LocalSportsJournal.com
PENTWATER — Playing back-to-back is tough under any circumstances, but when it means facing a tall, fast and physical team like Brethren, it was too much for Pentwater’s girls basketball team.
Hosting the Bobcats in their second West Michigan D League matchup of the season, the Falcons had hopes of improving to 2-0 in the conference.
But coming into the game short one starter because of illness, and losing another to injury part way through the first quarter, the Falcons struggled to keep pace and dropped a 56-21 game to the Bobcats.
“You have to really be at the top of your game to give (Brethren) a run this year,” said Pentwater coach Joe Gorton. “Being extremely shorthanded and undersized hurt us, because both girls were post players. That said, I thought we played phenomenal defense, and broke the press well. We kept the game close for much of the first half, and had a couple of good looks fallen, we would have been right in it.
“I’m incredibly proud of how my girls fought, and it was exciting to see some young players step up.”
Although the Falcons couldn’t get any offense generated in the first quarter, they still only trailed by six, 8-2. The Falcons fell into a 28-12 halftime lead, and were shutout in the third, 12-0 for a 40-12 deficit after three.
Sam Schaefer led the Falcons with a solid all-around game with nine points, seven rebounds, three steals and three assists.
Karina Olivarez followed with six points. Aubrie Adams had three rebounds and two steals, Charlie Swanger pulled down six rebounds and had two steals and Mandi Sayles had five rebounds.
The loss drops Pentwater to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the conference, with a non-conference home game scheduled Thursday with Marion.
