By Mike Moll
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org
Behind the scoring of Lizzie Wolthuis and Sophia Prins, with 18 apiece, South Christian grabbed a 67-38 win over host Otsego Wednesday in a Division 2 Regional championship.
The win gave the Sailors a perfect 26-0 record.
Each team had a basket early in the game, but then Otsego missed several layups, allowing South Christian to establish a significant lead with a 9-0 run, bringing the score to 12-2. Otsego’s lone senior, Audrey Lingbeek, responded with a three-pointer to close the quarter.
Seniors Wolthuis and Sophia Prins contributed five points each in the opening period.
The Sailors intensified their interior defense in the second quarter, forcing multiple turnovers and limiting Otsego’s opportunities for second-chance points. This defensive effort translated to increased scoring on offense.
Their defense was so strong the entire game that Otsego never had consecutive baskets without an answer from South in between them.
“We focus on that and have the saying that defense starts the offense and we like to play fast,” South Christian Coach Erika Brown said.
South Christian outscored Otsego 15-11 in the second quarter to take a 27-16 lead into the locker room. Otsego managed just four field goals and five free throws in the half, led by Lingbeek who scored nine points on three treys.
Sophia Prins maintained her strong performance with six additional points, totaling eleven, while sophomore Abby Prins contributed eight points in the quarter, including two three-pointers.
In the second half, South Christian extended its lead to 18 points, 39-21, before encountering foul trouble with players Lexi Vermaas, Meredith Helmus, Abby Prins and Isla Ogle receiving multiple fouls.
“That was surprising to me, and we know that it can happen again, but the team pulled together, overcame it, and learned from it,” Brown said.
These fouls sent Otsego to the free-throw line, helping them close the gap to 46-30 after three quarters. Lizzie Wolthuis buried two more three-pointers in the quarter, bringing her point total to 12, while Sophia Prins added three and Abby Prins contributed five, resulting in totals of 14 and 13, respectively. Lingbeek drained her fourth three-pointer for Otsego, finishing with 12 points through three, while Mya Engbers added eight for a total of 10 points.
South Christian’s Wolthuis and Sophia Prins led with 18 apiece
In the final quarter, South Christian further demonstrated its strength, outscoring Otsego 21-8. Wolthuis recorded two additional three-pointers, ending with 18 points, tying Sophia Prins as top scorers. Abby Prins finished with 13 points.
Lingbeek led Otsego with 14 points, followed by Engbers with 12.
South Christian next travels to Hudsonville Unity Christian for a D-2 quarterfinal matchup with OK Gold rival Grand Rapids West Catholic, who defeated Grand Rapids Catholic Central 64-31 in regional play. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 17. The teams met twice in the regular season, with South Christian securing victories both times: 73-62 at home and 50-44 away.
“As you get farther and farther in the tournament, you need to remain focused and disciplined,” Brown said. “You can not let things rattle you as things are not going to go your way all the time. At the end of the game, hopefully we are the last one standing.”
If the Sailors can win three more games, they will be the last ones standing at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center on Saturday, March 21, with a championship trophy in their hands.
