LocalSportsJournal.com

MUSKEGON — The Manistee girls basketball team jumped on Orchard View early and had no trouble rolling to a lopsided 57-30 victory Friday in the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division.

“We shot the ball well in the first half and that really helps our defense,” said Manistee coach Kenn Kott. “Everybody pitched in tonight, with Grace Whitmer having an exceptional game.

“Jayna Edmondson is gradually becoming a solid scorer for us,” Kott said. “I won’t lie to you, after traveling in this weather, it will be nice to be back home next week.”

Defense has been the one constant for the Chippewas this season and it had one of its best starts when they shut out the Cardinals in the first quarter for a 15-0 lead.

Manistee was firing on all cylinders in the second quarter, outscoring the Cardinals, 22-12 and owning a 37-12 halftime lead.

Points came a lot more infrequently in the second half. The Cardinals scored evenly with the Chippewas in the third quarter, as both teams netted nine points. Manistee went into the final eight minutes with a comfortable 46-21 advantage.

Edmondson scored 16 points to lead the Chippewas. Libby McCarthy finished with eight points, seven rebounds and four assists. Whitmire chipped in seven points and eight rebounds.

Manistee (7-7, 4-5) will host Reed City on Tuesday. 

Orchard View (1-13, 0-8) will host Shelby on Tuesday.