LocalSportsJournal.com

STANTON–The Grant Tigers girls’ basketball team fell behind early against Central Montcalm and dropped a 70-55 decision.

The game was played in the Central State Activities Association.

Central Montcalm got out of the gate fast as they raced out to a 25-8 lead after the first quarter.

The Hornets hit 5-of-6 from beyond the arc in the first quarter and seventy-five percent from the floor. For the game they shot 60 percent from the floor.

“That is unbelievable, ” said Grant coach Josh Delamater. “What do you do when a team comes out shooting like that? They only made two 3-pointers after the first quarter.”

Central Montcalm extended their lead slightly during the second stanza with a 13-11 scoring advantage and took a 38-19 lead into the half.

Grant had their best quarter of the evening in the third period with a 19-14 scoring edge, but still trailed 52-38.

The Hornets also cashed in at the free-throw line, where they went 18-of-27. Grant connected on 7-of-10 from the charity stripe.

Julie Ashbaugh was in foul trouble from the second quarter on and fouled out early in the fourth quarter.  She led Grant with 16 points. Jocee Pluene tossed in 10 points while Jaycee Hance chipped in eight points. Makayla Zerlaut contributed seven points and Madison Thompson scored six points.
 
“We were down 19 at the half and our goal in the lockeroom was to beat them in the second half,” Delamater said. “I appreciate the effort of the team continuing to play hard despite the circumstances.”
 
Grant (9-5, 4-2) will host league-leading Big Rapids on Friday.