Ram Sports

Comets end Rams district run


By Dale Martin

The Kalamazoo Christian Comets dominated both ends of the floor in a 67 to 23 win over Galesburg-Augusta’s lady Rams in the district semifinals at Kalamazoo Christian March 6.

G-A completes the season with a 9-15 record..

The Comets had runs of nine and ten points in the first quarter while limiting the Rams to just two baskets by Jaidyn Klimp and a Maureen McBride free throw. The quarter ended with the Rams trailing 22 to 5.

Christian kept the pressure on in the second period. They scored the first seven points and finished with a nine point run to extend their lead to 40 to 12 at halftime. The Rams were limited to a triple by Mya Erskin, an inside basket by Klimp and two free throws from Lili Thompson. G-A(9-16) was held to 9% shooting in the half.

G-A’s Rhyann Wilson converted a pair of steals into layups in the third quarter to go along with a free throw and Klimp added another basket and free throw but it wasn’t enough as the Comets finished the quarter with four triples, they made nine altogether, as they extended their lead to 59 to 20 after three.

The Comets finished the game outscoring the Rams 8 to 3 in the fourth quarter. Kalamazoo Christian took a 23-1 record into the regionals after defeating Kalamazoo Hackett in the District Finals 65-32.

Jordyn Bonnema led the Comets in scoring with 20 points. Elli Van Dusen finished with 19 and Lily Manion finished with 14. Jaidyn Klimp led the Rams with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Rhyann Wilson finished with 5 points and 3 steals.

Editor’s note: Thank you to Dale Martin for providing recaps and statistics after each G-A girls varsity basketball game.

Galesburg-Augusta      5   7  8 3 - 23
Kalamazoo Christian 22 18 19 8 - 67
Mya Erskin 3, Lillian Thompson 2, Jaidyn Klimp 10, Maureen McBride 3, Rhyann Wilson 5
Free throws: G-A 6-11
3-point baskets: G-A 1 (Mya Erskin 1)

G-A Stat Leaders

Rebounds: Jaidyn Klimp 8, Grace Gibson 3, Brooklyn James 3
Steals: Jaidyn Klimp 4, Rhyann Wilson 3
Blocked shots: Grace Gibson 2

Central Division All-Stars named


By Dale Martin

Two members of the Galesburg-Augusta girls varsity basketball team were named to the SAC Central Division All-Star team released recently.

On March 2nd the SAC Central Division coaches met to vote for the Girls Basketball All-Division players for the 2023-24 season. Sixteen girls were nominated for honors. The coaches voted with the top eight girls receiving All-Division status and the remaining eight girls receiving Honorable Mention status.

The eight girls receiving All-Division honors were Brook Simpson, Mylah Simpson and Kennedy Gustafson of Division Champion Saugatuck. Kennadi Killeen and Daisy Jackson of Gobles, Makala Goddard and Avery Jager of Martin and Jaidyn Klimp of Galesburg-Augusta rounded out the All-Division team.

Receiving Honorable Mention were Lilianna Thompson of Galesburg-Augusta, Josie Williams and Addie Stampfler of Delton-Kellogg, Elizabeth Reinke of Martin, Charlotte Zantello of Gobles, Melanie Alforink and Sydni Smith of Holland Black River and Jenn Schock of Saugatuck.

(Photo by Dale Martin)