Photos by Zach Zweigle | CatchMark
The first week of play can set the tone for the entire season. Montague’s girls basketball team clearly understood that concept.
Montague is off to a great start after a 52-36 victory over host Oakridge Friday night in the teams’ West Michigan Conference opener.
The Wildcats are 2-0 overall, as they picked up a nonleague road win over Comstock Park Tuesday. The Eagles are 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the league.
Sophomore Kendall Osborne led Montague with 19 points, while junior Haylee Schwarz chipped in 12 and senior Claire Meacham had 11.
“I feel super excited and I’m glad that I got to show that I can make some of those shots,” Osborne said. “We are kind of being underestimated right now, so it’s nice to be able to show that we are as close to as good as we were last year.”
Montague jumped out to an early lead and did not look back. Oakridge did battle back and pulled within 30-27 at the end of the third quarter. The Wildcats put it away in the fourth, however, with a 22-9 scoring advantage.
Osborne and Schwarz had seven rebounds apiece, as Osborne neared a triple-double with nine assists. Meacham snagged 10 rebounds for a double-double.
For Oakridge, foul trouble and turnovers proved too much to overcome down the stretch. Coach Morgan Wahr was proud of the Eagles’ improved aggression in comparison to Tuesday’s season-opening loss to Sparta.
“The girls hustled the entire time,” Wahr said. “I asked them to be more aggressive from Tuesday’s game to today, and that really showed in our fouls. We were a little undersized, but I am just proud of my girls for still battling.”
Anna Lundquist Oakridge with 13 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and two blocks. Last season’s offensively leader, Destyni Lane, notched six points, two steals, two rebounds and an assist.
Next, Montague will host Spring Lake Tuesday in what could be a potential district preview. Oakridge will visit Fruitport on Tuesday.
WHITEHALL 39, RAVENNA 31
In the home opener, Whitehall picked up its first win of the season against league opponent Ravenna on Friday night. After jumping out to a 13-7 lead in the opening quarter, the Vikings were able to keep that momentum.
Whitehall leaders:
Charley Klint 16 points, 6 rebounds
Ashley Tenbrink 7 points
Ravenna leaders:
Emma Gillard 11 points, 6 rebounds
Kendra Postema 6 points, 3 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 blocks
Records:
Whitehall 1-1 overall, 1-0 WMC
Ravenna 0-2 overall, 0-1 WMC
Next games:
Whitehall at Newaygo, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7
Ravenna at Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation Academy, 5:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6
SHELBY 47, NORTH MUSKEGON 18
At Shelby, the Tigers started conference play on a high note. Shelby posted a 22-10 lead over North Muskegon after the first half. The Norse were unable to narrow that margin in the second half as the Tigers ran away with a victory.
Shelby leaders:
Kendall Zoulek 22 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals
Aubrey Klotz 7 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 steals
Molli Schultz 7 points, 2 assists, 2 steals
North Muskegon leaders:
Molly Stewart 5 points
Emma St. Germain 5 points
Records:
Shelby 1-1 overall, 1-0 WMC
North Muskegon 0-1 overall, 0-1 WMC
Next games:
Shelby at Fremont, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7
North Muskegon at Muskegon Catholic Central, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7
HART 59, MASON COUNTY CENTRAL 12
In Hart’s season opener, the host Pirates defeated MCC in dominating fashion. The Pirates outscored the Spartans 21-3 in the second quarter, resulting in a 44-6 halftime lead.
Hart leaders:
Jayd Hovey 13 points, 5 rebounds, 9 steals, 5 assists
Aspen Boutell 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 assists
Abby Hicks 10 points, 4 steals, 5 assists
Addi Hovey 2 points, 4 rebounds, 6 steals
Morgan Marvin 5 points, 9 rebounds, 5 blocks
Records:
Hart 1-0 overall, 1-0 WMC
Mason County Central 1-1 overall, 0-1 WMC
Next games:
Hart at Midland, 1:40 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4
Mason County Central at Montague, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9
