By John Raffel
MATTAWAN — Mattawan tipped off the 2025-26 girls basketball campaign at home with a 61-44 win over Paw Paw on Dec. 8.
Mattawan jumped out to a 20-9 first quarter lead led by Caitlin Ryan’s six points.
Stella Shaefer led Paw Paw with 29 points including 10 second quarter points to make the score 33-23 at half.
Charlotte Douglass scored nine third-quarter points to extend the Mattawan lead to 46-29 at the end of three.
Shaefer had 13 fourth quarter points, including 3 threes, but Mattawan was able to hold off the Red Wolves 61-44.
Douglass led Mattawan with 22, followed by Ryan’s 10 points, seven assists and five steals. Annemarie Pelak scored nine and had nine rebounds and Savannah Waterlander 8 to help lead Mattawan to the season opening win.
On Tuesday, December 9 at Mattawan, Mattawan fell to Portage Northern 36-32 on a cold shooting night for both teams. Maliyah Flowers led PN with 17 points including eight in the second quarter. PN extended its lead to 32-20 before Mattawan rallied to make it 35-32 with under two minutes remaining. Charlotte Douglass led Mattawan with 12 points and 14 rebounds, while Chloe Nellenbach had 7. Caitlin Ryan had 9 steals on the night.
Friday, December 12 at Battle Creek Central, Mattawan jumped out to an early 15-8 lead after one-quarter led by Caitlin Ryan’s six 1st quarter points, but BC Central responded with a 14-8 second quarter. The second half was a one-possession game throughout, until K. Guest extended the lead to four on free throws with under a minute left to conclude the scoring for both teams, BCC won 41-37.
Caitlin Ryan (M) led all scorers with 14 points followed by Taylor Bernardi’s 8 points. BC Central was led by Mosley and Caldwell with 10 points apiece.
Mattawan is now 1-2 (0-2 in league) and hosts Berrien Springs and St. Joe this week.
