The Mason County Central girls basketball team is hoping to compete with perennial West Michigan Conference powers Oakridge and Shelby this season.
The Spartans took a major step toward that goal Friday night with a 59-51 victory over Shelby, which shared the league title with Oakridge last season.
MCC improved to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in league play. Shelby dropped to 0-2 and 0-1.
Shelby led by eight points at halftime, but Mason County Central took control by outscoring the Tigers 20-10 in the third quarter and 19-13 in the fourth. Shelby was stung by 28 turnovers in the contest.
Madison Geers paced the Spartans with 26 points while Payton Bladzik added 13.
Tristen Moore had a great game for Shelby, posting 24 points and 23 rebounds. McKenna Inglis added 11 points and seven rebounds while Chloe Stillman had six points.
