LocalSportsJournal.com
SCOTTVILLE — Montague’s girls basketball team used a late spurt to snap a tie game and come away with a narrow 38-35 win over Mason County Central on Thursday night in Scottville.
The Wildcats moved their record to 3-1 overall and currently lead the West Michigan Conference with a 2-0 ledger. Meanwhile, the Spartans are 1-2 overall and 0-2 in the league.
“It was a very good game,” Spartan head coach Mike Weinert said. “I was proud of how the girls fought.”
Mason County Central managed to squeeze into a 12-11 lead at the end of the first quarter, but then was outscored 5-4 in a low scoring second period as the two teams went into their respective locker rooms tied, 16-16 at the half.
The Spartans reclaimed the lead, 28-24 after three after outscoring the Wildcats, 12-8. But the Wildcats had a 14-7 advantage in the final eight minutes.
Grace Weinert scored 13 points to lead the Spartans and she also added three assists. Wren Nelson added 10 points and hauled down seven rebounds. Adrian Quigley had six assists and three steals.
It was tied, 35-35 with 45 seconds to go in regulation when the Wildcats got a steal and scored on a layup. After making another steal, the Montague player was fouled and made one of the two free throw attempts.
“We called a time out and we just preached to our girls that ‘We just have to keep battling, and keeping being physical,’ said Montague head coach Nicholas Thaler. “It was good for us that we had a previous game with Spring Lake that was close, to kind of learn from that.
“I think that adversity kind of helped us. I think you need games like that through the season to kind of build character.”
Claire Meacham scored a game-high 18 points to lead the Wildcats, and she also ripped down 11 rebounds. Haylee Schwarz scored seven points. Emma Dyer added four points.
Montague hosts Whitehall and Mason County Central is at home to face Oakridge on Tuesday.
