LocalSportsJournal.com
LUDINGTON — After shutting Whitehall out in the first quarter, the Ludington girls basketball team controlled the rest of the game Friday night and sped to a 40-27 win at home in the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division.
It was the Orioles’ third straight win after a season-opening loss to Grand Haven in which they scored only 19 points.
“That’s part of the reason we scheduled teams like Grand Haven, the game is a little slower after that first one,” Ludington coach Warren Stowe said. “Grand Haven is really good. We’re still playing good West Michigan Conference teams, but the game has slowed down a little for us.
“We came out tonight and held them scoreless for most of the first half. They only had two points at halftime. We just kind of cruised from there.”
Ludington had its offense clicking in the first quarter and finished with a 15-0 lead. The Orioles outscored the Vikings, 10-2 in the second and had Whitehall down, 25-2 at the half.
The Vikings came out with more offensive fire in the third, and outscored the Orioles, 12-9. But it didn’t put a dent in the Orioles’ lead, which now was 34-14.
Whitehall won the fourth quarter, 8-6.
Jennah Skiba scored 10 points to lead the Orioles, while Emma McKinley added nine and Jordyn Anderson chipped in with eight.
“We’ve had a chance to open it up a little bit, and turn our defense into offense,” Stowe said.
Ludington improved to 3-1, 3-0 WMC and host inter-county rival Mason County Central in its next game Monday night.
“They’re a great team. They kicked our butt last year,” added Stowe. “We know they have a lot of great players, and they’re a great group. So, we’re going to have to play our best.”
Whitehall remained winless on the season at 4-0, 0-3 in the conference and next hosts Fruitport in non-conference action on Tuesday.