OAKRIDGE – History was made Tuesday night as the Fremont girls basketball team secured its second straight outright conference championship with a commanding 70-33 victory over Oakridge. It marks the first time in 48 years that the Packers have won back-to-back conference titles.
Not only did the win lock up the championship, but Fremont now has a shot at going undefeated in league play for the second straight season, after finishing 12-0 last year. The Packers are currently 18-2 overall and 11-0 in conference, riding a 10-game winning streak and an impressive 23 straight league wins.
Fremont wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to an 18-10 lead after the first quarter before turning it into a 42-14 rout by halftime. The defense was relentless, forcing turnovers and dominating the boards, while the offense continued to push the pace. By the third quarter, Fremont had extended its lead to 58-25, and from there, it was smooth sailing to the final buzzer.
A balanced scoring attack saw 11 different players contribute, showcasing the team’s depth and unselfish play. Taylor DeKuiper led the way with a near triple-double, finishing with 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 steals. Riley Chase added 11 points and 6 rebounds, while Mia Clemence posted another double-double with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 steals.
“It feels amazing to win another conference championship,” head coach Pete Zerfas said.
With one more conference game remaining—Friday night at Manistee (5:30 PM tip-off)—Fremont looks to complete another perfect league season while gaining even more momentum for the postseason.
Thank you to Matt Zerfas for the pics!
Coach Pete Zerfas knew coming into the season that every team would be bringing their best shot against them. Instead of backing down, the Packers embraced the pressure and used it to fuel their preparation for the playoffs.
“I think knowing we were going to get every team’s best has helped get us ready for districts,” Zerfas said. “Our district is probably one of the best in the whole state record-wise, but we feel confident going forward.”
This season has felt completely different from last year.
“Last year, I told the girls on the first day of practice that we were going to win the conference championship,” Zerfas said. “They didn’t believe me because they were coming off three straight losing seasons. This year, it was expected. It’s a different feel—way more pressure. But having pressure is earned, and that’s exactly where we want to be.”
One thing remains clear: Fremont plays fast and isn’t afraid to shoot. The Packers push the tempo, fire up shots in bunches, and keep the scoreboard moving. They’ve taken over 80 shots in multiple games, and in a recent matchup against Whitehall, they put up 43 three-point attempts.
“Our team is not afraid to shoot… which is exactly how I want it,” Zerfas said with a laugh. “I tell them if you don’t take a bad shot once in a while, you’re not trying hard enough. They sure take that to heart…”
Even with 8-9 players rotating every quarter, the Packers have key standouts leading the charge.
- Mia Clemence (Senior) – All-State caliber, no doubt. She put up 40 points in a game this season and followed it up with 34 soon after. She leads the league in scoring (19.6 PPG) and is third in assists (4.5 APG).
- Taylor DeKuiper (Sophomore) – Another All-State-level season. She’s had games of 27, 25, and 24 points while leading the team in steals, rebounds, and assists. She also ranks fourth in the league in rebounding (10.0 RPG) and fourth in assists (5.0 APG).
- Riley Chase (Junior) – A key player on both ends of the floor, Chase is averaging 11 points per game and plays a crucial role in the team’s offensive and defensive success.
One of the biggest reasons for Fremont’s success has been the team’s bond off the court.
“We do a ton of team bonding—Riley Chase actually renamed it ‘Just for Funzies,’” Zerfas said. “We’ve done professional line dancing, an overnight trip to Canadian Lakes, bowling, pancake dinners, ice cream socials, pasta nights, pizza parties, a taco spread after practice—you name it. I try to keep things fun and not always just about basketball.”
A common question around the area has been how the conference switch has impacted Fremont basketball.
“I like the move to the WMC. There are so many good teams and schools in this conference,” Zerfas said.
With the postseason looming, Fremont knows the road ahead won’t be easy. They’re heading into one of the toughest districts in the state, but confidence is sky-high.
“Our district might be one of the best in the state, but we feel good about where we’re at,” Zerfas said.
A Breslin Center appearance isn’t out of the question. This team has the depth, the talent, and the chemistry to make a deep playoff run. Stay tuned for all the latest updates right here on CatchMark SportsNet!
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