Saturday was a bitter/sweet day for Hope College Women's Basketball. The sweet? A MIAA Championship! The bitter? Having to say goodbye to 9-seniors.

It was an exciting Saturday afternoon in Holland as the Dutch women's basketball team completed an amazing run of 45 wins in a row with their 64-54 win over Trine in the MIAA Championship.

Fox 17 reported It looked like it might be a runaway as the Dutch took a 17 point lead in the second quarter after back-to-back three pointers from Kasey DeSmit. However, basketball is basketball, and Trine didn't get into the championship game by a fluke. In the fourth quarter the Hope lead was just five. Oops! What's going to happen?

The Dutch ladies didn't lose "hope." A one and one from Ella McKinney and late bucket from Holland Christian alum and senior guard Kennedy Schoonveld would lead them to the championship.

This wasn't Hope's first championship trophy, but it just may have been the most meaningful. "There's a burden you carry with you when you're being chased," explained head coach Brian Morehouse after the win, "the bulls-eye is on your back all the time."

And Morehouse admits there was pressure going into Saturday's game, especially for the nine seniors.

Remember Senior Day, Saturday, February 27, Hope head coach Morehouse told all nine seniors to take the court to start the game because they were starting. His seniors have been so special to him and his program that he just couldn’t pick five.

“We surrounded the jump circle with nine kids, the referee tossed the ball up. When it was tipped, the side referee stepped in, blew her whistle, called the time out and a technical on the team. We called four players off the court and they shot two free throws. It was the best technical and the best 2-0 deficit I have ever had in my coaching career.”

Congratulations ladies of Hope. Well done!

 

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