The Martin girls’ varsity basketball team is off to a 3-0 start, but the Wayland and Hopkins squads both stand at 1-2.
Martin claimed its third straight win Tuesday with a 40-35 revenge victory over Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep, which last March ended the Lady Clippers’ season in the district finals, 25-21.
Martin defeated Hackett once during the regular season last year before bowing to the Irish in the district finals. Hackett successfully limited top Martin scorer Makala Goddard to just four points last March, but this time she netted eight and her teammates stepped up offensively.
“I’m so proud of the girls tonight for this gritty win,:” said coach Ben Schipper. “It was an incredibly physical game. One where we got flustered often early, leading to many unforced turnovers. But these nine girls persevered, played above the frustrations, and pulled it together and played with composure the final stretch when it was a two-point game.”
The Clippers trailed 17-16 at the half and came from behind to win a tight ballgame.
“We hit timely threes in the second half and hit our two free throws at the end to seal the game,” Schipper said. “It was such a team effort.
Martin’s scoring was balanced. Seven of the girls scored with four players over seven.
“We knew Hackett was going to try and make Makala a non-factor,” the coach said. “Our hunch was right and they full court denied her the entire game. She played all 32 minutes gutsy minutes and kept her composure the whole way.”
Goddard led the team with eight points along with Avery Jager who also had eight. Macy Thorne and Liz Reinke each had seven, Marybeth Ritchie and Alley Bacon had four each and Torryn Harris had two.
“Every girl played so hard tonight, but I want to call out the girls who provided ball pressure on Hackett’s guards all night long,” Schipper said. “Our focus was to heat them up full court and we did that with Makala, Liz, Alley and Torryn. Marybeth, Avery, and Liz battled all night with Hackett’s powerful inside presence and we got the stops at the end when we needed them.”
Wayland came up short 47-36 against the always tough Grand Rapids West Catholic. And Hopkins lost 36-33 to defending district champion Hamilton.
Wayland was guilty of turning the ball over too often against a quality opponent. Hamony Laker and Addy Sikorski both scored 13 points to lead the Lady Wildcats, but none of the remaining team members came up with more than three points. Laker and Laney Wolf both drilled a three, but that is all the ‘Cats could manage in that department.
Hopkins took a slight lead in the opening quarter with Hamilton. The Lady Vikings and Lady Hawkeyes engaged in a tight battle the rest of the way.
The Vikings will take on Hastings in another non-league encounter Friday.
