Photos by Harper Leon for CatchMark
FRUITPORT — Just when Montague’s girls basketball team thought it was on the verge of getting over the hump Wednesday night, Fruitport would make a big play to wrestle back momentum.
Throughout the season, when the Wildcats thought they may be getting their footing, something would happen to seemingly wipe out the progress.
It was the story of the season, capped by host Fruitport’s 44-33 victory over Montague in a Division 2 district semifinal.
Montague finishes the season with an 8-15 record. Fruitport (8-16) advances to Friday’s 7 p.m. district final against neighboring rival Spring Lake (16-6), which ran away from Whitehall, 54-22, in the earlier game.
“We had our ups and downs. When we’d feel like we’re back in it, and we’re getting within two points, they’d get an and-one on us. It was kind of the storybook of our season,” Montague first-year coach Jess DeBruin said.
“We got better at it, but it’s just one of those things that we’ve still got to keep working on.”
Throughout most of the game, Montague was never too far out of reach and the Wildcats were within striking distance a couple times, but Fruitport had an answer each time.
Freshman Izabel Hanson-Wilbur led all scorers with 17 points for Fruitport with nine coming in the third quarter after Montague had pulled within 20-16 at halftime.
Junior Kenzie Pate scored 12 points for the Trojans, hitting four of the team’s five 3-pointers. Senior Ashton Olson added seven points.
For Montague, junior Adilynn Peterson led the way with 11 points and four rebounds. Juniors Braylyn Bultema and Addison Pranger had eight points and seven rebounds apiece.
Photos by Scott DeCamp | CatchMark
