LocalSportsJournal.com

LAKEVIEW–The Newaygo girls’ basketball team needed overtime to take down Lakeview on Friday evening.

The Lions won the Central State Activities Association game, 45-44.

“The crowd definitely got their money’s worth tonight,” said Newaygo coach Nathan Thomasma. “I’m really proud and impressed with the Lady Lions tonight.  We struggled to put the ball in the hoop and had chances to close the game out a few times and didn’t, but they never quit.  They continued to work hard and kept playing ball.”

Thomasma is watching his younger players develop as the season progresses.

“We have a lot of young kids that are learning on the fly and they hung tough in an exciting atmosphere,” Thomasma said. “They executed the last play extremely well and Naomi (Schillman) hit a big time shot.  Great win for this group of girls.”

Newaygo was down by one at the break, but had a three-point lead going into the final quarter. 

Lakeview scored with 2 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime. 

Newaygo had two shots at the end of the first overtime that rattled in and out. 

In the second overtime, Naomi Schillman hit a 3-pointer with 7 seconds left to put Newaygo up by three.  Lakeview made a layup at the buzzer to account for the game’s final points.

Newaygo had a balanced scoring effort.  Grace Painter and Kija Westbrook led the Lions with nine points each. Naomi Schillman, Maria Riddering and Addison Goodin each added eight. Amaya Lathrop tossed five points.  
 
Newaygo (4-9. 2-4) travels to Reed City on Tuesday to face the Coyotes.