Rams ousted in district semi-final
There’s a reason the MHSAA rated the G-A Division 3 District as the toughest in the state with four of the five teams sporting winning records.
On March 5th two of those teams faced off in a semi-final match. The host Rams of G-A took on the state ranked Irish of Hackett Catholic Prep, with Hackett prevailing 49-24.
G-A held a 7-5 lead half way through the first period before Hackett went on an 8-0 run to finish with a 13-7 lead after one.
The second quarter started out slowly for both teams but the Irish defensive pressure forced the Rams into several turnovers, allowing Hackett to go on a 12-0 run that put them up 29-11 at halftime.
In the third period the teams traded baskets with the Irish outscoring the Rams thanks to a pair of three pointers by freshman center Lucy Young.
The pace of the game slowed to a crawl in the final quarter. Hackett held a slim 8-5 scoring advantage, but it was more than enough to put them into the District championship game with a 49-24 win.
G-A finished the season with a 15-8 record, its best record in several years.
Jaidyn Klimp lead the Rams in scoring with 16 points to go with 13 rebounds. She finished her career with 1214 points and 665 rebounds. both G-A records.
The Rams say goodbye to five seniors who played their last game for G-A. Hailee Themins, Lilian Thompson, Holley Coburn, Jaidyn Klimp and Rhyann Wilson were all valuable contributors to the success of the Rams basketball program.
Kalamazoo Hackett Prep 13 16 12 8 - 49
Galesburg-Augusta 7 4 8 5 - 24
Grace Gibson 2, Lilli Thompson 2, Jaidyn Klimp 16, Jeni Klimp 2, Rhyann Wilson 2
Free throw shooting: G-A 4-8/Hackett 3-9
3-point baskets: G-A 0/Hackett 4 (Lucy Young 2, Leah Smith 2)
Rebounds: Jaidyn Klimp 13, Rhyann Wilson 6, Ellesa Callender 5, Lillian Thompson 4, Grace Gibson 4
Steals: Jaidyn Klimp 2
Rams Top Colts in District Opener
In the District tournament game played at Galesburg-Augusta High School on Monday, March 3rd, it was the host Rams easily dispatching Comstock 58-19.
The Rams (15-7) took on the Irish of Hackett High School on March 5th in the second round of play. For the Colts (1-22, 1-16), the season has ended.
After leading 18-6 after one quarter the Rams outscored the Colts 22-3 in the second period for a commanding 40-9 halftime lead. Seven different Rams scored in the first half with Grace Gibson, 10, Jenisyn Klimp, 8, Jaidyn Klimp 7, Ellesa Callender, 6 and Hailee Themins, 5 leading the scoring.
The G-A defense registered 19 steals in the first half with many of them leading to quick scores.
Jaidyn Klimp was the leading scorer with 11 points to go with 8 rebounds and 7 steals. Gibson finished the game with 10 points. Jenisyn Klimp had 9 points, Themins 8, and Callender and Addison Born each had 6 points.
The offense also registered a season low with just 7 turnovers.
District Tournament at Galesburg-Augusta
Comstock 6 3 5 5 - 19
Galesburg-Augusta 18 22 14 4 - 58
Grace Gibson 10, Hailee Themins 10, Lilli Thompson 2, Jaidyn Klimp 11, Jeni Klimp 9, Addi Born 6, Ellesa Callender 6, Brooklyn James 2, Rhyann Wilson 2, Emily Caldwell 2
Free throws: G-A 7-18/Comstock 4-10
3-point baskets: G-A 3 (Grace Gibson 1, Hailee Themins 1, Jaidyn Klimp 1)/Comstock 1 (T. Hagenbuch 1)
Rebounds: Jaidyn Klimp 8, Breanne Keene 5, Jeni Klimp 4, Brooklyn James 3
Assists: Rhyann Wilson 2, Brooklyn James 2, Jeni Klimp 2, Lillian Thompson 2, Hailee Themins 2
Steals: Jaidyn Klimp 7, Ellesa Callender 7, Addison Born 4
Three Lady Rams earn All-SAC
Central Division honors
At the S.A.C. coaches meeting on March 1st, eight ladies were chosen for All-SAC first team honors in the Central Division. In addition eight more ladies received All-SAC Honorable Mention.
Undefeated Saugatuck placed three girls on the All-Division team. They were Mylah Simpson, Natalia Laskowski and Kennedy Gustafson.
Second place Galesburg-Augusta landed two girls on the All-Division team. They were Jaidyn Klimp and Grace Gibson. Sydni Smith of Holland Black River, Avery Jager of Martin and Kylee Killeen of Gobles rounded out the first team selections.
Penelope Grob of Saugatuck, Lili Thompson of G-A, Addie Stampfler and Josie Williams of Delton, Delyla Martinez and Melanie Alferink of Holland Black River, Marybeth Ritchie and Macy Thorne of Martin and Daisy Jackson of Gobles each received Honorable Mention.
This is the first time junior Grace Gibson has received All-SAC recognition. She was selected for 1st team honors. For senior Lili Thompson this marks the second time she has earned honorable mention honors. Senior Jaidyn Klimp has been an All-SAC selection four times. She was honorable mention as a freshman and 1st Team her sophomore, junior and senior seasons.
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