Pentwater Falcons girls fall to Mesick in WMD action 59-35

The Falcons trailed by 18 points at the half, and never got their upset hopes to so much as flicker as the Bulldogs dominated the contest from start to finish.

Falcons coach Joe Gorton was impressed with Mesick’s team afterward.

“They are fast and athletic, and I knew we’d have to limit our mistakes in order to push them,” Gorton said. “We are still pretty shorthanded due to injury and illness, but my girls were up to the challenge.

“Mesick’s press caused some problems for us. We haven’t had an opportunity to play against one yet this year, and with the illness/injury, I can’t simulate it in practice easily.

“However, I think we made strides throughout the game, and we will be more than ready for the next press that gets thrown at us. The score seems a little deceiving, as we made a run early in the fourth that brought us within eight. But we kind of ran out of steam.”

Mesick outscored Pentwater, 15-7 in the first quarter and 15-10 in the second for its 30-17 halftime cushion. The Bulldogs had a 21-14 advantage in the third period, and ran out to a 20-point lead, 51-31. Pentwater was outscored, 8-4 in the last quarter.

“I removed a couple of key players in the last couple of minutes to kind of manage some bumps and bruises, and the score crept on us a little during that time,” Gorton added. “The three usual suspects played well for me tonight.

“Mikaylyn (Kenney) really is starting to show some great ball-handling, and she worked really hard on the boards tonight. Haidyn (Adams) is starting to find her way to the free throw line, and she’s the best free throw shooter I’ve had in quite some time.

“I challenged Jocelyn (Richison) to keep evolving as a point guard, and create some open shots for her teammates, and some had some great looks tonight. I look forward to getting back at it next week when hopefully I have a more complete roster.”

Richison and Adams each scored eight points to lead Pentwater. Kenney had nine rebounds to go with her six points.

Adams and Samantha Schaefer had four rebounds apiece. Richison had three assists and three steals. Adams also had three steals and Audrey Kieda had two.

Pentwater fell to 1-5 overall and 1-4 in the WMD with its fourth straight loss. The Falcons are next scheduled to play at home against Hesperia on Tuesday, Jan. 18.