LocalSportsJournal.com

LUDINGTON — The Ludington boys basketball team opened play in the West Michigan Conference Lakes Division with a convincing 70-49 victory over Fremont on Friday night.

But it wasn’t quite as easy for the host Orioles as might first appear, as the Packers hung around for three quarters before falling back in the fourth.
 
The Orioles never led by more than 10 or 11 points until they finally started to pull away late in the third quarter, and especially early in the fourth.
 
Neither team got much juice going offensively in the first quarter, but the Orioles finished the period with a 10-6 lead. Ludington outscored Fremont, 23-16 in the second and entered the half with a 33-22 edge.
 
Fremont kept the score close for most of the third period, until the Orioles hit a late burst to outscore the Packers, 20-17 and take a 53-39 lead into the final period. Ludington had a 17-10 edge in the final stanza.
 
“Our effort these first two games has been absolutely outstanding,” said Ludington head coach Thad Shank. “I mean, the kids are just relentless on the defensive end, forcing turnovers and playing aggressively all 94 feet of the floor.
 
“I thought Fremont did a nice job of slowing us down early in the game. They’re athletic and long at every position, and they did a nice job with their 2-3 zone early on in the game.
 
“But, as time went on I thought we did a pretty good job of attacking and getting the shots we wanted. We made 11 3-point shots tonight, but we didn’t necessarily shoot well from the perimeter.”
 
David Shillinger led the Orioles with 19 points and Aidan Gilchrist contributed 15. Matthew Westhouse added nine points.
 
Jordan McDonald scored 27 points to lead all scorers on the night for the Packers.
 
Ludington improved its record to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the WMC Lakes and will next see action next Monday in a non-conference matchup with Traverse City West at home.

Fremont dropped its first game and fell to 1-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference, with the Packers next game Tuesday night at home against Big Rapids in a non-league tilt.

Photos courtesy of LSJ photographer Joe Washington