By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org
After dropping their last two games, the Wyoming girls basketball team regained their winning touch in a big way as it turned in strong efforts on both sides of the floor en route to a 70-23 win against visiting Grand Rapids Union Friday.
The win improved Wyoming’s record to 7-2 for the season, but more importantly it stopped a two-game skid that saw the Wolves drop a 52-45 decision to Coopersville and a 54-39 contest to league-rival Wayland.
Wyoming hit the floor more than ready to snap the two-game skid as it displayed some offensive fireworks and lock-down defense in the opening minutes.
“We played a lot better than we have the last two games,” said Wyoming Coach Chris Hose. “I think we are kind of jelling a little bit better. I think the break kind of slowed us down, we were off for 10 or 11 days, but I think we are starting to get back into our groove a little bit. We’re starting to play better together as a team. We are playing harder, we are playing smarter, so we are taking the steps in the right direction.”
The Wolves reeled off nine straight points in the game’s first two minutes and was up 11-0 before Union scored its first basket of the contest with 3:27 remaining in the opening quarter.
Up 15-3 at the end of the first quarter, the Wyoming offense kicked into overdrive in the second quarter. The Wolves put up 29 points in that quarter and headed into halftime with a 44-13 lead.
Michaela Moore led Wolves with 30 points
Senior standout Michaela Moore was the main catalyst on offense for the Wolves. Moore, who finished the game with a career-best 30 points, scored seven points in the opening quarter and then poured in 11 points during the second quarter.
Wyoming kept the pressure up during the second half. The Wolves outscored Union 20-8 in the third quarter and built the lead even more during the fourth quarter which was played with a running clock.
While the offense has been strong all season, Hose is pleased with the steady progress the Wolves are making on the defensive end.
“I think defensively is where we are making the most progress,” Hose said. “Even on our poor shooting nights we are still in games, we are still flying around. We are taking more pride in our defense. We are a lot more disciplined with our feet and we’re not reaching as much. I think defensively overall, we have improved quite a bit this year.”
“We started out hot,” Hose continued. “We were 6-0 and then we had a night against Coopersville where we weren’t shooting very well and then we had a rough night against Wayland where we got into foul trouble pretty quick so we ended up falling to those two teams. The break pushed us back a little bit, but I think we are on the right track now and we should have some good things going forward. The sky is the limit for this team if they keep working hard and playing together. We are going to be a problem for a lot of teams.”
Along with Moore’s 30 points, the Wolves had three more players reach doubles figures. Freshman Tija Gayles totaled 12 points, while seniors Tamia Gayles and Myah Nabors added 10 apiece.
The scoring output from Wyoming guards was no surprise as the veteran backcourt is a strong point for the team this season.
“Our three guards, Myah Nabors, Michaela Moore and Tamia Gayles, we kind of go wherever they take us,” Hose said. “They are really strong offensively and defensively. They are really great leaders, they hold everybody accountable, and they just do a good job of pushing our team.”
Union, which fell to 3-6 for the season, was paced by senior Zyreair Craig with 12 points.
Wyoming returns to action Tuesday evening when it travels to West Catholic in a matchup of teams with 7-2 records. The Wolves then return home Friday to host Hudsonville Unity Christian.
