LocalSportsJournal.com
SHELBY — Trailing by four at halftime, the Shelby boys basketball team rallied in the second half for its third-straight win and overturned visiting Mason County Central, 54-44 in a West Michigan Conference game at home on Tuesday.
Just as perilous as things looked for the Tigers in the first half, things turned around in a hurry for them in the second as they came out of the locker room fired up and gained quick command.
The Tigers found themselves down, 11-4 after the first period. Shelby narrowed the deficit to four points, 24-20 at the half with an 18-13 edge in the second period.
Shelby sent the Spartans into a tailspin in the third quarter, racing out of the gate with an 8-0 run. The Tigers maintained the lead the rest of the way.
“We threw the ball away on three straight possessions, and they scored,” Spartans head coach Tim Genson said. “We had terrible passes, and terrible defense.
“All of a sudden we went from leading, 24-20 to being behind, 28-26 in a stretch of two minutes.”
Shelby took a 38-28 lead into the fourth quarter and outscored the Sports 16-15 edge in the final eight minutes.
Joseph Hayes scored just seven points in the first half, but scored 20 in the second for a game-high 27 to lead the Tigers. He also grabbed six rebounds. Bishop Lee knocked down 11 and also snagged five rebounds.
The Spartans were led by Will Chye who tossed in 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Jack VanderHaag contributed nine points.
Shelby improved its season record to 10-5 overall and 7-4 in the conference. The Tigers are next scheduled to take the floor Friday night hosting Montague in another conference game.
Mason County Central saw its record drop to 4-11 overall and 1-10 in the conference with its third straight loss. The Spartans are next scheduled to see action Friday night hosting Ravenna in the WMC.
