tigers a 30-17 spread at intermission.
​The third saw Grant go up by 17 before the Lions made another run with Bazzett providing a lot of the energy as well as the points. Entering the final frame the Lions pulled within 9 but the Tigers were not to be denied on this night and when Obenauf drained yet another from beyond the arc Grant was again up by 17 halfway through the quarter then hit the free throws down the stretch to put this one in the books. ​

Coach Schuitema: ‘I’m really proud of the guys and the way they came out and played really good defense to start the game, They sustained it for four quarters minus a few lapses but those lapses aren't really poor defense its just that Newaygo has a lot of strong action to the rim as well as very good players so you can’t keep them out the whole game.
“I thought we competed well and  took advantage of our offensive opportunities multiple  times to keep that lead and we closed it out at the free throw line. It was a complete game for us and I’m proud of them,
The win pits Grant against another longtime rival Wednesday when they will match up with Fremont with the winner headed to the District Finals and a shot at the Regionals.
​“Fremont has so much size that poses a challenge for us and they have a good point guard in Miller so they have a lot of versatility,” said Coach Scuitema. “ When we played them it was pretty close so we would expect it would be close again and hopefully that  give us a chance to win.”
Obernauf knocked down 25 points to lead the Tiger attack with Barnhart and Austin Whitney each dropping 10.
Nelson led the Lions with 14 points and Bazzett finished with 8.

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