Photos by Scott DeCamp | CatchMark
It was a fairly busy night for boys basketball in the West Michigan Conference on Thursday.
Below is a roundup of the action that took place on Jan. 11, 2024, based on info submitted by coaches. If your game or info does not appear in this roundup, then it’s because nothing was submitted to CatchMark SportsNet.
WMC LAKES DIVISION
WHITEHALL 91, OAKRIDGE 54: On a night he was celebrated for recently reaching the 1,000-point milestone, Whitehall junior Camden Thompson totaled 27 points, 14 rebounds, and three dunks as the Vikings erupted offensively in a showdown of teams entering with one combined loss.
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LUDINGTON 52, MANISTEE 44: Visiting Ludington earned a hard-fought, low-scoring win against rival Manistee behind the one-two punch of David Shillinger and Spencer Holmes.
“There was a lid on the basket in Manistee for the first 16 minutes of tonight’s game. Both teams struggled until early in the third quarter to muster much scoring,” Ludington coach Thad Shank said. “Spencer Holmes scored eight of his 15 in the third and his back-back 3 pointers stretched the Orioles’ lead to double figures. But the Mariners fought back each and every time the lead got to double figures.”
Ludington leaders:
Spencer Holmes 15 points
David Shillinger 15 points
Manistee leaders:
Mason Gunnett 11 points
Tramel Caviness 9 points
Records:
Ludington 7-4 (4-1 WMC Lakes)
Manistee 6-5 (1-4 WMC Lakes)
Ludington senior Spencer Holmes (Courtney Jimison | CatchMark)
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FREMONT 58, ORCHARD VIEW 50: Host Fremont earned a fourth-straight victory with a WMC Lakes win over Orchard View.
“We continue to improve and the boys are working extremely hard. We still have to clean up some things, but we are definitely headed in the right direction as a team,” Fremont coach Adam Bowen said.
Fremont leaders:
Will DeBlake 21 points, 3 steals
Chaz Miller 15 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals
Ben Mellema 13 points
Orchard View leaders:
No stats or details submitted
Records:
Fremont 5-6 (2-3 WMC Lakes)
Orchard View 3-9 (1-4 WMC Lakes)
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WMC RIVERS DIVISION
MASON COUNTY CENTRAL 65, HART 54: Visiting MCC erupted for 26 first-quarter points and rode the quick start to a big win at Hart.
“The guys came to play tonight. Eathen Huffman and Peyton Merz drew a couple key charges. Our energy blew up after that,” MCC coach Chris VanderHaag said. “It seemed every time they tried to make a run, it Cole VanderHaag would hit a big 3.
“Jaxon Munoz was a difference maker tonight. He was a real problem for their guards. And he had a great night shooting with 15 points. It’s was nice to see him have a solid game. We have been trying to unlock him all season. It was a great team win for us.”
MCC leaders:
Cole VanderHaag 26 points (six 3-pointers), 5 steals
Jaxon Munoz 15 points, 7 assists, 5 steals, 2 rebounds
Hart leaders:
Blake Weirich 17 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists
Jesse Jacobs 16 points
Caleb Ackley 7 rebounds, 3 blocks
Records:
Mason County Central 6-6 (3-2 WMC Rivers)
Hart 3-7 (3-2 WMC Rivers)
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RAVENNA 63, HESPERIA 54: Visiting Ravenna outscored Hesperia 18-9 in the second quarter to take the upper hand and the Bulldogs pulled away with a 25-18 third quarter. It’s the fourth straight win for the ‘Dogs.
“The ‘Dogs and Hesperia locked up in an old-fashioned game of ‘What’s a foul?'” Ravenna coach Courtney Kemp said. “Both teams battled through a tough game to play in. Ultimately, Ravenna ended up with more points when the fourth quarter ended.”
Ravenna leaders:
Dylan May 21 points
Chase Thomas 13 points
Caleb Forsythe 13 points
Hesperia leaders:
No stats or details submitted
Records:
Ravenna 7-3 (4-2 WMC Rivers)
Hesperia 4-6 (2-3 WMC Rivers)
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SHELBY 73, HOLTON 41: Rebounding and defense carried Shelby to a road victory and helped the Tigers snap a seven-game skid. Shelby outrebounded Holton, 35-15.
“Both teams got off to a slow start offensively with four turnovers each in the first quarter. Both teams shot much better in the second (quarter),” Shelby coach Rick Zoulek said.
“We had a season high of 19 assists, which is good sign for our offense. Much better chemistry on offense tonight, which was spurred by our rebounding and defense. Better choices tonight.”
Shelby leaders:
Wyatt Dickman 21 points (career high)
Lalo Garcia 13 points, 12 rebounds
Trey Waller 11 points, 6 rebounds
Phillip Hayes 10 points, 5 assists
Holton leader:
Carter Brant 29 points
Records:
Shelby 2-8 (1-4 WMC Rivers)
Holton 1-12 (0-5 WMC Rivers)
