The Cedar Springs Girls Basketball Team wrapped up another busy weeks playing three games in four days. 

Maggie Prins led Cedar Springs with 13 points and 13 rebounds, followed by Brighton Miller with 11 points and Avery Sparling with 8.

On Tuesday, February 19, the ladies traveled to Kent City High School to take on the 2nd ranked (Division 3) team in the state. Cedar Springs battled through out the night but a hot shooting Kent City Team (14 three-pointers) built a double-digit lead early in the second half that was too much for the Red Hawks to overcome. Kent City won the game 60-45.

The lady Red Hawks welcomed Forest Hills Central to town on Thursday, February 21, for the team’s final home game of the season and senior night. Seniors Courtney Pienta, Brighton Miller, Brooke Weeks, Nicole Vanderhoef, Mikayla Lewis-Frank, and Ashley Wise were honored prior to the contest.

After a tight contest for most of the night, FH Central came out on top by a score of 40-31. Avery Sparling led the Red Hawks in scoring with 14 points on the evening.

The ladies were back at it a night later as they traveled to Greenville. In a game in which Cedar led most of the evening, Greenville used a strong fourth quarter to defeat the Red Hawks 39-38. Brighton Miller and Maggie Prins each scored 10 points and Avery Sparling and Kyla Andres chipped in 8 points each.

Cedar Springs will play its final game of the regular season on Thursday, February 28, as they travel to Lowell to play the Red Arrows. 

District Tournament brackets are out and the Lady Red Hawks will play the winner of Greenville and Forest Hills Central on Wednesday night, March 6, at Northview High School. That game will start at 5:30 p.m. The District Final game will also be held at Northview High School on Friday, March 8, at 7:00 p.m.

Senior Ali Sparling drives to the basket in the Friday, Dec. 2 game against Big Rapids.
Photo by K. Alvesteffer/R. LaLone

The Cedar Springs Girls Basketball Team capped off a busy eight-day stretch by defeating Holland West Ottawa 53-41 on Friday night, Dec. 9. The win marked the Red Hawks fourth straight victory after losing their season opener. Senior Ali Sparling led the team with 19 points, including five three-pointers. Sophomores Brighton Miller and Baylie VanDyke followed with 12 and 10 points respectively.

“West Ottawa was a good test for us,” said Coach Brandon Miller. “They were big and athletic. I am very proud of the girls and the way that they stepped up and executed our game plan. This team has set their goals very high and they are working extremely hard to reach them. We had a very busy week of basketball and it would have been easy to lose focus. Our leadership and work ethic from top to bottom has been great.”

The eight-day stretch began the previous Friday, Dec. 2, when the Lady Red Hawks defeated Big Rapids 44-41. Ali Sparling again led the way, scoring 18 points and hauling in 6 rebounds. Classmates Aaliyah Sargent and Maddie VanDusen chipped in 8 points each. Sargent also led the team with 9 rebounds.

The middle two games of the four game stretch saw Sparta and Grant come to town. The Lady Red Hawks defeated Sparta 45-35 on Monday, Dec. 5. The Red Hawks built a 21-point lead after three quarters. Baylie VanDyke recorded her first double-double of the season netting 10 points and hauling in 10 rebounds. Brighton Miller led the team in scoring with 12 points. Maddie VanDusen chipped in with 9 points.

The team was back at it the next night battling Grant. Cedar Springs held a slim 7-point lead going into half but pulled away for a 55-28 victory. Senior Aaliyah Sargent led the team with 17 points  and 6 rebounds followed by Ali Sparling with 11 and 6 rebounds. Ashley Wise and Morgan Shevock also contributed 8 points each in the winning effort.

The Lady Red Hawks next game will be this Friday, Dec. 16, at Comstock Park. Game time is 7:00 p.m.