Warriors No Match for Lady Tigers

Story and photos by Mike Gesler

Grant 54   Chippewa Hills 29

The Lady Tigers have been looking at turning the tide having won only one game since January 14. They put a halt to their six game losing streak last week against Reed City, and tonight hoped that their matchup against Chippewa Hills would continue to put notches in the win column.

The first quarter of play saw both teams pressing hard, fighting at the boards, and shutting down looks. Kassidy Doornbos would get the Tigers on the board first. Another two points from Sara Arends, and a point from Kirstyn Throop would have the Tigers up five nothing before Addison Fate of Chippewa Hills would find the bucket twice and bring the game within one. When the buzzer sounded on the first, Grant would only lead by three.

The second quarter started with Chippewa Hills and Grant trading buckets, but then the Tigers started to find the chinks in the Warriors’ armor. The Tigers put together their best quarter of the game with six different players hitting the net, and never looked back. In fact, by the time this game finished, nine of the ten players on Grant’s roster would contribute points. Coach Paulsen rotated his players continuously giving each player plenty of time and experience on the floor. Everyone on the Tigers’ roster made significant contributions to the game as Grant easily defeated Chippewa Hills 54 to 29. 

“We tried really hard to focus on a few things in practice and translate them onto the court, and we certainly did tonight,” stated Grant’s coach, Paige Paulsen. “I thought the girls started to believe a little bit more, and we’re certainly gaining some momentum into the district push here and the last few conference games.”

Three Tigers put up double digits tonight. Kirstyn Throop and Jaycee Rider, which included a three pointer on the buzzer to end the first half, each put up eleven points, followed with ten points from Kassidy Doornbos. Ashley Longcore (6), Trinity Swanson (5), Sara Arends (4), Savannah Passage (3), and Samantha Wolff and Makenzie Ritz each with two also contributed to the Tiger win. The Lady Tigers move to 5-5 in the CSAA Gold Conference, and will next face Tri County on Tuesday evening in Grant.