By Ron Rop
Local Sports Journal

The Muskegon Big Reds will get another shot at the Grand Haven Buccaneers after surviving a 58-46 contest against the Cedar Springs Red Hawks on Wednesday night.

Muskegon (15-7) will face the undefeated Bucs at 7 p.m. Friday at Grand Haven.

For much of the game against the Red Hawks, the Big Reds had the game well in control. But there were a few anxious moments in the second half when Cedar Springs’ scrappy style of play, led by point guard Molly Holtrop, caused some problems for Coach Tauschauna Burrel’s team.

“It was a tough one,” Burrel said. “If it’s not easy, we don’t want it.”

Early on, it was easy for Muskegon, which surged to a 17-7 lead after the first quarter. The Red Hawks were able to cut six points off the deficit by the half.

Cedar Springs’ completed the comeback with 2:21 left in the third quarter when Samantha Taylor scored on a layup – her only two points of the game – to tie the game at 31-all.

Muskegon was able to make another surge and went up by five points, but a Holtrop 3-pointer made it 36-34 early in the fourth quarter. Another 5-0 run made it 41-34 for Muskegon, which was able to hold off Cedar Springs the rest of the game.

Jade Page led Muskegon with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Janiece Levelston added 16 points and four steals. Madrieka Cook had 10 points, eight rebounds and four steals.

Allie Veltkamp led Cedar Springs with 20 points and Holtrop with 11. Brittany Todd added nine points.

How come the next task at hand for the Big Reds – facing the Bucs.

“It’s a dream ending to the districts,” Burrel said. “We’re coming in and we will be well prepared.”

Muskegon 58, Cedar Springs 46

MUSKEGON
Keirra Guy 1 7-12 9, Raven Moore 1 0-0 3, Madriecka Cook 2 6-8 10, Janiece Levelston 7 2-6 16, Jade Page 8 4-9 20. Totals 19 19-35 58.

CEDAR SPRINGS
Molly Holtrop 3 4-5 11, Hannah Wight 0 2-2 2, Mikenzie Francis 1 0-0 2, Samantha Taylor 1 0-0 2, Allie Veltkamp 5 7-12 20, Brittany Todd 3 3-4 9. Totals 13 16-23 46.

Muskegon 17 – 9 – 10 – 22 — 58
Cedar Springs 7 – 15 – 9 – 15 — 46
3-pointers: Moore, Holtrop, Veltkamp (3). Total fouls: Muskegon 15, Cedar Springs 20. Fouled out: H. Wight. Technicals: Muskegon bench.