LocalSportsJournal.com
NORTH MUSKEGON — Hart’s Parker Hovey had a huge impact on Friday night and led the Hart Pirates to a 61-46 victory over host North Muskegon.
In a key second-quarter run, Hovey converted on a pair of three-point plays to push the Pirates to a 29-20 lead at halftime. In all, Hovey finished with 26 points. He also grabbed a team high 13 rebounds and dished out seven assists.
The game was deadlocked at 10-all after one quarter, but a 19-10 run in the second quarter pushed the visitors into a more comfortable lead.
“The halftime speech was to keep doing what we were, but hopefully make a few more shots,” North Muskegon coach Chuck Rypstra said. “Give Hart credit as they were able to hold us to 17 percent from the 3-point line and we made a few late to get it to that number. We never really made it close in the second half.”
The Pirates owned a 14-point lead after three quarters and cruised to the victory.
Besides Hovey, Hart received 16 points from Blake Weirich. Weirich also grabbed 10 rebounds.
North Muskegon was led by Sam Gallo with 13 points, six rebounds. Gallo made 6-of-7 shots from the field. James Young added 1- points and six rebounds. Troy McManus had 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Hart (8-0, 3-0) will travel to Mason County Central next Thursday, January 12.
The Norsemen (5-2, 2-2) hosts Montague next Thursday.
