It was a busy night in West Michigan Conference boys basketball Friday (Dec. 8).
Here is a roundup of the action:
WMC LAKES
OAKRIDGE 53, MANISTEE 36: Powered by Evan Jozsa, Oakridge improved to 5-0 on the season with an impressive win over visiting Manistee, racing out to a 23-5 first-quarter lead to set the tone.
“We set the tone with the intensity on defense, holding Manistee to five points in the first quarter and 13 points for the half,” said Oakridge coach Tracy Ruel, whose squad was outscored 15-7 in the third quarter and 23-19 in the second half.
“I feel we were a little tired in the second half, playing the third game this week.”
Oakridge leaders:
Evan Jozsa 25 points, 6 rebounds
Peyton Ruel 11 points, 9 assists
Bryson Stephenson 6 points, 12 rebounds
Manistee leaders:
Landin Sowa 9 points
Mason Gunnett 7 points
Records:
Oakridge 5-0 (2-0 WMC Lakes)
Manistee 3-2 (1-1 WMC Lakes)
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MONTAGUE 52, ORCHARD VIEW 31: Owen Raeth scored a season-high 24 points in powering visiting Montague past Orchard View.
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LUDINGTON 67, FREMONT 57: Visiting Fremont jumped on Ludington in the first quarter, 25-13, before the Orioles regrouped behind another big game by David Shillinger. Ludington outscored Fremont 11-3 in the second quarter and 20-9 in the third.
Ludington leaders:
David Shillinger 33 points
Spencer Holmes 15 points
Gage Jones 9 points
Fremont leaders:
Chaz Miller 18 points
William DeBlake 13 points
Ben Mellema 9 points
Kyler DeKuiper 8 points
Gavin Richards 6 points
Records:
Ludington 3-1 (1-0 WMC Lakes)
Fremont 1-2 (0-2 WMC Lakes)
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NORTH MUSKEGON 60, MASON COUNTY CENTRAL 50: In a tight game all night, visiting North Muskegon used a 14-7 fourth-quarter scoring advantage to create a little cushion in this WMC Rivers Division matchup. The Norsemen remain unbeaten.
“It was a great battle all night. They made us pay for every defensive lapse we had,” North Muskegon coach Chuck Rypstra said. “The decisive quarter was the fouth as we clamped down a bit more defensively. We made some free throws to ice the game away.”
North Muskegon leaders:
Adam Dugener 16 points
Jaxon Lisinski 13 points
Lamarkis Graham 12 points, 3 steals
James Young 6 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists
MCC leaders:
Martin Matoses 15 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
Cole VanderHaag 10 points
Eathen Huffman 9 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Peyton Merz 7 points, 3 rebounds
Records:
North Muskegon 4-0 (2-0 WMC Rivers)
Mason County Central 1-2 (1-1 WMC Rivers)
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HART 59, SHELBY 49: Visiting Hart jumped out to a 19-8 first-quarter lead and extended the margin to 36-14 at halftime before Shelby pulled closer in the fourth quarter of this rivalry showdown.
“Hart came out very intense and shooting well. They made 15 of 27 shots in the first half,” Shelby coach Rick Zoulek said. “Shelby shot 6 of 23 in the first half. Hart dominated the boards in the first half and we did a much better job of getting to the glass in the second to even up the boards 32-32. Turnovers in the first half allowed Hart to build its lead to 36-14.
“We got many more good looks and better passing in the second half to outscore them 35-23. Only six turnovers in the second half and much better effort. This group has some very good potential when they come out and communicate and work hard under control. The first half we worked hard, but out of control. Proud of the effort in the second half. The bench energy was much better as well. Hopefully we can build on this second half.”
Hart leaders:
Blake Weirich 24 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists
Caleb Ackley 9 points, 5 rebounds
Ty Schlukebir 8 points
Kaden Bond 8 points
Shelby leaders:
Phillip Hayes 16 points, 5 assists
Wyatt Dickman 11 points
Trey Waller 8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals
Lalo Garcia 9 rebounds
Records:
Hart 2-3 (2-0 WMC Rivers)
Shelby 1-3 (0-1 WMC Rivers)
Photos by LexieBeth Nienhuis for CatchMark
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RAVENNA 55, HOLTON 28: Host Ravenna jumped out to a 21-4 first-quarter lead and cruised to the WMC Rivers Division victory over Holton.
“It was a complete team game of unselfish basketball,” Ravenna coach Courtney Kemp said. “Ravenna continues to grow.”
Ravenna leaders:
Carter Schullo 16 points
Blake Homoly 9 points
Dylan May 8 points
Holton leaders:
No stats or details submitted
Records:
Ravenna 2-1 (1-0 WMC Rivers)
Holton 0-4 (0-2 WMC Rivers)
