LocalSportsJournal.com
REDFORD TWP. — It was not the way Ludington’s girls basketball team wanted to close out the 2021 portion of its regular season schedule.
On the night before New Year’s Eve, the Orioles finished with a second consecutive loss in the Motor City Roundball Classic on Thursday, dropping a 69-22 decision to West Bloomfield at Westfield Preparatory High School.
After falling to Highland, 51-26 on Wednesday night, the Orioles found themselves going against a team in West Bloomfield that was rated even higher.
“We got to play against the kind of defense we can’t replicate in practice,” Ludington head coach Warren Stowe said. “They try to bring a lot of ball pressure.
“I told the girls, ‘After you see this, what are you going to be doing day in and day out at practice? And when you play a team like Orchard View, you’re going to think everything is going fast.”
Despite finishing the first half in a 46-14 hole, a deficit the Orioles could not cut into, Stowe said there were some sparks visible throughout the contest.
Stowe lauded the play of Olivia Lynn, Rylee Stone, Emma McKinley and Karli Mesyar. RyAnn Rohrer willingly moved over to point guard in an effort to give the Orioles a lift.
Abi Bandstra suited up for the first time this season after being sidelined the Orioles’ first six games with an injury, and entered the game in the fourth quarter. She got to the free throw line, and made both of her attempts.
The Lakers (6-1) had four players in double figures, with Myonna Hooper topping the list with 18 points. Summer Davis contributed 15, while Sydney Hendrix added 12 and Indya Davis tossed in 10.
Lynn scored seven points to lead the Orioles (3-4). No one else had more than two.
The Orioles are off now until Friday, Jan. 7 when they are scheduled to host Orchard View at Hawley Gymnasium.
