LocalSportsJournal.com
The weather did not cooperate for school to be in session on Tuesday, but that didn’t deter Whitehall from hosting Western Michigan Christian in a non-league girls basketball matchup.
WMC came out on top with a 59-52 win over the Vikings in an important game for both teams as the winter has been chipping away at area teams’ 22-game schedules.
WMC’s Ashley Folkema. Photo/Leo Valdez
“It was kind of nice to play a game after having a cancelled game last night (vs. Martin),” said Warrior coach Sarah Koetsier. “I was a little worried that we would not have a game tonight. Plus, our game this Friday night got cancelled. So I was really hoping on tonight, to get a game in this week.” Wellspring Prep does not have enough players to field a team.
On Tuesday, the Warriors fought off a pesky Whitehall squad that battled back from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit.
Lexi Daggett’s 3-pointer with four minutes left brought the Vikings to within 50-47. That was as close as Whitehall would get as WMC hit key free throws down the stretch.
“It’s nice to win, I’m kind of in the spot to get lots of steals and I practice my free throws every day in practice,” said Folkema. “We’re glad we got to play today. Games definitely get us better than just practicing all the time. We were all hoping we’d get to play today.”
WMC used a tough 3/4 court press throughout the game and built an early 12-6 lead in the first quarter into a 29-18 lead at halftime. The Warriors held a 41-34 edge entering the final quarter.
Lexi Daggett dribbles with pressure from WMC’s Hannah Heiss. Photo/Leo Valdez
Hannah Heiss was the added difference maker for the Warriors as the junior forward dropped in 18 points. Kate Derdowski added 12 points.
“Hannah did a great job tonight, she just has that eye for those steals and those quick feet and she has a great touch off the glass, so it’s that added surprise I don’t think teams see coming,” said Koetsier. “She (Heiss) just does those little things that spark us and keep us going.”
Whitehall was led by Daggett with 17 points while Clare Westerlund scored 11 points. Kendall Osborne finished with seven points.
“The girls played 32 minutes probably for the first time all year tonight so that was great,” said Whitehall coach Denis Koegel. “We got down a little bit and the natural desire is to kind of sit back a little bit, but they didn’t. They fought for 32 minutes which was great to see.”
Whitehall (3-8) next hosts Montague on Friday while WMC (6-2) will host Spring Lake next Tuesday.
Whitehall’s Kendall Osborne reaches for the ball against WMC’s Tressa Arkema (22). Photo/Leo Valdez
Hannah Heiss (11) goes in for a reverse layup against Whitehall’s Allie Van Antwerp. Photo/Leo Valdez
Kate Derdowski (15) dribbles for WMC. Photo/Leo Valdez
Ashley Folkema reaches for a rebound over Whitehall’s Taylor Ottinger (22). Photo/Leo Valdez
Whitehall’s Lexi Daggett blocks the shot of Hannah Heiss. Photo/Leo Valdez
