Martin has the hono
r of commencing the winter sports season with its girls’ basketball opener at Schoolcraft Tuesday evening, Nov. 29, and the Hastings and Hopkins ladies both will make their debuts Friday in home contests.
The Lady Clippers were defeated 38-22 Tuesday night, but details were not available.
Wayland’s season opener at home, against former O-K Gold Conference rival Hastings, also will serve as the varsity coaching debut of Wes Hudson, former all-stater and all-NAIA player at Cornerstone University, son of boys’ varsity coach Mike Hudson and brother of all-state standout Presley Hudson. The Lady Wildcats lost all of their top six players from last year, so Hudson will begin the task of rebuilding the once-proud Wayland girls’ program.
Hastings defeated Wayland twice last season, a rare achievement, but the Saxons had a top-flight player in Maddie Dailey, who has graduated. Hastings now plays in a different league altogether.
The top returning player for the Lady Wildcats is senior Taryn Coughlin, who saw a lot of action last year because of a string of injuries to starters. Another veteran will be sophomore Kennedy Helderop, who was pulled up from the junior varsity because of those injuries and she gained a lot of experience as well.
Hopkins will commence its season at home Friday evening with a non-league ballgame against Grand Rapids West Catholic. The Vikings will be counting on the inside play of junior center Meghan Schulz, backcourt play from senior Heidi Gilder and forward Taryn Kilbane.
Coach John Robinson is beginning his second year at the helm of a team that showed a lot of improvement near the end of last season.
The boys’ seasons always start later than the girls. Hopkins will debut Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Maple Valley. Wayland will open on the road at Caledonia Tuesday, Dec. 13, before joining the I-96 Challenge the following weekend at Ottawa Hills. Martin’s season opener will be at home Tuesday, Dec. 6, against Saugatuck.
PHOTOS: Taryn Coughlin Meghan Schulz
