The undefeated Wayland girls’ varsity basketball team made it 16 in a row Friday night 
with a 69-39 triumph over visiting Middleville Thornapple Kellogg.
Coach Marty Howard’s Wildcats, ranked No. 2 in this week’s Class B state-wide poll, behind Midland Bullock Creek, made it look easy in the first eight minutes by taking command of a 23-9 advantage. They went into a bit of a funk in the second quarter, scoring only two points in the first five minutes and allowing TK to close the gap to single digits, 25-16, but then senior guard Caroline Miller nailed a three and senior point guard Presley Hudson swished two more bombs and the ‘Cats were up 37-23 at intermission.
Middleville threw a zone defense at Wayland, with junior Mackayla King tailing Hudson everywhere she went. The strategy didn’t really work, as Hudson nailed three threes and junior guard-forward Ali Cutler scored 10 points in the first half alone.
Wayland then came out in the third quarter with a 22-6 run to dash any dreams of a Trojan upset.
Hudson finished with 13 points, as did Miller. Cutler collected 12 and Morgan Winger scored all nine of her points in the second half after spending most of the first half on the bench because of foul trouble. Ali Martus chipped in eight points to the balanced attack.
The Lady Wildcats will be at home for a nonleague contest against Mattawan at 7:30 Tuesday and then Friday will be at Grand Rapids Catholic Central for a return showdown match between two of the greatest Class B powers in West Michigan. Wayland won the first one by one point in double overtime.
PHOTO: Caroline (C.J.) Miller (24) scored 13 points in Wayland’s easy win over Middleville Friday night.
