LocalSportsJournal.com
 
SHELBY — Sharp shooting in the opening quarter got the North Muskegon boys basketball team off to a fast start on Tuesday night.

 

The Norsemen rode that momentum to a 66-41 victory over Shelby on the road in the West Michigan Conference Rivers Division.

After building an 11-point lead, 19-8, at the end of the first quarter, the rest of the game was played more evenly.
 
But the early surge was enough to keep the host Tigers at bay. The Norsemen forged a 35-22 lead at the half and 48-32 after three quarters.
 
Shelby finished the game with an impressive 18-9 run in the fourth quarter.
 
“We had a hard time guarding Bishop Lee inside, but checked up on their shooters,” said North Muskegon coach Charles Rypstra. “Shelby does a nice job of running their sets. You really have to defend the whole court.”
 
Brandon Rypstra made 4-of-5 shots from beyond the arc and finished with 16 points to lead the Norsemen. Lamarkis Graham followed with 13 points. Sam Gallo added 10 points and five rebounds. Troy McManus had a solid all-around game with nine points, eight assists, six rebounds and three steals. Denny Belmonte pulled down six rebounds and dished out six assists.
 
Lee paced the Tigers with 17 points and Trey Waller contributed eight. Mason Garcia and Lee had seven rebounds apiece. Garcia also had six assists and two steals, while Carson Claeys dished out three assists.
 
North Muskegon (4-1, 2-1) is scheduled to travel to Ravenna for a conference game Thursday (weather permitting).
 
Shelby (0-5, 0-3) is scheduled for play at Manistee on Thursday (weather permitting).