LocalSportsJournal.com

KENT CITY–The visiting Grant Tigers held a 24-point first half lead against Kent City on Friday evening before hanging on for a 75-68 Central State Activities Association win.

Grant raced out to a 18-7 first-quarter lead. They increased the lead to 43-21 by halftime by outscoring Kent City, 25-14, during the second quarter.

The Eagles cut into the Grant lead during the third period with a 17-7 scoring edge and cut the Tigers’ lead to 50-38 going into the fourth quarter.

The final eight minutes were filled with an offensive explosion from both teams with a combined 55 points. Kent City held the upper hand, 30-25. The Eagles were trailing by only three with 11 seconds remaining and came up with a steal, but couldn’t convert.

“We came out extremely tentative and didn’t execute on either end,” said Kent City coach David Ingles. “We got down by 24 points.  I’ll give my guys credit. They decided to battle and fought their way almost all the way back. We can’t keep falling behind early and have to play catch-up the entire second half.”
 
Freshman Aaron Vanderwest led Kent City with 14 points while Will Harrison tossed in 13 points. 
 
Grant (10-7, 6-3) will travel to Montague on Tuesday.
 
Kent City (11-7, 6-3) will host Grand Rapids West Michigan Aviation Academy next Wednesday.
 

Photo courtesy of photographer Krisha Wainright