Blackshire’s hot first half propels Orchard View girls to a 57-25 victory over Hesperia

By Justin Haggerty
Local Sports Journal

MUSKEGON – Orchard View’s Jayshonna Blackshire wasn’t taking any prisoners Tuesday.

The senior standout came out at the top of her game, scoring 11 of her game-high 22 points in the first quarter to propel the Cardinals to an easy 57-25 victory over Hesperia in non-league action.

Jayshonna Blackshire gets fouled on the drive by Hesperia’s Kaycee Jackson. Photo/Joe Lane

“She’s (Blackshire) been playing really well this year,” said Orchard View Coach Rodney Walker, whose team improved to 3-2 on the season. “I’ve expected her to play that well this year considering all he hard work she’s been doing the last four years being a varsity player.”

“I think that she’s playing really comfortable. She understands the systems that we’re running, she’s basically doing it all for us. I just like what she’s doing for us this year as a leader, as a senior.”

Blackshire’s hot hand allowed the Cardinals to race to a 15-4 lead after one quarter and a 29-13 advantage at the break.

Cha’nise Dixon contributed to the first half uprising with a pair of 3-pointers for Orchard View.

Cardinal junior Amiya Brown stepped up in the second half, scoring eight points in the third quarter alone. The Panthers only managed eight points as a team in the third, leaving the score at 44-21 heading into the final frame.

Brown finished with 16 points.

“Amiya had a very good game,” Walker said. “She got into foul trouble early, and once she learns how to stay out of foul trouble early, we’ll be a little more effective in the first half.”