As the season tipped off last week in the Loy Norrix Tip Off Tournament, the Women's Varsity Basketball took the floor on opening night with a different vibe and energy that hasn't been seen in years. 

The Knights were heavy favorites in the semi finals and followed through with a 59-4 win over Wyoming Lee. The Championship Game was on Tuesday and this was a rematch of the 2021 Tournament vs. Portage Northern. The Huskies came away with the win last year but the Knights came out of the gate strong. They jumped out to a 14-4 lead and were on their way to a title with a 52-40 win. Senior Wendy Miedema was named the tournament MVP and Junior London Thompson was also named to the All Tournament Team. In reality, it was such a great team effort that many players could have been named. 

As the Knights were 2-0, they were heading to Bath for a tough road game on Thursday. Bath is known as a very strong defensive team and they were true to form. In a low scoring affair, the Bees built a 10 point lead in the middle of the 3rd Quarter. The shots weren't falling for the Knights. In the past, that would have been a time where we may have lost hope. On top of it, Miedema was in foul trouble with 4 fouls and on the bench as the 4th Quarter had barely started. Things looked bleak but these Knights did not fold. Miedema was able to re enter the game with about 4 minutes left and Knights had closed the gap to 3. She scored six points in the final 3 minutes. There were multiple great plays by the team and again it was a team effort. There were multiple players hitting key baskets and making great plays. Together, they all willed the Knights to a 34-27 come from behind road victory.

The 3-0 start is the best since 2008 and a team than would eventually include two Division 1 players in Talisha Bridges and Ondrea Huughes. They had followed Cetera Washington and Janell Smith the previous 2 years who went to play at MSU and Michigan respectively. 

Could this be a turnaround for a program that has had struggles in recent years? A true test will take place at Gull Lake on Thursday in the SMAC opener. A team the Knights battled well in the District Tournament last season closing the deficit to 4 points in the final five minutes after losing to the same GL team by mercy rule earlier last season. The same GL team that eliminated Kalamazoo Central in the following round.

The Blue Devils are 0-2 after facing some fierce competition in their first games. Gull Lake has definitely owned the series since they joined the SMAC in 2012. This game will be a measuring stick. It is an important and interesting game. It definitely is not a game that will make or break the season, but it will show us where we are as a team. 

Loy Norrix at Gull Lake Thursday 12/9

JV 5:45

V 7:00