Local Sports Journal
The Western Michigan Christian Warriors dropped their River Valley Conference opener to Grand Rapids Covenant Christian on Friday night.
The host Chargers raced to a double-digit lead at the half, weathered a Warrior comeback in the third quarter, then surged to a 67-45 victory.
Bernard Smith led WMC (1-3) with 14 points and 17 rebounds. Henry DeKam added 13 points and Logan Waller had six rebounds.
Covenant, which made 24-of-29 free throws, was led by junior Brandon Kaptein with 28 points. Ben Noorman added 12.
The Chargers led 33-18 at the half, but the Warriors fought back to within 42-35 in the third quarter.
From there, the Chargers used some key buckets and a 13-for 15 performance from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to earn the victory.
Covenant Christian 67, Western Michigan Christian 45
WESTERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN (1-3)
Nate Taylor 2 0-2 5, James Jackson 1 2-2 4, Alex Rop 1 0-2 2, Henry DeKam 6 0-0 13, Bernard Smith 6 2-5 14, Logan Waller 0 1-4 1, Chaise Schuiteman 1 0-0 2, Jacob Ray 1 0-0 2, Sam Mast 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 5-15 45.
COVENANT CHRISTIAN (1-2)
Alex Dykstra 5 0-0 12, Cole Bleyenburg 2 1-1 5, Ben Noorman 3 5-5 12, Jared Cammenga 0 2-2 2, Austin VanDyke 1 0-0 2, Brandon Kaptein 7 12-15 28, Jared Noorman 0 2-3 2, Austin Brower 0 2-2 2, Nate Doezema 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 24-29 67.
WMC 11 – 7 – 17 – 10 — 45
Covenant 20 – 13 – 13 – 21 — 67
3-pointers: Taylor, DeKam, Dykstra (2), B. Noorman, Kaptein (2). Fouled out: Rop, Schuiteman. Total fouls: WMC 24, Covenant 15. Technicals: none. A: 600.
