LocalSportsJournal.com
NEWAYGO – The Fremont girls basketball team claimed their first Division 2 district title since 2009 with a 49-40 win over Grant on Friday.
For the first time since 1978, the Packers won a conference and district title in the same year.
Jessica Bennett helped propel the Packers with a triple-double of 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks.
The Tigers opened with a hot hand and led 20-11 after the first half.
“We are notorious for getting off to slow starts all season long, but we took it to a new level tonight,” said Fremont coach Pete Zerfas. “We didn’t score until 1:30 or so to go in the first quarter and trailed 11-1.”
However, the Packers warmed up and used a full-court press and gained momentum from a cheering crowd to battle back to tie the game by the fourth quarter.
The Packers continued to cruise and outscored the Tigers 20-11 and grabbed the victory.
“Our girls are just resilient and have no quit,” said Zerfas. “I am so proud of them for not giving up or hanging their heads when we were down at least 14 points early. We have so many that contributed throughout the game.”
Riley Chase scored 12 points and had eight steals, while Taylor DeKuiper added nine points, 12 rebounds and seven steals. Khaila Noordyk threw in six rebounds before leaving with a knee injury.
Fremont (20-4) will travel to Sparta at 7 p.m. Monday to face Spring Lake in the regional semifinal.
“In the locker room after our loss to Spring Lake in the regular season, I told the girls if they worked hard, worked together and trusted what I was going to teach them, we would see them again in regionals,” Zerfas said. “Not sure if they believed me then, but here we come.”
Grant closed out the season 15-7.
