The Western Michigan Christian girls basketball team picked up local bragging rights Friday night with a big victory at Fruitport, doubling up the Trojans 48-24.

The game was tight early, as both teams struggled to get into their offensive sets. Turnovers abound in the first quarter led to a 9-7 lead for the Warriors before they took a 10-2 advantage in the second quarter to pull away. The 19-9 lead at halftime ballooned to 31-16 heading into the fourth, where both teams posted their highest scoring quarters.

“It was ugly, but we played good defense to get us through,” said WMC head coach Jeremy Goorman. “I think we came in a little overconfident and then the girls just weren’t themselves. It was just one of those games, but a win is a win.”

WMC’s Taylor Folkema led all scorers with 21 points and 7 steals on the night, followed by Warrior Anna Sytsema with 20 and 8 rebounds.

A trio of Trojans tied for the team scoring lead as Sydney Bol, Andi Quasebarth and Emily Dirkse each scored six points, followed by Taylor Burke and Kennah Vanmerris with three each.

The Folkema-Sytsema power duo in the post, combined with a persistent press and active defense by WMC had Fruitport spinning throughout the game. Just earning an offensive possession was one challenge, putting it in the hoop was another.

“Rebounding, handling the press and playing good defense were going to be key today and all three were tough,” said Fruitport head coach Bob German. “We didn’t rebound well because of their bigs, they are tough to move and got too good of position on us.

“We did some things better, we just let them have too many easy ones, and that press killed us. Offensively, we did a better job moving the ball around and such, but we just couldn’t put it in.”

While their play in the paint was strong, the Warriors played far from a perfect game in the face of end-to-end effort by the Trojans.

“Fruitport plays pretty good defense,” Goorman said. “I’ve noticed their scores. They hold teams down, but don’t score a lot themselves.

“We had a lot of shots near the basket, especially early, but just shot at a lower percentage than usual. As the game went on we started hitting more things.”

“The biggest thing tonight was effort,” German said of his team. “We tried to compete the whole 32 minutes and that is what made the difference. That is something we haven’t really done yet so that is what I asked for today.”

Both teams are dealing with injury concerns early in the season and look forward to a Christmas break to rest up.

Friday night’s game was just the third back after recovering from pneumonia for the Trojans’ Sydney Bol, while Ellie Fisher, a starter last season, is relegated to the bench with a concussion.

“We are still trying to get healthy,” German said. “It is a common excuse but I’m going to keep using it. Usually, Sydney will go 32 minutes, but she is still recovering from pneumonia and kept having to come out tonight and we suffered without Fisher in the middle.”

WMC’s point guard Meghan Heiss is also just returning from a concussion, logging just two practices since being cleared before Friday’s game. She had 8 steals and 7 assists.

“We were a little out of sync with Meghan just getting back into things,” Goorman said.

"We are 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the league.  This is a great start to our season and need to clean up a few things.  I am proud of how the girls are committed to the defensive end.  Esther Hartley, Kayla Johnson and  Peyton Allen add spark to our play.  We are praying for Jenna Houskamp because she sustained a concussion in the second half."

The Warriors return to action as they host league-foe Orchard View on Jan. 4

The Trojans are in the opposite boat, having now lost their first four games of the season. They get a few extra days off to recuperate, returning to the court on Jan. 8 to start the O-K Black season at Kenowa Hills.