LocalSportsJournal.com
The Muskegon Big Reds opened their girls basketball season against visiting Kent City in a barn burner that saw Kent City sneak away with a 59-58 win on Thursday.
Kaitlyn Geers lifted the Eagles on a drive that went the length of the court to find a layup with five seconds to go.
Muskegon’s Mardrekia Cook goes up for the shot against Kent City’s Kaitlyn Geers. Photo/Marc Hoeksema
Just seconds earlier, Muskegon’s Mardrekia Cook put the Big Reds up 58-57 after she found a steal off a Kent City inbound. But after Geer’s layup, Cook was unable to get a solid shot off before time expired.
“She (Geers) dribbled the whole way down the court and no one got back,” said first year Muskegon Coach Rodney Walker. “We relaxed after Mardrekia made her shot and we didn’t get back to stop the play.”
Cook and Geers battled against each other all night and each finished with 23 points. Cook grabbed 17 rebounds.
Muskegon led 29-24 at half and held a 42-37 lead heading into the final quarter. But 14 total turnovers hurt the Big Reds against Kent City who had just six.
“We missed some wide open layups that could have put us over the top,” said Walker. “They just capitalized on every mistake we made and enabled them to win it at the end of the game.”
Paige Mortensen and McKenna Carlson scored 12 points apiece for Kent City.
Tierra Williams also led Muskeogn with 16 points and eight rebounds.
