LocalSportsJournal.com
WHITEHALL — Whitehall’s boys basketball team finished the regular season with a tough 56-45 victory over Western Michigan Christian on Thursday night in a non-conference game at Whitehall.
The Vikings took a 14-12 edge at the end of the first quarter. Whitehall then put the defensive clamps on the Warriors in the second quarter, outscoring them 17-3 in the second period to build a 31-15 halftime lead.
WMC bounced back and outscored the Vikings, 18-11 in the third period and went into the fourth quarter trailing Whitehall, 42-33. The Vikings outscored the Warriors, 14-12 in the final eight minutes.
Camden Thompson paced the Vikings with 20 points and added nine rebounds and three steals. Isaac DeHart contributed 12 points and Red Watson added 10 points, four steals and nine assists.
“We got off to a slow start and were able to crawl back into the game and trail by just six early in the fourth quarter,” said WMC head coach Kurt Gruppen. “I was proud of our effort and determination to get back into the game.”
The Warriors were led by Owen Varnado with 17 points, followed by Jared Olsen with 12 while Sam Liggett added eight points.
Whitehall improved its season record to 15-5 with its fourth straight win, and the Vikings begin MHSAA district tournament play Wednesday night at Spring Lake.
The Warriors fell to 7-13 on the season with their second straight loss, and they tip off MHSAA district tournament action Monday night against North Muskegon at Western Michigan Christian.
