By Lucas Rains
Local Sports Journal

HOLTON – It’s always good to get off to a good start when you play a tough opponent.

The Holton girls basketball team employed that strategy to perfection Tuesday night.

Holton's Jacki Stone goes in for the fast break layup during Holton's first-quarter run. Photo/Jason Goorman

Holton’s Jacki Stone goes in for the fast break layup during Holton’s first-quarter run. Photo/Jason Goorman

The Red Devils poured in 36 first half points and cruised to a wild 89-70 victory over Fruitport Calvary Christian in a non-league matchup.

“I thought we played very good team basketball, probably the best we’ve played all year,” said Holton Coach Jayson Robins, whose team improved to 10-2. “Our kids know that (Calvary Christian) is a good ball club. So it didn’t matter if it was conference or non-conference, we want to play good teams.

“Good teams bring the best out of you and I think that’s what happened here tonight.”

Holton jumped out to a 17-3 lead by the 4:30 mark in the first quarter. The Red Devils forced turnover after turnover which led to easy baskets. The lead swelled to as many as 22 points in the first quarter.

“We like to play a lot of (full-court pressure),” Robins said. “We think we’re athletic enough and it’s our favorite. We don’t always execute it great, but we like to stay in it.”

All five starters scored for Holton in the wild first quarter, with Rachel Younts leading the way with 12 points. Jacki Stone added 10 as the Red Devils took a 36-14 lead into the second quarter.

Taylor Richards goes in for the layup as Holton's Shelby Younts goes for the block. Photo/Jason Goorman

Taylor Richards goes in for the layup as Holton’s Shelby Younts goes for the block. Photo/Jason Goorman

Calvary Christian cut into the deficit a bit in the second, outscoring Holton 19-13. Taylor Richards and Allyson Richards paced the Eagles with 10 and seven points, respectively, in the quarter.

Holton led 49-33 at halftime..

Holton outscored Calvary Christian 18-14 in the third with a balanced offensive attack. Younts scored six quick points to start the quarter and four other Red Devils added points. Holton held a 67-47 advantage heading into the final quarter.

The Eagles poured in 24 fourth quarter points, but Holton answered with 22 to nail down the victory.

The Red Devils got double-digit scoring from each of their starters. Stone led the Red Devils with 26 points while Younts totaled 20, Courtney Slater added 13, Riley Hicks scored 12 and Katie Wildfong had 10.

Taylor Richards dropped in 33 points, Allyson Richards added 21 and Hannah Roberts added 11 for Calvary Christian.

Holton's Katie Wildfong saves the ball and looks to keep her feet inbounds during first quarter action. Photo/Jason Goorman

Holton’s Katie Wildfong saves the ball and looks to keep her feet inbounds during first quarter action. Photo/Jason Goorman

Rachel Younts gets in two points for Holton during the Red Devil's first quarter press against Fruitport Calvary's Taylor Richards. Photo/Jason Goorman

Rachel Younts gets in two points for Holton during the Red Devil’s first quarter press against Fruitport Calvary’s Taylor Richards. Photo/Jason Goorman

Fruitport Calvary's No. 15 Hannah Roberts tires to find room through Holton's zone defense as teammate Kyleah Sutherland gets ready for the pass. Photo/Jason Goorman

Fruitport Calvary’s No. 15 Hannah Roberts tires to find room through Holton’s zone defense as teammate Kyleah Sutherland gets ready for the pass. Photo/Jason Goorman

Allyson Richards goes in for the layup as Holton's No. 21 Brandi Taylor tries to block the shot. Photo/Jason Goorman

Allyson Richards goes in for the layup as Holton’s No. 21 Brandi Taylor tries to block the shot. Photo/Jason Goorman