Hovey scores 21 as Hart cruises past Western Michigan Christian

By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com

NORTON SHORES–The Hart Pirates girls basketball team had no letdown after Friday’s huge conference win over Mason County Central.

The Pirates raced out to a 14-0 lead over Western Michigan Christian and never looked back in a 58-24 non-conference win on Monday.

WMC had no defensive answers for the high-powered Pirate offense, which was led by Addi Hovey with a game-high 21 points, five rebounds, four assists and six steals. Aspen Boutell tossed in 15 points, dished out seven assists and had five steals. Abby Hicks chipped in 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.

“I was expecting them to go 1-3-1, but they went man on defense and we were able to use our athleticism to get past them,” said Hart coach Travis Rosema.

“Aspen’s been shooting the ball pretty good lately and Abby and Addi got going and we were able to get into our transition game,” Rosema said of his team’s fast start.

Hart will look to wrap up the West Michigan Conference Rivers Division title on Thursday evening.

“Winning the conference is a great thing but our goals are much higher than that right now,” Rosema said.

Photo courtesy of LSJ Photographer Leo Valdez

Hart led 17-5 at the end one and increased that lead to 43-10 by the half.

After the four-minute mark of the third quarter, the remainder of the game was played with a running clock. Hart outscored WMC 15-4 in the third period while the Warriors held the upper hand in the fourth quarter, 10-5

Ashley Folkema led WMC with 10 points. Maria Eenigenburg pulled down eight rebounds, had five steals and three blocked shots. Brooklyn Watts grabbed six rebounds.

“One of our goals was to compete on offense and defense each time,” said WMC coach Sarah Koetsier. Their four-quarter, full-court press forced many turnovers and it took us a few times to navigate that press. We played hard and ended the game strong.”

Hart (17-2, 10-0) travels to Hesperia on Thursday.

WMC (7-10) travels to Grand Rapids Covenant Christian on Friday.