LocalSportsJournal.com

The Mona Shores boys basketball team dug itself into a first-half ditch against Kenowa Hills on Friday night but nearly pulled out a comeback.
 
The four-quarter battle that the Sailors pulled to within three points of tying early in the fourth quarter, came to a close as a 54-49 loss. 
 
Mona Shores offense was plagued early on as it trailed 13-3 to start the game. 
 
After a 6-2 Sailors’ run, highlighted by an Ethan Krueger breakaway dunk, the Sailors looked like they were about to pull out of their funk. 
 
But the second quarter came and the Sailors shots would not fall. 
 
Kenowa Hills, who had an inspired and balanced attack with nine players scoring in the game, responded by outscoring Mona shores 16-6 in the second quarter and led 33-17 at the break. 
 
Mona Shores came out of halftime with a 13-4 run of its own and was able to cut the deficit to 39-32 at the end of the third. 
 
Parker Swartz, Kenotae Richards and Krueger helped get the Sailors going as the three combined for 27 of the team’s 32 points in the second half. 
 
The Sailors opened the fourth with a 4-0 run and Swartz nailed a 3-pointer midway through the quarter to bring Mona Shores to within three points, 43-40. 
 
Kenowa Hills responded by completing a three-point play and the Sailors could not get any closer. 
 
Mona Shores was led by Swartz with 16 points while Richards scored 11 points and Krueger finished with eight. 
 
The Sailors continue action on Monday and Wednesday at the Cornerstone University holiday tournament. 

Check out photos from the action shot by Jason Goorman.