GRAND RAPIDS – The old saying that defense wins championships may seem cliché, but on Friday night it was obviously the case when the Muskegon girls basketball team defeated Kenowa Hills 70-41 in the Division 1 district finals at Kenowa Hills High School.

“We’re expected to play this caliber of basketball,” said Muskegon head coach Bernard Loudermill, whose youthful team forced 28 Kenowa Hills turnovers, including nine in the pivotal fourth quarter. “We’re growing up and maturing as a team. They made great decisions.”

Many Kenowa Hills turnovers turned into easy layups, which helped Muskegon freshman Mariah Sain net 10 of her game-high 25 points in the fourth quarter.

“It’s really impressive,” Loudermill said about Sain. “She did a great job of controlling her emotions and just controlling the basketball as well.”

Muskegon’s Ty’Veonna Davis brings the ball up the court. Photo/Tyler Lirones. 

The Big Reds, who finished in second place in the O-K Green conference in the regular season, regrouped to win a district championship trophy in Coach Loudermill’s first season on the bench.

Muskegon, 17-7 and the winner of six straight games, now advances to play in next week’s Division 1 regionals, hosted by Mona Shores. The Big Reds will play Byron Center on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

“They better enjoy tonight,” said Loudemill, who was drenched by his team with water after the victory. “They’ll have some running in practice tomorrow when I get my ‘get back.’ We’ll make sure they enjoy the moment tonight and then lock back in to prepare for the next opponent.”

The game was tight in the first quarter and Muskegon led 14-13 at the first buzzer, behind eight points from senior Ty’Veonna Davis.

Muskegon’s Kennedi Loudermill takes a shot. Photo/Tyler Lirones.

Muskegon began to create some space in the second quarter, outscoring Kenowa Hills 14-7 behind five points apiece from Davis and Bre’Asia Gamble-Jones to take a 28-20 halftime lead.

Each team scored 12 points in the third quarter and the Big Reds led 40-32 headed into the fourth. Sain led Muskegon with six points in the third.

Muskegon put an exclamation point on the victory in the fourth quarter, piling up 30 points, giving up just nine, and cruising to the district championship.

Muskegon coach Bernard Loudermill is drenched with water by his players after the victory. Photo/Tyler Lirones

“The big turning point was their main ballhandler fouling out,” Loudermill said about the fourth quarter. “We wanted to make sure we put them in a position to get them under pressure and get some easy buckets off turnovers.”

Davis finished with 17 points for Muskegon and Gamble-Jones had 16.

“It doesn’t feel real,” Sain said.  “To have 25 points in a district final is a big deal. I’m thankful and I thank God for it.”