Long and Goodin combine for 37 as Newaygo gets by Big Rapids 54-43

LocalSportsJournal.com

Big Rapids—The Newaygo Lions moved one step closer to clinching another CSAA-Gold title as they got past Big Rapids on Friday evening 54-43.

The Cardinals couldn’t stop the one-two punch of Jaxi Long and Emmerson Goodin.

Big Rapids was up 11-6 after the 1st quarter and the game was 25-23 at half in favor of the Lions.

Newaygo outscored the Cardinals 17-7 in the 3rd quarter and was able to fend off the Cardinals through the 4th quarter.

Jaxi Long led the Lions with 21 points (9-10 from the FT line), four rebounds and four assists. Emmerson Goodin had 16 points, eight rebounds and five steals. Grace Painter chipped in with seven points for the Lions on the night.

“Really happy for the team after getting the win tonight in Big Rapids,” said Newaygo head coach Nathan Thomasma.

“I thought all the girls showed resilience and toughness after a slow start. Big Rapids is a talented and well coached squad that plays hard and physical so being able to come back and win in Big Rapids is a great win for us. We’ll enjoy the win tonight and then focus on Chippewa Hills for Tuesday’” Thomasma said.

Newaygo improves to 13-1 overall and remains all alone at the top of the Central State Activities Association-Gold with an 8-0 record. The Lions will travel to Chippewa Hills on Tuesday, February 8 to take on the Warriors.