A short-handed Martin girls’ basketball team absorbed its first loss of the season Tuesday in a 33-31 nail-biter at West Michigan Christian.
Coach Ben Schipper and his assistant were out due to sickness and two starters were idled because of injury. Assistant coach Josh Wedge and junior varsity coach Heidi Hildebrand took the reins and almost pulled out the victory.
“We were down two and had a good look around the basket with about 10 seconds left that didn’t go for us and they were able to run the clock out as we didn’t get a foul,” Schipper said. “The girls stood tall to face a lot of adversity tonight.”
Sophomore Macy Thorne and freshman Marybeth Ritchie both scored eight points for the Lady Clippers. Avery Jager, Cirsten Coburn and Makala Goddard had five points apiece.
Coach Heidi Hildebrand said, “Avery and Marybeth worked very hard underneath in the second half to keep the game close. We were dealing with injuries and sickness tonight so it was a tough one.”
Coach Josh Wedge remarked, “It was a hard and close battle. The girls gave their everything. They have a lot of good things coming their way this season if they keep up this level of play.”
