By Ron Rop
Local Sports Journal

For three quarters, the Fruitport Calvary Christian Eagles hung tough against the Muskegon Catholic Central on Thursday night.

But, then things changed in favor of the host Crusaders in a 51-38 victory.

Cari Campbell made  his presence felt inside and the Crusaders clamped down on Eagle standout Mike Warren and that sealed the deal for Coach Lamar Jordan’s Crusaders.

“We knew Warren was their best player and I had Brant McCollum, who has played defense for me all year long, was able to do that,” Jordan said. “Warren is just a great player.”

Warren scored 17 hotly contested points in the first half, but was limited to two in the second when the  Crusaders began to gain the momentum.

“In the second half we made some adjustments and we said, ‘let’s not let him touch the ball.'” said Jordan.

With Warren under wraps, the Crusaders turned a one-point halftime lead into a four-point lead after three quarters and a 13-point victory.

To start the final quarter, MCC went on a 13-0 run to gain the upper hand.

Warren was unstoppable in the opening half. He scored five of his team’s nine points in the first quarter and 12 of the 13 in the second.

In the meantime, MCC kept the slim lead with Campbell’s seven first-half points, Adam Callow’s six on a pair of 3-pointers and John Daniel with six points.

“They got some easy scores inside,” Calvary coach Jim Warren said. “We lost Campbell inside and they had a nice run that stretched out that lead that got up to 17, but you know, we showed we could play with them for three quarters.”

It’s possible the teams will meet again in the Class D district tournament.

“We can go back and work and try to improve, so I was proud our guys to step up against a very solid opponent and play defense as well as we did for as long as we did.”

Campbell and Daniel led MCC with 13 points each. Callow added 12.

Besides Warren’s 19 points, senior guard Mark Carlson added 11 points.

Muskegon Catholic 51, Fruitport Calvary Christian 38

FRUITPORT CALVARY
Mark Carlson 3 5-6 11, Brendan Hamilton 1 0-0 2, Josh Hatfield 1 0-0 2, Mike Warren 8 0-0 19, Isaac Burns 1 2-4 4. Totals 14 7-10 38.

MUSKEGON CATHOLIC
Jessie Anderson 1 0-0 2, Cari Campbell 6 1-3 13, Adam Callow 5 0-0 12, Todd Hall 1 0-0 2, Chaise Klairter 0 0-1 0, John Daniel 5 1-2 13, Lamar Jordan 5 1-2 13, Brant McCollum 3 0-0 6. Totals 22 2-6 51.

FCC 9 – 13 – 10 – 6 — 38
MCC 11 – 12 – 13 – 15 — 51
3-pointers: Warren (3), Callow (2), Daniel (2), Jordan. Fouled out: none. Total fouls: Calvary Christian 13, Muskegon Catholic 12. Technicals: none. JV: MCC won.