By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Thursday evening's girls basketball game between the Niles Vikings and Kalamazoo Central started as a very exciting one.
Sarah Dreher and Brandie Radde were honored before the start of the varsity game for their accomplishment of reaching the 1,000 point mark Tuesday evening at Marshall.
Head coach Jim Arnold and high school Athletic Director John Danaher presented the girls with basketballs as fans and players cheered them on.
It was also a historic night for Radde, who set a new school record with seven 3-pointers in one game.
And above all of that excitement the Vikings held on to the lead the entire contest and walked away with a 70-46 win over the Giants
But by the end of the game, all of those smiles, cheers and a victory were nearly forgotten as junior Leigh Tyler collapsed to the floor with 54 seconds left in the game, which was ended by officials.
Fans looked on in awe, whispers were barley heard throughout a very silent Viking gym as everyone wondering what happened to Tyler, who was laying by the Viking bench.
Kalamazoo Central players quickly circled with the Niles team, arms around one another as a Giant player said a prayer for Tyler, who was unconscious at the time.
Coaches, trainers and doctors in the stands came to Tyler's side as the 5-foot-6 guard, who had the stomach flu earlier this week, layed motionless on floor awaiting paramedics.
Arnold also stated that Tyler practiced full force on Wednesday and was fine during the shoot around practice after school Thursday.
But scorekeeps noticed something may have been wrong when Leigh checked in under the wrong number before going into the game with just over two minutes left.
The Niles High School Athletic Office confirmed this morning that Tyler was released from the hospital and is at home recovering from a concussion.
Radde, who went 7-for-11 at the three-point arch, led her team with 25 points, five rebounds and five assists on the night.
Dreher added 22 points and six rebounds and Jessica Shinsky and Brittney Wolverton both had six points each.
Megan Scameheorn had two points, eight assists and five steals.
Thomas ended with 17 points for the Giants.
JV and freshmen
Niles JV team took a 64-28 win over the Giants Tuesday.
Courtney Teske led the Vikes in scoring with 18 points and Jennifer Johnson added 10.
The freshmen team also took a huge 73-21 win over Kalamazoo Central.
Head coach Linda Dyszkiewicz noted that everyone on the team scored.
Autumn Lucero led the Vikes with 12 points, Kaleigh Hill had 11 points, Demi Schrader and Rachel Smith both had 10 and Katie Bourbonnais had seven.
The Vikes will return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Lakeshore. The Freshmen game is set to begin at 4:15, with JV and varsity following.