By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
SAUGATUCK—One of the goals the Saugatuck girls basketball team set for itself this season was to win the SAC Central championship.
The Trailblazers can cross that item off their to-do list.
Controlling the tempo of the game from start to finish, Saugatuck bested Holland Black River 47-24 on Friday, Feb. 23, to clinch the divisional title with a 9-1 record.
Overall, the Trailblazers improved to 19-1 as they extended their winning streak to 14.
And it seemed only fitting that the division-clinching victory came when the team honored the senior trio of Brook Simpson, Jenn Schock and Elsa Nor on Senior Night.
“I’m so grateful for our three seniors,” Saugatuck coach Kevin Tringali said. “Jenn, Brook and Elsa are phenomenal leaders and have had such an impact on our program and our team culture.”
On Tuesday, Feb. 20, Saugatuck hosted North Muskegon in a non-conference clash and cruised to the 66-25 win.
Simpson, a Ms. Basketball finalist, led the offensive charge for the Trailblazers with an impressive outside-shooting display.
Simpson knocked down not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, but six 3-pointers. That accounted for 18 of her game-topping 22 points.
But Simpson wasn’t the only Saugatuck player to enjoy a strong offensive performance against the Norsemen.
Rather, three players—including younger sister Mylah Simpson, a freshman—joined her with double-digit scoring efforts.
Junior Kennedy Gustafson had 14 points, while Mylah Simpson and sophomore Penny Grob added 13 points each.
“We’re really starting to hit our stride on both ends of the floor,” Tringali said. “And it’s great to see so many of our kids scoring for us. But it’s the team defense I’m most proud of.”