Local Sports Journal
The outcome really was never in doubt after the first half of Friday’s girls basketball game at Muskegon Catholic Central.
The visiting Western Michigan Christian Warriors turned in a stellar first half and rode that wave to a 50-33 River Valley Conference victory.
WMC (9-3) raced to a 14-6 lead after one quarter and extended it to 34-11 at the half.
“Everythng looked like our preparation, which was nice to see” WMC coach Mike Henry said. “I thought we kept their shooters off balance. Their outside shooting has always been good.”
While the Crusaders were having trouble finding the hoop, the Warriors were running away with the game.
Senior Rachel Bruinsma finished with 12 points, all in the first half. In the second half, Jessica Knoll and Vanessa Eekhoff had six points each. Knoll finished with 12 points and Eekhoff had eight. Eekhoff also had 11 rebounds and six blocked shots.
“I just thought the girls responded real well,” Henry said. “We changed up our defense a little bit and some of it worked and some of it didn’t.”
Muskegon Catholic was led by Katherine Salisz with 13 points, 10 of which came in the final quarter. Kendall Wickstrom added eight points, all in the final quarter.
“Our girls were just intense for this game all week,” Henry said. “We had three days and I thought they reacted well.”
Western Michigan Christian 50, Muskegon Catholic 33
WESTERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN
Alyssa Wright 3 0-0 6, Julie Merz 3 0-0 8, Cassidy Kraker 2 0-0 4, Jessica Knoll 4 2-3 11, Rachel Bruinsma 6 0-1 12, Vanessa Eekhoff 4 0-0 8, Lorelle Hallenbeck 0 1-2 1. Totals 22 3-6 50.
MUSKEGON CATHOLIC
Natalie Bertolone 2 0-2 4, Marissa Mastella 1 0-0 2, Katherine Salisz 5 2-6 13, Haleigh Locke 0 3-4 3, Kendall Wickstrom 4 0-0 8, Gabrielle Thelen 1 0-0 3. Totals 13 5-12 33.
WMC 14 – 20 – 13 – 4 — 50
MCC 6-5-4-18 — 33
3-pointers: Merz (2), Knoll, Salisz. Fouled out: none. Total fouls: WMC 12, MCC 8. Technicals: none. JV: MCC 35-16.
