LocalSportsJournal.com
 

NORTH MUSKEGON — Jayden Perrone poured in 26 points on Friday night and led the Mason County Central boys to their second straight win, 51-44 over host North Muskegon.

It was the Spartans’ initial contest in the West Michigan Conference Rivers Division.
 
Friday night was a difficult matchup for the Spartans.
 
“It was a really steady game for us,” said Spartans’ coach Tim Genson. “We were as solid a team as we needed to be in the big moments. That was a huge hurdle. We never got rattled. We just took care of the ball. We just hung tough. It was a good, tough basketball game.”
 
The Spartans had not defeated the Norsemen at their gym in eight seasons. The last victory at North Muskegon came in 2014.
 
Neither team could gain a foothold in the first quarter, as the two teams battled to a 7-all tie.
 
Mason County pushed ahead with a 15-11 advantage in the second quarter, which gave the Spartans a 22-18 edge at the half. The Spartans were outscored, 14-13 in the third period, however, and entered the fourth quarter leading 35-34.
 
But the Spartans were able to spread the margin out in the fourth quarter with a 16-12 advantage.
 
Perrone’s 26 points was one point shy of his career high. He also hauled down 12 rebounds.
 
Will Chye, the Spartans’ senior leader, finished with 15 points, all but four coming at the fre- throw line as he converted 11-of-12. The Spartans were 16-of-20 at the charity stripe overall. Chye also had five rebounds. Jack Vanderhaag tossed in seven points and picked off two steals on defense.
 
North Muskegon was paced by Chase Young, who had 13 points. Troy McManus chipped in with 12 and pulled down seven rebounds.
 
The Spartans (2-0 1-0) will visit Holton Thursday night in a conference matchup.
 
North Muskegon (1-1, 0-1) will host Western Michigan Christian in a non-conference game Monday.