COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Senior Night at Coldwater High School’s Coach Floyd Eby Gymnasium proved to be especially memorable, as both Cardinal varsity basketball teams finished the night with a share of the Interstate 8 championship.
Ayden Dirschell’s late free throws proved to be the difference as the Cardinal boys held off upset-minded Jackson Lumen Christi 40-38. Coldwater led by as many as 9 points early in the fourth quarter before the Titans mounted a comeback attempt that ultimately fell two points short. Head Coach Aaron Bucklin told us after the game:
Donte Work led all scorers with 15 points, Elijah Sloan added 11, and Ayden Dirschell had 7 points and 7 rebounds. Coldwater improved to 13-7 overall, 11-3 in the Interstate 8. Meanwhile, Marshall had no problem with visiting Hastings, picking up a 53-26 win to improve to 16-5 overall, 11-3 in league play. For the second straight year, the Cardinals and Redhawks will share the Interstate 8 championship. Coldwater travels to Otsego on Tuesday.
Listen to the boys game again:
The Coldwater Cardinal girls basketball team shared the 2022-23 Interstate 8 championship with Jackson Northwest. (Photo by MWC’s Sean Watson)
The Lady Cardinal basketball season closed out the regular season with an outstanding 21-1 overall record following a 40-21 win over Lumen Christi. Coldwater led 16-7 at halftime and blew the game open by outscoring the Titans 17-2 in the third quarter. Head Coach Ken Smoker:
Mya Porter led the way with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks, while Rylie VanAken added 6 points and 2 steals. The Cardinals finished Interstate 8 play at 13-1, tied with Jackson Northwest atop the league standings following the Mounties’ 65-38 win against Pennfield. Coldwater begins postseason play on Wednesday; they will await the winner of Monday’s Harper Creek-Battle Creek Central game in a Division 1 District Semifinal game at Battle Creek Lakeview.
Listen to the girls game again:
The Coldwater JV girls team wrapped up their season with a 34-24 loss to Lumen Christi. Ta’Viayah Hughes had a team-high 11 points for Coldwater.
OTHER INTERSTATE 8 BOYS BASKETBALL SCORES
- Pennfield 55, Jackson Northwest 53
- Parma Western 65, Harper Creek 53
OTHER INTERSTATE 8 GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES
- Marshall 41, Hastings 29
- Parma Western 64, Harper Creek 25
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