MLive Grand Rapids this week tabbed Rockford as one of the top five Grand Rapids area girls’ basketball teams to watch this season.

Perhaps sports writer Steve Kaminski was a bit too optimistic about the Rams, or perhaps he overlooked Wayland. Or perhaps Rockford doesn’t function very well without starting junior guard Madeline Watters, who was missing from the lineup Tuesday night in the season opener at Wayland.

Whatever the reason, the host Wildcats pinned a 59-44 drubbing on Rockford in a game that was not as close as the final score might indicate. Wayland shot out to a 15-2 lead in the first seven minutes and 59 seconds and mounted a 32-15 advantage at the half.

It was classic helter-skelter, hurry-scurry basketball fans have come to expect from coach Marty Howard. The Wildcats’ tenacious and aggressive full-court pressure defense made it difficult if not near impossible for Rockford to launch a decent shot at the basket.

Wayland was able to pick up steals with pressure defense and the inside presence of near six-footers Sydney Ritz, Hope Dollarhide and Makaylah Donewald bothered the smaller Rams. It was only because of a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer that Rockford had as many as five points at the end of the first quarter.

The Wildcats, with Howard substituting liberally throughout, did not relent. They extended their lead to 20 points before finally settling on a 17-point cushion at intermission.

The ball hawking and backcourt play of three-year senior starters Ali Cutler and Ali Martus made a huge difference and the ‘Cats unveiled a new offensive threat with the three-point shooting of senior guard Karli Warning.

Things really got sloppy near the end and Wayland, after being up by as many as 23 points midway in the final period, let the Rams creep to within the 15-point final margin.

The Wildcats were guilty of not finishing on drives to the hoop and they occasionally had lapses on rebounding. They also were guilty of 19 fouls, but a lot of observers would suggest that’s to be expected with such an aggressive defense.

Warning nailed three threes and paced the Wildcats’ attack with 13 points, Cutler added an even dozen, Ritz had eight and Martus and Bethany Teunissen both dropped in seven points.

Sophomore guard Kayla Wildman topped Rockford with 18 points and Zoe Anderson added eight.

By the way, MLive Grand Rapids also tabbed Wyoming as another of the top five teams to watch this season. The Wolves will be host to Wayland this Friday evening.

PHOTO: Wayland senior inside player Hope Dollarhide (4) battles Tiana Colovos for a rebound while teammate Karly Warning (2) watches.

Ali Cutler (12) drives for a layup, two of her 12 points in the season opener. (Photo courtesy Kenny Ritz)