Local Sports Journal

Oakridge defense made sure it didn’t lose to Orchard View at the Muskegon Heights Holiday Tournament on Friday. The Eagles squeaked out a 33-31 win and held the Cardinals scoreless in the last three and half minutes of the game.

Down by three points with 3:30 left after OV’s Daejia Hill found the basket, Oakridge’s defense made stops and they hit key free throws to hold on.

“We made just enough free throws,” said Oakridge coach Terry DeJonge. “We did a better job of helping and making Jayshonna Blackshire pass the ball.”

Blackshire led Orchard View as the junior guard scored a game-high 17 points. six of her eight third quarter points came off of deep three pointers.

“She hit a pair of three’s from 21 feet deep with a hand in her face,” said DeJonge. “After that she made us come out on her and she was able to drive to the basket and really hurt us in the third quarter.”

Morgan Giddings sparked Oakridge to an 11-6 first quarter lead with a pair of 3-pointers and the Eagles led 21-13 at the break. Giddings finished with nine points.

Meghan Larabee chipped in seven points for Oakridge and Hannah Reinhold added six.

Hill finished with six points for Orchard View.