LocalSportsJournal.com
SPRING LAKE–What a night it was for the seniors on the Spring Lake girls basketball team.
The Lakers used a fourth-quarter go ahead three pointer from Jennifer Judge and a swift steal for a layup by Ella Andree to complete the second-half comeback and cap off their final home game of the season with a dramatic 36-33 O-K Blue Conference win over Unity Christian on Friday evening.
Both teams struggled to put up points in the game and the first quarter saw the Lakers down three by a score of 8-5 after the first eight minutes of action.
The offensive woes continued in the second stanza as Unity Christian held a slim 6-3 scoring advantage and went into the halftime break with a 14-8 lead.
Finding their stride as they rolled into the third quarter, the Lakers turned up the offensive tempo doubling the points they scored in the first two quarters and outscoring Unity Christian 16-11 to cut the deficit all the way down to one point with at 25-24 entering the fourth quarter.
The battle ensued into the final eight minutes of action with both teams exchanging baskets until the Lakers slowly got pushed back falling behind by five points with four minutes left to play.
As time dwindled down with the Lakers behind 33-31 with just minutes left on the clock, Judge managed to a three pointer to put Spring Lake ahead while Andree thwarted the following Unity possession with a steal and layup to solidify the comeback.
Judge played a key role in the Laker’s success and wrapped up the night with 14 points and eight rebounds while Andree finished with 13 points and five steals. Meah Bajt was a solid leader on the floor contributing eight rebounds, four points, two assists and two steals.
“The Spring Lake girls basketball program is proud to have Peyton Parsons, Meah Bajt, Jennifer Judge, Eryn Bouwhuis and Nicole Schmitt be such a valuable group of young ladies to lead our teams over the last several years,” said Spring Lake Coach Rich Hyde. “We know they will all go on to be successful in their respective futures and wish them the best of luck.”
Spring Lake moves to 12-6 and 8-4 in conference play. The Lakers are set for another league matchup on Tuesday when they take a trip to face the Hamilton Hawkeyes.
Spring Lake girls basketball coach Rich Hyde during a timeout on Friday evening. The Lakers rallied to beat Unity Christian 36-33 (Photo/Kelly Gates)
