Despite a strong start to the season, Orchard View has struggled throughout the past few weeks. Spring Lake took full advantage of that Monday as they opened up the postseason with a 62-48 win over the Cardinals.

Spring Lake started out hot, leading 17-8 after one and 35-15 at half. The Lakers then built a nearly insurmountable 56-29 lead with 5:14 to go. Orchard View tried to claw back and went on a 19-6 run to close out the game, but it was too little, too late.

Following the game, Spring Lake coach Bill Core said “In my 19th year, I know that in the state tournament its win and advance, there’s a lot of good teams that are going to be done tonight…it feels really good to advance.”

Orchard View coach Nick Bronsema said of the late comeback attempt “the one thing I am very proud of the guys for is they didn’t give up and they fought to the end.”

The Lakers will play Montague on Wednesday as they advance to 12-9 on the season. Orchard View ends their season with a 13-8 record.

Leading scorers for Spring Lake were Cayden Ball with 16 points and Lucas Lyyski with 10. Orchard View’s leading scorers were Larry Brewer with 14 points, Keontae Barnes with 12 and Edmari Mitchell with 10.