LocalSportsJournal.com

HART–In a highly anticipated rematch between the top two teams in the West Michigan Conference Rivers Division, Hart topped Mason County Central on Friday, 51-32.

With the win, Hart has won 12 straight games and has clinched a share of the league title.

“I’m proud of how we played tonight, every girl played an important role,” said Hart coach Travis Rosema. “In a game like this, so many small details like boxing out, ball security, setting good screens and bringing energy go unnoticed.”

The Spartans’ defense struggled to stop Harts’ Aspen Boutell, Addi Hovey and Abby Hicks. The trio combined to score all but one of the Pirates’ points.

Boutell led all scorers with 20 points. Hovey tossed in 16 points while Hicks pumped in 14. Boutell grabbed four rebounds. Hovey hauled down six rebounds, came up with five steals and had two blocked shots. Hicks had seven rebounds, dished out three assists and had five steals.

Hart jumped out to a 11-7 lead after the first quarter. Hart hit three shots from beyond the arc.

The Pirates increased their lead to 25-17 by halftime. Boutell picked up her third personal foul so Savannah Owens came off the bench and stepped up. Meanwhile, the Spartans struggled from the charity stripe going 1-of-5.

Hart continued to force Mason County Central to play catchup ball in the third quarter as they held a 14-10 scoring edge. Hart led 39-27 heading into the fourth.

Rosema went to a stall during the final eight minutes and forced the Spartans out of their zone defense. Mason County Central was forced to foul down the stretch and the Pirates went 9-of-13 from the free-throw line.

Wren Nelson and Mallory Miller led Mason County Central with seven points apiece. Nelson grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds. Grace Weinert, Peyton Welch and Eva Hradel each chipped in points for the Spartans.

Hart (16-2, 10-0) will travel to Western Michigan Christian on Monday night.

Mason County Central (14-3, 8-2) will host Whitehall on Tuesday.

Hart junior guard Abby Hicks in the lane on Friday evening against Mason County Central (Photo/Leo Valdez)

Addi Hovey goes up for two of her 16 points on Friday evening against Mason County Central (Photo/Leo Valdez)

Mason County Central head coach Mike Weinert (Photo/Leo Valdez)