Wayland’s walking wounded warriors on the varsity girls’ basketball team were no match Friday night for Grand Rapids Catholic Central, one of the top 10 Class B teams in the state.
The Lady Wildcats were down to just seven players at the end of a 70-44 defeat.
Senior guard Ali Cutler did not play because of an injury and was observed limping painfully during timeouts. Senior guard Karli Warning joined the disabled list by suffering an ankle injury just past midway through the ballgame.
Add junior Bethany Teunissen, who sustained a knee injury a couple of weeks ago, McKenzey Kasper, who is out because of concussions and McKaylah Donewald, who is no longer listed on the team roster.
The available numbers actually went down to six near the end of the contest because Ali Martus fouled out.
Catholic central wasted no time in turning this game into a rout, running out to a 45-18 advantage at the half. The Cougards led by as many as 35 points midway in the third period.
Sydney Ritz scored 13 points to lead the Lady Wildcats, Martus finished with a dozen and Hope Dollarhide chipped in nine.
Kyra Bussell dropped in 18 points for Catholic Central, Jo Anne Torres had 11 Sophia Karasinski added 10 and Tess Ens eight.
The Wayland girls, now 8-8 overall for the season, will join the boys in playing a non-league contest at Mattawan Tuesday.
PHOTOS: Smiling through the pain of their injuries are Ali Cutler (left) and Karly Warning.
Sydney Ritz scored 13 points for Wayland Friday night against Catholic Central. (Photo courtesy of Kenny Ritz)
