Local Sports Journal

MUSKEGON –  It took awhile Saturday night, but the Mona Shores girls basketball team, fresh off Thursday night’s 50-31 victory over Spring Lake in the Muskegon Area Hall of Fame Classic opener, simply ran away from visiting Ludington  54-31 Saturday night to improve to 3-1 overall.

Ludington (4-2) held its own in the first, battling to trail by just one, 11-10, after the opening frame, but the Sailors outscored the Orioles in the second 15-7 in the second – to lead 26-17 at the break – and then held the visitors to just four third quarter points to cruise to the victory.

Sailor head coach  Brad Kurth indicated the play of his defense help Mona Shores  best a “…deep and well-coached Ludington team by 22 points.”

“Mona Shores really locked us down with their defense tonight,” said Ludington head coach Thad Shank. “I was very impressed; it was hard for us to score all night.”

The Sailors controlled the boards as well.

“(Shores)  really hurt us on offensive glass as well,” said Shank. “We just couldn’t finish possessions tonight! They attack the glass well!”

Shores senior guard and University of Valparaiso-commit  Jasmyn Walker had another outstanding effort, finishing with a game-high 20 points, while adding 11 boards and three steals, while younger sister, freshman Jordan Walker, finished with eight points, seven boards, three assists and three steals, and senior Amy Gillings balanced the scoring with 14 points and two steals.

Ludington was led by Brandi Thomas, Clare Flewelling and Madilyn Shank, who all finished with six points apiece.