Onekama cruises past Baldwin

Onekama’s Kayla Kosiboski shoots during the second half of Wednesday’s West Michigan D League win against Baldwin. (Dylan Savela/News Advocate)

by Dylan Savela, News Advocate

ONEKAMA — Baskets came in bunches on one end of the court Wednesday night.

But on the other, they were few and far between.

The formula proved favorable for Onekama in a comfortable 74-6 West Michigan D League win over Baldwin.

“The main thing coming in was to make sure we focused on executing, doing what we needed to do, and finish the easy baskets … things like that,” Portagers coach Nathan Bradford said of playing the winless Panthers. “You hope that everyone gets a chance to play, and that’s how it worked out.”

Onekama (6-1, 5-1 WMD) spread its minutes and statistics around, as Alexis Tribfelner led the way with 15 points, five steals, and four assists. Hanah Gilbert scored 12, Tawny Kott had 11 points and five boards, Kayla Kosiboski scored 10 with three rebounds, and Caitlin Zielinski, Hailey Kott, and Kaylan Fitch each scored six. Nisha Collins and Martina Karlsdotter each had 4.

For Baldwin (0-6, 0-4), the long night was shortened by a running clock, established late in the second quarter. Nikki Frasier and Angla Johnson each finished with three points while Makayla George had eight rebounds and two steals.

Onekama’s defense and tenacity on the offensive boards gave the Panthers fits.

“We needed to box out, and get more rebounds,” said Baldwin coach Antoinette Rewa. “And (offensively), we need to make better passes. We had so many turnovers because of poor passing.”

The Portagers gave themselves a quick cushion with the game’s first 18 points en route to a 31-2 first quarter lead. The press was called off quickly during the initial run, and Bradford was able to use a five-for-five subbing rotation for the majority of the game.

“That’s a plus,” he said. “Everyone got in and played hard. It gives kids confidence when everyone’s scoring baskets.

“And that’s what I told them,” he added. “‘Everyone played, and played hard. Really not much to complain about tonight.’”

Johnson scored Baldwin’s first of two field goals on the night early in the second quarter, but Onekama was still firing on all cylinders. The Portagers initiated a running clock with a 40-point lead 32 seconds before the break, and took a 47-4 advantage into halftime.

Onekama held the Panthers scoreless in the third for a 61-4 lead, and continued to cruise through the fourth.