The entire West Michigan Conference was projected to be a tossup from the beginning. Thursday night spoke to that prediction being entirely accurate. Several close games throughout the league shed light on the fact that each team must limit mistakes in order to bring home some hardware at the end of the season.
CatchMark Sports provided coverage for North Muskegon’s visit to Whitehall. Both teams were looking for their first conference victory. After a comeback game filled with intense emotions and suspense, Whitehall claimed a 55-51 victory over North Muskegon.
After an explosive first half for the Norse, they led the Vikings 36-22 at halftime. Junior guard, Troy McManus was a huge help in contributing to that advantage. He scored 15 of his 18 points in the first half, and nine of them in the first quarter alone.
Much thanks to some midgame defensive adjustment, the Vikings transitioned from a zone defense to man-to-man coverage as they neared halftime. This changeover put a damper on North Muskegon’s hot offense.
In the second half, it was all Whitehall. The Vikings ended the third quarter on a 10-0 run and continued that into the fourth quarter to straighten out an unbelievable 21-0 run that launched them to victory.
In the last minute of the game, the Whitehall bench received their second technical foul of the night for having an additional player on the court. A few moments after, an exchange between the two benches resulted in North Muskegon receiving a technical of it’s own. Both head coaches were asked to leave the gymnasium for the remainder of the competition. Both coaches will also sit their next game, per MHSAA policy.
Whitehall leaders:
Isaac DeHart 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists
Brodie Fogus 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block
Jack Houtteman 10 points, 3 steals
Kyle Stratton 9 points
Nate Bolley 7 points, 6 rebounds
Red Watson 5 points, 4 assists, 3 steals
North Muskegon leaders:
Troy McManus 18 points
Brandon Rypstra 8 points, 4 rebounds
Sam Gallo 8 points
James Young 8 points
Ben Meyers 5 rebounds
Records:
Whitehall 2-2 overall, 1-1 WMC
North Muskegon 1-2 overall, 0-2 WMC
Next games:
Montague at Whitehall, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4
North Muskegon v. Orchard View at Reeths-Puffer High School, 5 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 28
RAVENNA 59, HART 58: In a game that went right down to the wire, Ravenna found an edge and came out with their second conference victory in a row. The Pirates all but made an epic comeback after being down 34-22 at the half. Another prime example of the parody within the WMC.
Ravenna leaders:
Travis May 17 points, 2 rebounds
Kyle Beebe 16 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals
Grant Becklin 15 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Carter Schullo 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Hart leaders:
Parker Hovey 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 blocks
Kohen Porter 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals
Records:
Ravenna 3-0 overall, 2-0 WMC
Hart 2-1 overall, 1-1 WMC
Next games:
Benzie Central at Ravenna, 2:45 p.m. Thursday Dec. 29
Hart at Whitehall, 7:30 p.m. Friday Jan. 7
MONTAGUE 58, MASON COUNTY CENTRAL 43: Its common knowledge that Scottville is tough place to play for any team. That proved true on Thursday night for a talented Montague squad. The Wildcats trailed the Spartans 25-22 at the break. However, a tune up performance in the second half from Montague senior Tate Stine solidified their second conference win.
Montague leaders:
Tate Stine 20 points, 6 assists, 1 steal
Owen Raeth 10 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Rodney Brassfield 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Isaiah Atchison 8 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks
MCC leaders:
Jaydon Berrone 12 points
Will Chye 10 points
Records:
Montague 2-0 overall, 2-0 WMC
MCC 1-3 overall, 0-2 WMC
Next games:
Comstock Park at Montague, 7 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 21
MCC at Oakridge, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4
SHELBY 56, OAKRIDGE 46: A strong Shelby team locks in their second league victory Thursday night at Oakridge High School. The Tigers defeated North Muskegon by a 6-point margin last week to open conference play. Again, proof that the WMC is up for anyone’s taking.
Shelby leaders:
Joseph Hayes 28 points
Bishop Lee 9 points
Oakridge leaders:
Garrett Wever 22 points, 3 assists
Ethan Jozsa 9 points
Records:
Shelby 2-1 overall, 2-0 WMC
Oakridge 2-2 overall, 0-2 WMC
Next games:
Manistee at Shelby 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 21
Oakridge v. Grand Rapids West Catholic at Cornerstone University Holiday Tournament – Red, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 20
