HUDSONVILLE, Mich. — It was a matchup over ten months in the making after the postseason was abruptly ended in March due to COVID-19.
The East Grand Rapids and Hudsonville girls basketball programs were set to square off in regionals prior to the season's cancellation after the Eagles beat the Pioneers in the regular season.
On Saturday afternoon, the Pioneers were able to avenge that loss from one year ago.
Northwest signee and East Grand Rapids senior, Jillian Brown scored a game-high 23 points to help the Pioneers prevail while Ali Carlson scored 13.
"We've been slept on for a long time but we're right there," Brown said about what the win says about their team, "we didn't have a chance to prove it all the way last year but we're here now and we're better than last year."
Carlson's play on both ends of the floor helped East Grand Rapids get the statement victory.
"It was a very important game to us because we did lose to them last year and we didn't get to play them in the regional finals," Carlson said after the win, "they're a really good team but we worked really hard. We had contributions from everyone on the team and in the end, I think we outplayed them."
The Pioneers improve to 3-0 on the season while the Eagles fall to 2-1.