Local Sports Journal
The Western Michigan Christian Warriors overcame a sluggish first half on Friday night and battled back for a 43-35 River Valley girls basketball victory over Hudsonville Freedom Christian.
The visiting Warriors trailed 16-11 at the half, but outscored the Falcons 34-19 in the final two quarters.
“That’s been our pattern pretty much all year,” WMC coach Mike Henry said. “The second half has been our best scoring half by a wide margin.”
Senior Rachel Bruinsma led the Warriors (7-3) with 17 points, seven steals and seven rebounds. Julie Merz added 10 points and five steals and Vanessa Eekhoff had eight points and five rebounds.
Alison Westra led Freedom with 10 points.
Western Michigan Christian 53, Freedom Christian 35
WESTERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN
Alyssa Wright 1 0-0 2, Julie Merz 4 1-2 10, Sarah Hughes 1 0-0 2, Jessica Knoll 1 0-2 2, Rachel Bruinsma 7 3-5 17, Vanessa Eekhoff 4 0-3 8, Lorelle Hallenbeck 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 4-12 43.
FREEDOM CHRISTIAN
Alison Westra 4 0-1 10, Emily Koetsier 2 0-0 4, Emily Gatlin 4 0-0 8, Lexi Pronk 2 0-2 4, Kelli Hoffman 1 0-0 2, Rachel Slottke 3 1-5 7. Totals 16 1-7 35.
WMC 7 – 4 – 14 – 18 — 43
Freedom 10 – 6 – 6 – 13 — 35
3-pointers: Merz, Westra (2). Total fouls: WMC 8, Freedom 12. Fouled out: none. Technicals: none.
