By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON—The Hart Pirates made quick work of the Hesperia Panthers on Monday evening in the opening round of the Division 4 boys district basketball tournament being held at Western Michigan Christian by a score of 63-36.
Hart jumped out quick and led 12- 4 after the first eight minutes of action. The Pirates increased there lead to 26-16 by the halftime intermission.
Hart put the game away in the third quarter outscoring the Panthers 23-6 to take a commanding 49-22 lead into the fourth quarter. Each team netted 14 points in the final eight minutes.
Wyatt Dean led all scorers for the evening with a game high 17 points. Dean also had seven assists to go with five steals for Hart. Dean was 7-of-8 from the field. Also in double digits for the Pirates was Caleb Bitely who tossed in 15 points along with four steals. Blake Weirich led the Pirates with seven rebounds.
Hart had ten players find the scoring column, while dishing out 14 assists. The Pirates connected on 5-of23 from 3-point land.
Mosley Maddox Jr. led the Hesperia offense with a team high 14 points. Ian Fox and Ethan O’Neil each scored seven points respectively for the Panthers.
Hart improves to 7-14 overall and will take on Holton on Wednesday evening. The Red Devils come in with a 14-6 overall record. Game time is set for approximately 7 p.m. at Western Michigan Christian High School.
Hesperia finishes the season with a 1-19 record.
Check out photos from the game shot by Leo Valdez.
