LocalSportsJournal.com
The Ravenna boys basketball team improved its record to 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the West Michigan Conference with an exciting 61-58 road victory over Hart on Tuesday.
Hart led 16-12 after one quarter, then Ravenna struck back to take a 33-31 lead at halftime. The Bulldogs extended their advantage to 49-42 after three, but the Pirates kept battling, outscoring Ravenna 16-12 down the stretch.
Ravenna went to the line leading by one point in the final seconds. The Bulldogs missed the free throw, got the rebound, went back to the line and hit a pair to lead by three points with three seconds left.
Hart missed a last-second 3-point attempt.
Josh Cox led Ravenna with 17 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals. Jacob May added 15 points, seven boards and four steals.
Alec Kempker led Hart with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Dustin Klotz added 11 points and six rebounds. The Pirates are now 4-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
WEST MICHIGAN CONFERENCE
NORTH MUSKEGON 53, WHITEHALL 35 – TJ McKenzie scored 24 points to lead the Norse to an easy conference win over Whitehall.
The Vikings led 13-9 after one quarter and only trailed 26-22 at halftime, but North Muskegon pulled away in the second half.
Ethan McKenzie had 14 points for Whitehall.
OAKRIDGE 62, SHELBY 37 – The Eagles jumped out to a 22-12 lead after the first, led 40-24 at halftime and cruised from there.
TJ Ruel led the Eagles with 17 points and seven rebounds while Peyton Young chipped in with 15 points.
Isaiah Frye paced the Tigers with 13 points and added 15 rebounds.
NON-LEAGUE
ORCHARD VIEW 44, FRUITPORT 34 – The Cardinals were able to overcome a tough fight from the Trojans Tuesday night in a non-conference battle.
The Cardinals led 9-8 after the first, 17-15 at the break and 29-26 after three. The Cardinals outscored the Trojans 15-8 in the fourth to pull away for the win.
Davion Lane paced Orchard View with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Luke Mitchell and Gavin Fisher led the Trojans with 10 points apiece.
MUSKEGON CATHOLIC CENTRAL 77, FRUITPORT CALVARY CHRISTIAN 44 – The Crusaders started out hot, grabbing a 14-3 lead after one quarter and a 31-18 edge at halftime.
MCC exploded in the second half, outscoring the Eagles 46-26 and cruising to the victory.
Seth Arends led the way for the Crusaders with 16 points and eight rebounds. Andre Watson chipped in with 15 points and seven rebounds.
Zach Zehr paced Calvary with 17 points while Jason Schuitema added 13.
WEST OTTAWA 47, MONA SHORES 40 – A slow start cost the Sailors in non-conference action.
The Panthers led 11-4 after the first, but the Sailors were able to chip away at the lead and narrow the score to 22-18 at the break.
Mona Shores only trailed 32-28 after three quarters, but could not complete the comeback.
James Gilbert was the Sailors’ leading scorer with 18 points while Jaylen Hopson added 10.
CEDAR SPRINGS 50, KENT CITY 47 – Cedar Springs hit a 26-footer at the buzzer to steal the win.
Cedar Springs jumped out to a 18-13 lead after the first, but the Eagles fought back in the second and took a 30-28 lead into the break.
Cedar Springs came out strong in the third, outscoring the Eagles 13-7 and taking a 41-37 lead into the fourth.
With 15 seconds left, Eagles guard Eli Carlson tied up the game with a layup and went to the line with a chance to give his team the lead. The foul shot was missed, giving the Red Hawks one last chance.
Then the basket at the buzzer sealed Kent City’s fate.
Carlson led the Eagles with 18 points while Brenden Geers added 17.