LocalSportsJournal.com
SHELBY– It was close. For the first half.
Then the Shelby boys basketball team grabbed total command, pulling away from Manistee for a 58-38 non-conference win in the second game of a doubleheader at Shelby Tuesday night.
Manistee, however, appeared intent on making a game of it early when the Chippewas rallied from a 10-2 deficit midway through the first quarter to pull into a 13-10 lead at the horn.
Joseph Hayes was a major part of the Tigers’ early run, scoring eight points himself.
But, then the Chippewas recovered from that early onslaught, and stormed back behind the scoring of freshman Cayden Kott, whose 3-point bomb put Manistee ahead, 12-10.
Although the Shelby defense began to unravel Manistee’s quick strike offense, it took some time to start pulling away from the Chippewas.
The Chippewas still only trailed by one, 16-15 before Mason Garcia hit the second of his 3-point shots to stretch Shelby’s lead to four, 19-15. A 3-point bomb by Hays pushed the Tigers out to a 14-point lead, 30-19 at the half. It was 43-29 after three.
Hayes led all scorers in the game for the Tigers with 23 points. Mason Garcia joined him in double figures with 10, while Carson Claeys added nine.
Joseph Hayes of Shelby led all scorers with a game high 23 points on Tuesday evening in the Tigers win over Manistee (Photo/Leo Valdez)
Bishop Lee hauled in 13 rebounds and Hayes had six. Garcia dished out four assists and he also had three steals. The Tigers had 11 turnovers and Manistee 19.
The Tigers outrebounded the Chippewas, 32-17. Shelby had a total of 13 team assists.
“Our team assists have been in double figures every game, and that’s something I’m really pleased with,” Shelby coach Richard Zoulek said. “It’s been nice.”
Shelby improved to 3-1 on the season.
