LocalSportsJournal.com
CARSON CITY — Ravenna struggled out of the gate against North Muskegon’s inspired defense, but the Bulldogs picked up the pace in the second quarter and managed to pull out a close 43-40 win in the MHSAA Division 3 regional tournament at Carson City.
Free throws made the difference, as the Bulldogs shot 12 of 18 while the Norsemen never went to the line all night.
“It was their attacking in transition, which led led to the free throws,” Norsemen head coach Charles Rypstra. “We fought hard, but had a few too many turnovers and missed shots.”
Ravenna finished the first quarter with a 10-7 lead on the Norsemen, but North Muskegon rebounded to outscore the Bulldogs, 12-3 in the second and took a 19-
13 lead at the half.
The Bulldogs regrouped during the break and outscored the Norsemen, 15-10 in the third quarter to narrow the gap to one, 29-28 after three. Ravenna then pulled the game out with a 15-11 edge in the final eight minutes.
Kyle Beebe paced the Bulldogs with 16 points followed by Clay Schullo added 13 points and hauled down 10 rebounds. Grant Becklin scored eight points and dished out three assists. Beebe had two steals.
North Muskegon was led by Brandon Rypstra with 10 points , while Troy McManus added eight and James Young scored seven. Young also had five assists and two steals. Ben Meyers had two assists and Bo Nedeau had two steals.
Ravenna improved to 16-5 with its sixth straight win, and next plays Pewamo-Westphalia in the regional championship game Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
North Muskegon finished the season 15-9.
