By Ron Rop
Local Sports Journal

HOLLAND – The Western Michigan Christian Warriors fell behind early and were forced to play catch-up all night long against the Holland Christian Maroons.

In the end, the Maroons balance was too much as they defeated the visiting Warriors 60-52 in a game played at the Holland Civic Center.

Holland Christian raced out to a 19-8 lead after one quarter and led by seven, 31-24 at the half.

The Maroons extended the lead to 47-33 after three quarters. The Warriors showed some life in the final quarter and pulled to within seven at 57-50 with 38 seconds remaining.

“It was a physical game,” WMC coach Kyle Mastenbrook said. “We were out of position too much early and that got us into a hole. They were able to take advantage of it.”

Junior Bernard Smith led the Warriors (11-5) with 15 points and 16 rebounds. Nate Taylor added eight points while James Jackson, Logan Waller and Henry DeKam had seven each.

Holland Christian had 10 players get in the scorebook, including Jonathon Hop with 12 points and Kyle Steigenga with 11.

“They played well,” Mastenbrook said. “They had a lot of guys contribute and they hit some big buckets when we trying to make a run.

“We just dug ourselves a hole and were not able to get out of it,” Mastenbrook said. “We fought all the way through it and I was proud of that.”

Holland Christian 60, Western Michigan Christian 52

WESTERN MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN
Nate Taylor 3 0-0 8, James Jackson 2 1-2 7, Logan Waller 2 3-3 7, Henry DeKam 3 0-0 7, Bernard Smith 7 1-4 15, Alex Rop 1 0-0 2, Jacob Ray 1 2-2 4, Sam Mast 1 0-0 2. Totals 20 7-11 52.

HOLLAND CHRISTIAN
Kurtis Slenk 1 0-0 3, Max Wierda 1 0-0 3, Jared Dykstra 2 0-0 6, Justin Dykgraaf 2 0-0 4, Nick Hill 0 1-3 1, Matt Maas 3 1-2 7, Nathan Walters 1 2-4 5, Kyle Steigenga 5 1-7 11, Jonathan Hop 3 5-6 12, Sam VanderSluis 3 2-3 8. Totals 21 12-25 60.

WMC 8 – 16 – 9 – 19 — 52
Holl Chr. 19 – 12 – 16 – 13 — 60
3-pointers: Taylor (2), Jackson (2), DeKam, Slenk, Wierda, Dykstra (2),Walters, Hop. Total fouls: WMC 18, Holland Christian 12. Fouled out: none. Technicals: none.