Friday night saw the Greenville Jackets secure a commanding victory over the Belding Black Knights, winning 71-39 in a highly anticipated nonconference basketball game. The matchup marked the start of the season for both teams, who entered the game with perfect records.
The Jackets established themselves early, scoring an impressive 25 points in the first quarter. This strong start allowed Greenville to maintain control throughout the game, ultimately handing Belding their first loss of the season.
Head coach Shay Barber praised his team’s defensive strategy, emphasizing their focus on shutting down Belding’s top shooters. “We really preached about discipline, closeouts, communication on defense, and that defense was going to lead our offense, and it did,” Barber stated. He highlighted the team’s execution of their game plan as a key factor in their success.
Conversely, Belding’s head coach, Shad Breimayer, acknowledged the challenges his team faced against Greenville’s aggressive play. “We turned the ball over too much against the press to start, and they shot the lights out,” Breimayer remarked. He noted that the game would serve as a valuable learning experience for his players as they prepare for tougher opponents later in the season.
The victory marked Greenville’s fourth consecutive 2-0 start to the season, and Barber expressed optimism about the team’s prospects. “When we got to summer basketball, we wanted to have a new brand of Greenville basketball, which is high energy, great communication, and play as one,” he explained. “They’re displaying it right now and they’re having fun with it in the way they compete.”
Greenville’s scoring was led by junior Olivia Fancett, who contributed 16 points. Seniors Alix Court and Lauren Russell followed closely with 10 points each, showcasing the team’s depth as 10 of their 12 players made scoring contributions.
The Jackets controlled the game from the outset, forcing turnovers and converting them into points. After shutting out the Black Knights in the final two minutes of the first quarter, Greenville led 25-11. Their dominance continued into the second quarter, with the Jackets scoring 16 points compared to Belding’s four, extending their lead to 41-15 at halftime.
Despite a late surge from Belding in the fourth quarter, it was not enough to change the game’s outcome. The Black Knights’ top scorers included sophomore Emma Ingles, with 12 points, and her sister, sophomore Olivia Ingles, adding another 12.
Breimayer reflected on the emotional challenges his team faced. “I think the girls were just too wound up,” he noted. He indicated that the team would work on managing their nerves ahead of their next match, a road game against Godwin Heights to kick off OK Silver conference play.
Looking ahead, the Jackets will host Mona Shores for their first home game of the season on Tuesday. Barber expects a tough matchup but remains confident in his team’s abilities. “We know that they’re really good. I believe they had about 17 or 18 wins last year, so they’re going to be ready. We’ll keep pushing forward,” he concluded.
As the season unfolds, both teams will continue to adjust and grow, with Greenville aiming to build on their early success while Belding seeks to learn from this experience as they prepare for a demanding schedule ahead.
