By Justin Haggerty
Local Sports Journal
MUSKEGON – Anger can be a great motivator.
The Muskegon Big Reds demonstrated that Tuesday night.
Deyonta Davis drops in the fadeaway during Tuesday night’s win over Grand Rapids Christian. Photo/Tim Driscoll
The Big Reds were upset by several technical fouls in the fourth quarter of their game against Grand Rapids Christian, and reacted by pulling away for a 65-54 non-league victory at Redmond-Potter Gymnasium.
Muskegon improved to 8-1 on the season. Grand Rapids Christian fell to 7-2.
“I’m happy with the win,” said Muskegon Coach Keith Guy. “I think we played hard, we played mad down the stretch. We had every right to and every reason to.”
“Thank God for the win, I’m glad our guys got mad and started playing with some emotion.”
Muskegon came out of the gate strong, hitting 9 of 12 shots in the first quarter. But the Eagles were up to the challenge, hitting 6 of 12 from the floor, including two triples, and trailed 18-14 at the first buzzer.
The second quarter was back and forth the whole way, and the Big Reds led 29-25 at halftime.
Joeviair Kennedy drives around Grand Rapids Christian’s No. 14 Deleon Brown. Photo/Tim Driscoll
Muskegon extended its lead in the third quarter, and went up 55-41 in with 5:33 left in the fourth on Jason Loera’s 3-pointer.
Loera was whistled for a technical foul for taunting on the play. After the Eagles’ Thad Shymanski hit both free throws, Muskegon’s Daryl Kirkland stole the ball and was going up for a dunk and receiving a technical foul for hanging on the rim.
Then a visibly upset Guy received a technical foul of his own for arguing the call.
Muskegon’s standout center Deyonta Davis reacted to the calls by becoming more aggressive.
On the ensuing Muskegon possession, Davis slammed home an emphatic dunk that sent the gymnasium into a frenzy of excitement. The Big Reds outscored their visitors 10-8 the rest of the way to seal the victory.
Davis finished with 20 points, 19 rebounds, and seven blocks for the Big Reds.
“He took it personal, all the technicals,” said Guy.
“We’re getting better, every practice we go at each other,” Davis said of his team’s progress.
Bar far the worst ref crew I have ever seen.