Feb. 28, 2023, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Chris Coleman and Sally Merrill scored career highs to help lead Grand Rapids Community College basketball teams to a season sweep over Kirtland Community College on Tuesday.
Both the women’s team and men’s team celebrated the careers of seven sophomores before their games, and both cruised to fifth wins in a row after defeating Kirtland Community College 90-66 in the opener and 97-78 in the night cap.
Kirtland's women's team led by as many as eight in the opening quarter thanks to four straight three-point-shots by Racquel Du Breuil. But GRCC responded to finish out the quarter up 20-18 and led the rest of the way.
"I was happy with the way our kids finished, keeping their composure and focusing on the next play," head coach David Glazier said. "Also, really good to see Alyssa (Katerberg) find her rhythm and confidence tonight which complimented the performances that Sally and Grace (Lodes) put on. All seven sophomores played well tonight, which was fitting on this special night."
Merrill knocked in a career-high 30 points on 12-of-22 from the field and added eight rebounds. Lodes - coming off a 23-point, 11-rebound performance in her last game - totaled 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. She also had five blocks and four assists.
Katerberg finished with 12 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots.
The team is now 16-7 and 10-3 in the conference, with one game remaining before postseason play.
GRCC's men's team was on fire in the first half on the offensive end, racking up 59 points on 24-of-36 from the field and 9-of-18 from behind the arc in the first half.
Coleman scored a career-high 22 points in just 19 minutes, while shooting 10-of-14 from the floor. He also had six rebounds and two of the team's 12 total three-point baskets.
Eight GRCC players made at least one three and all but one player scored on the night.
Danyel Bibbs finished with 20 points, six rebounds and six assists. Isaac Warning dropped in a career-high 17 points, while grabbing 10 rebounds and assisting on a career best five shots.
Both teams return home on March 2 for the regular season finale against Delta College.
This story was reported by Ben Brown.