Kent City Excels In Talented Big North Shootout
Basketball met the beautiful scenery of the northern shores of Lake Michigan at The Big North Shootout in the Petoskey/Charlevoix area. 30 teams showed up to compete in the shootout from all over the state. Last years state ranked powerhouses…
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Continue ReadingBasketball met the beautiful scenery of the northern shores of Lake Michigan at The Big North Shootout in the Petoskey/Charlevoix area. 30 teams showed up to compete in the shootout from all over the state.
Last years state ranked powerhouses including Charlevoix, Michigan Center, Cadillac, Saulte St. Marie, Westwood, Grand Haven, Central Montcalm and Kent City all were in attendance. The competition was great and there was plenty of fun had by parents and players alike in the state’s most scenic shootout.
Many teams stayed at Boyne Mountain and enjoyed the water park, swimming pools, paintball, horseback riding, tubing and other activities after a day of hoops. Other teams camped or stayed in vacation homes and it was a great way to incorporate team building into a couple of days of basketball while vacationing.
Michigan Center looked deep and will be a team to contend with again this year. They rotated 10 girls and both groups of five gained valuable experience which is always needed during a long high school season.
Charlevoix and Elise Stuck will have some say in who comes down from the north in Class C basketball. Stuck continues to show she is the real deal on the court with her all around game. She can bring the ball down the court, shoot it from outside, or use her size and skill in the post.
Cadillac has shooters that are not afraid to let it go from deep and will be a force again this year. They look to at the top of their conference and the area again this year if their two days on the hardwood is any indication.
The Bucs from Grand Haven lost a lot from last years team which was ranked #1 much of the season. They still have quality players (shooters and size) and are always well coached. Grand Haven will be a factor before next season is over. It is more of a reload than a rebuild with Coach K.
From over the bridge, Saulte St. Marie showed they have some team speed and can play with almost anyone. Also, Westwood will make some noise this season as they have the pieces to win on any given night against the state powers.
Many thought Kent City would be facing a rebuilding year after losing three key seniors and the transfer of their post player, but that does not look like the case. Coming off a season where they broke the state 3-point record by almost 30 made 3-point shots, they have plugged another batch of shooters in the vacated spots and were consistently knocking down the long ball. They finished with a record of 7-0. Only 2 of these contests had a final outcome within double figures.
Juniors Kenzie Bowers and Jenna Harrison led the way for the young Eagles. Bowers, with various D1 offers, showed she has the complete game with her ability to shoot from distance and get to the basket and finish. Her ability to lead the team in rebounds from the point guard position speaks to her nose for the ball and athletic ability. Her little sister Lexie, (freshman) showed she has the ability to shoot it from long range with great accuracy already.
Jenna Harrison is coming off a sophomore year in which she knocked down 76 3-point shots and continues to show that it is just another day at the office when she is on the court. She looks to have increased her range, accuracy, and ability to get to the basket which will make her game even stronger.
Several other Eagles (Taryn Preston, Joan Carr, Alyssa Larson) have shown they are ready to continue what has been going on and that it is their turn.
Kent City Roster
Seniors
Lauren Schnicke
Mikayla Loew
Joan Carr
Juniors
Kenzie Bowers
Jenna Harrison
Alyssa Larson
Sophomores
Taryn Preston
Emma Geers
Freshman
Lexie Bowers
Results
Kent City – 57
Sault St. Marie -33
Kent City – 54
Oscoda – 17
Kent City – 68
Forest Area – 18
Kent City – 70
Benzie Central – 12
Kent City – 43
Grand Haven – 39
Kent City – 48
Cadillac – 47
Kent City – 51
Boyne City – 37