The Ionia 8th grade girls basketball team hosted the Cougars from Lansing Catholic tonight for their last home game of the season.  It was an intense, hard fought battle all four quarters, but the Bulldogs fell short 18-32.

In all my years of coaching I have never seen a team fight this hard every minute of the game.  These ladies left everything they had on the court, and all 9 deserve a pat on the back.  Many girls contributed to Ionia's score, including Olivia Lemke with 7, Sydney Graham with 4, Gena Rogers, Ryley Helmes, and Miah Wittenbach all with 2, and Ava Benedict with 1.  Jordyn Ciganick played some amazing defense for the Bulldogs and only had one foul on the night (a new record!).  Alex Jensen and Ash Ellsworth also played some stellar defense, providing some crucial help side defense.  Great effort from the entire team!

Ionia will now travel to Olivet next Wednesday, February 21st.