The Ionia Bulldogs’ basketball season concluded with a challenging defeat against the Portland Raiders in the district final on March 15, 2024. The Bulldogs lost 64-41, marking their third defeat to Portland this season. Despite a promising postseason run, which included two significant upset victories, Ionia could not overcome the early lead established by the Raiders.
The Bulldogs entered the final match with momentum, having defeated the No. 3 seed Alma and the top-seeded Central Montcalm earlier in the tournament. However, they faced an uphill battle as the Raiders surged ahead with a 14-0 start. Ionia’s junior guard, Ethan Wenzel, who led his team with 13 points, acknowledged the difficulties presented by Portland’s aggressive play.
“We gave up two big runs to them early in the game,” stated Bulldogs head coach Scott Swinehart. “We had it down to five at one point, but that run they had in the third quarter just put it out of reach. They’re an outstanding team and they’re well-coached.”
The Bulldogs, who have a history of success in district tournaments, entered the game with the experience of having reached the district final five times in the last six years. Their previous matchups with the Raiders included a victory in 2024 and a loss in 2025. This season, they had already lost to Portland twice in conference play, which set the stage for a determined effort in the final.
After a challenging first quarter, the Bulldogs found their footing. Wenzel’s layup marked the beginning of their scoring, and they managed to reduce the Raiders’ lead to nine points by the end of the first quarter, trailing 19-10. The second quarter saw Ionia tightening their defense, although they still fell behind by 12 points at halftime, with the score at 30-18.
In the third quarter, Ionia displayed a stronger offense, launching a 12-5 run that brought them within five points of the Raiders, at 35-30. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the Raiders responded with a decisive 16-4 run of their own, extending their lead to 51-34 by the end of the quarter.
Attempts to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter were thwarted as Portland opened with eight unanswered points, securing their victory. Alongside Wenzel’s 13 points, senior Colt Piercefield contributed nine points, and senior Dawson Leland added eight. The remaining points came from sophomores Aiden Washington and seniors Nolan Hart, Adam Kramer, and Carter Ralston.
“I think we needed to play a lot better on defense,” Wenzel noted. “I thought we played hard in this game, but we just have to play good at that defensive end at the end of the day.”
Coach Swinehart echoed Wenzel’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for improved rebounding and defensive pressure. “Rebounding and making them work on the defensive end were the two things. I’m not sure how well we accomplished those, but that’s the way it goes.”
Ionia concluded the season with an overall record of 11-14. Despite the disappointing end, there is optimism for the future. “I think we have a lot of talent coming in,” Wenzel remarked. “We had a player who was hurt this entire season, and he’s a really good basketball player. I think we have a lot of talent coming back that we could be really good next year.”
Reflecting on the season, Coach Swinehart stated, “The growth we’ve had since our first scrimmage has been tremendous. The guys came to practice every day ready to work, so I guess the torch passes to the younger guys now.” The Bulldogs will look to build on their experiences as they prepare for the next season, aiming to return stronger and more competitive in their pursuit of success.