FREMONT – The Packers have been on fire lately, winning their last six games, including a dominant 30+ point victory over Orchard View. Fremont currently sits atop the WMC Lakes standings as the season approaches its halfway mark.
In their season opener against Spring Lake, Fremont faced a tough challenge and was not yet in peak form, resulting in a 41-37 loss. Head coach Peter Zerfas reflected on the game: “As far as the team and early season, we were terrible in our scrimmages before Spring Lake. We didn’t rebound and turned the ball over far too much. I made some changes in the one practice before the Spring Lake game and saw the potential in our 4-point loss to SL. Our girls actually came away with confidence after that game, and it has built from there.”
Since then, the Packers have been unstoppable, racking up five blowout wins.
Fremont’s “Big Three,” as Coach Zerfas calls them, includes Mia Clemence, Taylor DeKuiper, and Riley Chase. “They have been great as the other girls are developing. We are becoming a complete team because of this, with many more contributing in scoring, rebounding, and more,” Zerfas added.
Clemence leads the team in scoring with an impressive average of 19.3 points per game. She made her mark on the WMC when the Packers faced Mason County Central, scoring 40 points and setting a school record for the most points in a single game. “She is a great athlete, but it is her determination and competitive spirit that fuels her. She can do everything on the court,” said Coach Zerfas.
DeKuiper, the second member of the Big Three, is a defensive standout, but her scoring ability is equally impressive. As a freshman last season, DeKuiper set the school record for most steals in a season, and this year, she’s on track to break her own record. “The best-kept secret in West Michigan is sophomore Taylor DeKuiper,” Zerfas said.
Rounding out the Big Three is Riley Chase, a four-sport athlete excelling in cross country, equestrian, basketball, and soccer. Chase is second on the team in scoring with 12.4 points per game, with her best performance coming against Montague, where she scored 24 points. “She has spent a lot of time shooting and working on her game, and it shows. The bigger the game, the better she plays,” explained Zerfas.
“We are no longer just three players, but a full team of girls who are competitive and confident. Our practices are competitive and fun. We have seven girls who I believe would start on most other teams and four more who are improving every day. I also love how our girls support each other. They are happier for a teammate’s success than their own. It’s fun to watch develop,” said Zerfas.
With back-to-back WMC matchups against Oakridge and Whitehall on the horizon, the Packers aim to maintain their momentum and stay atop the WMC standings.
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