HUDSONVILLE — Last season the Hudsonville girls basketball team rolled to a 24-1 record and the program’s first state championship.
With a lot of last year’s team back for this year’s squad, the Eagles picked up right where they left off on Friday night.
The defending champs began their title defense with a dominant home victory over Mona Shores, 72-33, in a rematch of a regional semifinal game from last year.
[1]“I loved our intensity,” Hudsonville Coach Casey Class said of his team’s effort. “I loved our defensive pressure. We let our defense dictate what we did on offense. It helps when you’re shooting the ball well, too.”
Eleven different players scored for the Eagles, including four in double-figures. All-State guard Jaci Tubergen led the way with 16 points, followed by Ella Reifschneider with 15 and Ellery Baker and Maddie Petroelje with 12 each.
“We have a team where anybody can step up at any point,” Glass said. “Jaci had a good game tonight, Ella Reifschneider played really well, Ellery Baker, same thing. Petroelje is always a threat.
“I thought we played a really good team game, we shared the ball really well. That’s what we need to do to win.”
[2]After Mona Shores made a three-pointer to open the scoring in the game, Hudsonville went on a 13-0 run to take control and never let up. The Eagles led 21-13 after one quarter and 37-17 at halftime.
Despite a big halftime lead, Glass’ squad came out with intensity after the break, beginning the third quarter on an 11-0 run spanning just two minutes.
“That’s really important,” Glass said of the fast start to the second half. “I think if you take your foot off the gas or let down at all, all of a sudden you let teams back in. I thought we did a good job of coming out in the second half with that intensity and playing our style of basketball.”
The Eagles led 60-28 after the third quarter and outscored Mona Shores 12-5 in the final frame.
With the loss, Mona Shores falls to 1-1 in the early season. Ali Phillips scored eight points off the bench to lead the Sailors. Khaleeya Cook and Mia Brown scored six each, while Olivia Sobczak added five points.
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