Weekend roundup: WMC boys hand Orchard View first loss; Folkema scores new school record
Mar. 13—Scores from the weekend's local high school sports action:
Grand Haven
Boys basketball: Facing a trip to Grandville, the Buccaneers needed a win to stay in the O-K Red championship conversation. Instead, they lost to the Bulldogs for the second time this season, dropping a 66-49 contest.
They'll travel to Hudsonville on Tuesday before a regular season finale against East Kentwood on Thursday.
Hockey: Two second-period goals sunk the Bucs on the road Friday night, as Grand Haven dropped a vital contest to Hudsonville 2-1. Gavin Cunningham's pass found Braden Nielsen for the senior to give the Bucs a first-period lead, but the Eagles answered with two goals in the second period.
Aiden Steele made 27 saves for the Bucs, who play Kenowa Hills at 5 p.m. Saturday at Lakeshore Ice Arena.
Spring Lake
Girls basketball: Free-throw shooting in overtime boosted the Lakers to a 37-32 win against Hudsonville Unity Christian on Saturday morning.
Jennifer Judge and Nicole Schmitt both had 10 points for the Lakers, with Meah Bajt adding nine points. Schmitt hit all four of her free throw attempts in OT. Zoe Walters added six points and six rebounds for the Lakers, who moved above the Crusaders in the O-K Blue standings.
Spring Lake will travel to Allendale on Tuesday.
Western Michigan Christian
Boys basketball: A double-double from Owen Varnado helped the Warriors top Orchard View at home on Friday, winning 57-50. The Cardinals entered Friday undefeated and ranked No. 10 in the AP's Division 2 poll.
"We needed this win to give ourselves a chance to compete for a conference championship," coach Kurt Gruppen said. "The guys really stepped up and performed well for 32 minutes. I was proud of the way we stuck together when OV went on a run in the first and second half."
Varnado had 19 points and 12 rebounds, while senior Brekken Fairfield scored 14 points for WMC. They travel to Ludington on Tuesday before playing at Tri-Unity Christian on Thursday.
Girls basketball: A school-record 40 points from Taylor Folkema helped WMC blow out Orchard View by a 88-11 scoreline.
"Taylor shot the ball really well tonight and made 4 three pointers," coach Jeremy Goorman said. "We have a very difficult week coming up against Ludington and Grand River Prep. Those games will get us ready for the postseason."
Folkema added eight steals and six rebounds, while juniors Kyla and Maddie Wiersema both scored 11 points. Their Tuesday game against Ludington will serve both as a senior night and a chance to split the Lakes Eight conference title with a win.
Fruitport Calvary Christian
The Eagles broke their own school record on Friday night, beating West Michigan Lutheran 89-46 to set a new single-game points record.
Leading Calvary Christian (7-6, 4-3) was Bradley Richards with 21 points and 10 rebounds, Braden Cohea with 17 points and 11 rebounds, Braden Swanson with 14 points, and Ethan Cammenga with 11 points.
"Our boys are playing very unselfishly on offense, really starting to take pride in their defense, and we are seeing actual rebounding. It's been a quick journey this season jam packed with games — our coaches love these guys and we have a chance going into districts," said Calvary coach Brad Richards. "We aren't going to back down from anyone, these kids are now fighters and fearless."
Calvary takes on rival Holland Calvary in a home game on Tuesday.
