COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Coldwater stands all alone atop the Interstate 8 boys basketball standings thanks to a come-from-behind 60-55 win against Parma Western at the Coach Floyd Eby Gymnasium. The Panthers led 23-15 after the first quarter and at one time had a 10-point lead, but the Cardinals took the second quarter 14-10 to cut the lead to 4 at the half. The lead was two after the third quarter, and Coldwater outscored Western in the final frame 18-11 to put the game away.
Gage McGuire led all scorers with 26 points, 18 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while freshman Ethan Crabtree had 13 points and 3 assists; both were named McDonald’s Players of the Game. Dylan Targgart also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds as the Cardinals improved to 5-0 overall, 3-0 in the Interstate 8. Nathan Burk led the Panthers with 22 points.
Elsewhere in the Interstate 8:
- (at) Marshall 53, Pennfield 43
- (at) Northwest 61, Lumen Christi 48
- (at) Hastings 64, Harper Creek 46
Western, Marshall, Northwest, and Hastings now sit in a four-way tie for second in the league at 2-1 heading into Christmas Break.
There was only one Big 8 boys basketball game on the schedule, and it was a big one, with last year’s top two teams doing battle for the first time this season. Quincy posted a 58-44 win at Homer thanks to a 21-point, 20-rebound performance from William Dunn, along with 15 points and 8 rebounds from Jordan Nelson. The Orioles improved to 7-0 overall, 4-0 in the Big 8.
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In girls basketball, Coldwater scored the first 11 points of the game and led wire-to-wire in a 60-44 win against a much-improved Parma Western squad. Our McDonald’s Player of the Game, Malorie Rzepka, had a season-high 17 points along with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals. Carlee Crabtree scored 14 points, Tyler Scheid had 9 points and 10 rebounds, and Samantha Rodesiler added 9 as the Cardinals improved to 6-0 overall, 3-0 in the Interstate 8.
Elsewhere in the Interstate 8:
- (at) Northwest 59, Lumen Christi 31
- (at) Marshall 53, Pennfield 30
- Harper Creek 40, (at) Hastings 20
Coldwater and Northwest are now tied atop the league standings hading into Christmas Break.
Quincy dropped its second consecutive game, as Homer used a 16-7 fourth quarter to propel themselves to a 45-38 win. Madison Hinds had 12 points and 5 rebounds, while Jessica Holcomb had 8 points and 13 rebounds as the Orioles drop to 4-2 overall, 1-2 in the Big 8.
Union City lost to visiting Athens 53-22 at the McNett Fieldhouse. The Chargers dropped to 0-6.
There’s only one event on the high school sports calendar today, as Coldwater’s wrestlers take part in the Eaton Rapids Invitational.
