by Ben Murphy
Sports Writer
Lady Red Wolves get key win over Otsego
The Paw Paw girls basketball team was able to pick up a big Wolverine Conference North Division win over Otsego on Friday, 46-43. The victory puts the Red Wolves in sole possession of first place.
Taylor Ricki had 16 points to lead the way, and she was a perfect six-of-six from the free throw line, including four-of-four in the fourth. Katelyn Baney had 10 points and nine rebounds and Addison Roy added 11 rebounds.
On Tuesday, Jan. 18 the Red Wolves took down host Allegan, 56-42.
Baney had a 17 point 12 rebound performance, Roy had 12 points and eight boards and Grace Mitchell had 13 points.
Paw Paw (8-2 overall, 4-0 Wolverine North) was at home against Dowagiac on Tuesday, plays at Plainwell on Friday and hosts Vicksburg on Thursday.
Paw Paw boys still searching for first win after losses to Otsego, Lakeshore
The Paw Paw boys basketball team played close with visiting Otsego on Friday, in a Wolverine Conference North contest. The Red Wolves still weren’t able to pick up their first win though, falling 49-38.
Max Crawaford led the team with 10 points and Ashton Toliver was able to chip in with nine points.
On Tuesday, Jan. 18 Paw Paw lost to host Stevensville Lakeshore in a league game, 62-22.
Joe Miller paced the Red Wolves in this one with nine points.
Paw Paw (0-10 overall, 0-7 Wolverine North) played at Dowagiac on Tuesday, plays in Plainwell on Friday and hosts Niles Brandywine Tuesday.
Mattawan girls slip by Gull Lake, 40-39
Mattawan used a solid defensive effort to top host Gull Lake on Thursday. The Lady Wildcats held Gull Lake from breaking free all night, allowing them to narrowly escape with a 40-39 victory.
Delaney Elsmore had a big game with 25 points, three rebounds and three steals, Adelaide Douglass had 10 points and 12 rebounds and Yasmin Pirbhai tracked down nine rebounds.
“Another great game between two good teams,” head coach Chad Conklin said of the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference game. “We had a great defensive effort holding them to just 39 points and 22-percent shooting. Elsmore had a great game scoring the ball. She made five three pointers on her way to 25 points.”
On Tuesday, Jan. 18 Mattawan lost a home league game with St. Joseph, 55-48.
“Great game between two good teams,” Conklin said. “St. Joe did a nice job of limiting their turnovers and getting easy baskets in transition.”
Peyton Wright led the Wildcats with 15 points, seven rebounds and three steals and Elsmore added 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Mattawan (6-4 overall, 5-3 SWMAC) played at home against Kalamazoo Central on Tuesday, stays at home against Portage Northern on Friday and stays at home to play Portage Central on Thursday.
Mattawan boys play to win over Plainwell
The Mattawan boys basketball team made the trip to Plainwell on Tuesday, Jan. 18. The Wildcats returned with a 58-43 Southwest Michigan Athletic Conference victory.
“Our press really gave them fits to start the game,” head coach Josh Brown said. “It helped us run out to a 15-5 lead early and really helped us fly around and get comfortable in the game as the lead never got within six. Ryan Kiesling really dominated inside and Noah Vanlaningham got going again with three threes made and finished with 13 points.
Mattawan (4-6 overall, SWMAC) played at Kalamazoo Central on Tuesday, is in Portage Northern on Thursday and heads to Charlotte Tuesday.
Lawton boys bounce back, tame Coloma 47-38
Three days after a tough loss to Watervliet, the Lawton boys basketball team was able to bounce back with a key Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore win over visiting Coloma Friday, 47-38.
Chase Mitchell led the Blue Devils with 20 points and Cooper Geib netted nine.
On Tuesday, Jan, 18 it was a 63-47 conference loss to host Watervliet.
Jake Rueff was able to score 14 points in this one while Mitchell knocked down 12 points.
Lawton (7-2 overall, 6-1 SWAC Lakeshore) was at home against South Haven on Tuesday, hosts Constantine Friday and heads to Martin on Tuesday.
Lawrence girls struggle in loss to league leading Bridgman
The Lawrence girls basketball team played a BCS White game at league-leading Bridgman on Thursday. The Lady Tigers weren’t able to pull off the upset, as they returned home with a 52-18 setback.
Kaylee Stroud led the team with 10 points.
Lawrence (6-4 overall, 3-2 BCS White) was at home against Lawton on Tuesday, hosts Kalamazoo Heritage Christian on Friday and plays at St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic on Monday.
Lawrence boys breeze by Black River 45-26
The Lawrence boys basketball team was able to pick up a non-league win at Black River on Friday, 45-26.
The Tigers led 9-4 after the first quarter and held margins of 22-8 and 38-20 after the other quarter breaks.
Leading the way in the win was Donvan Sikes with 12 points, Bol Bak had 10 points, John Schuman scored nine, Andy Bowen netted eight, Christian Smith scored three, Mauricio Mancera added two and Masen Leighton had one.
On Tuesday, Jan. 18, Lawrence lost to BCS White leading New Buffalo, 84-35.
It was 9-9 after the first quarter, but New Buffalo dominated things from there, holding a 37-14 lead at the half and 56-26 margin entering the fourth.
Mancera led the Panthers with eight points and with five points each was Leighton, Schuman and Zander Payment.
Lawrence (3-5 overall, 1-5 BCS White) hosts Covert on Friday and stays at home Tuesday to take on Lake Michigan Catholic.
Gobles boys come up short against Coloma
The Gobles boys basketball team hosted Coloma on Friday, in a home Southwestern Athletic Conference Lakeshore game. The Tigers came up short in the contest though, 52-39.
“We started a little slow in the first and second half,” head coach Scott Sherrod said. “We scored five in the first and allowed 19 in the third. Looking back, we keep playing great defensive basketball and now we just have to find a rhythm offensively. We are growing as a team and we know our target has always been to peak in the second half of the year moving towards districts.”
Nick Lopez led the team with 15 points and Tristan Harbaugh netted eight.
Gobles (1-7 overall, 1-5 SWAC Lakeshore) hosted Constantine on Monday, is at home to take on Fennville Friday and makes the trip to Saugatuck on Tuesday.
