Local Sports Journal
The inside game of Bernard Smith sparked the Western Michigan Christian Warriors to an 80-52 victory over visiting Freedom Christian on Friday night.
Smith, a junior post player, erupted for 34 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots as the Warriors improved their record to 12-5 on the season.
Smith used his wide body and strength to score 19 points in the opening half and 15 more in the second.
WMC led 34-26 at the half before posting 46 second-half points. That second-half performance included 23 points in each of the final two quarters.
Seniors Henry DeKam (12 points) and Nate Taylor (11 points) also reached double figures for the Warriors.
WMC was aided by seven 3-pointers and a 15-for-19 performance from the free-throw line.
John Koetsier and Regan Hoezee each scored 19 points for the Falcons, who will leave the River Valley Conference after this season and join the Alliance League.
Western Michigan Christian 80, Freedom Christian 52
FREEDOM CHRISTIAN
Ben Teisman 1 0-0 3, Austin Gernaat 3 2-2 9, John Koetsier 7 1-5 19, Reagan Hoezee 7 5-6 19, Josh Quellette 1 0-0 2. Totals 19 8-13 52.
WESTERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN
Nate Taylor 4 0-0 11, James Jackson 3 1-1 7, Logan Waller 3 0-0 7, Alex Rop 1 2-2 5, Chaise Schuiteman 0 0-0 0, Henry DeKam 5 0-0 12, Jacob Ray 1 0-0 2, Christian Brower 0 2-2 2, Bernard Smith 12 10-14 34.
Freedom 12 – 14 – 12 – 14 – 52
WMC 17 – 17 – 23 – 23 – 80
3-pointers: Taylor (3), Waller, Rop, DeKam, Teisman, Gernaat, Koetsier (4). Fouled out: Gernaat. Total fouls: Freedom 18, WMC 15. Technicals: Schuiteman. JV: WMC 59-15.
