LocalSportsJournal.com
SCOTTVILLE — It’s been awhile since a Manistee boys basketball team started the season 2-0, but the Mariners did it Tuesday night.
Just 24 hours after tipping off the season at home Monday night, the Mariners turned right around and made the short trip to Scottville to take on Mason County Central in non-conference action and walked away with a 52-43 victory.
After a slow start that saw them fall behind the Spartans by six points after the first quarter, 15-9, the Mariners drew within two, 27-25 at the half with a 16-12 second-quarter advantage.
Manistee struggled early on Monday as well before exploding for 41 points in the second half and rolling to the victory.
“They hit some early shots, and we got down 19-9,” said Manistee coach Zach Bialik. “But, the kids were resilient. They didn’t panic.
“You kind of look back at last year and you get nervous, wondering if that 10-point deficit is going to snowball, pointing fingers. I told the kids in the locker room that it was a team win and to feel good about it.”
Keeping their composure coming out for the second half, the Mariners climbed into a one-point lead, 34-33 heading into the fourth quarter and then clinched it by outscoring the Spartans, 18-10, in the final eight minutes.
It was the season opener for the Spartans, with Chris VanderHaag taking over for long-time head coach Tim Genson, who retired following a long and successful run on the bench.
“We came out with a lot of energy, but then fell flat in the second quarter,” VanderHaag said. “Jaxon Munoz picked up a couple fouls early, which threw off our rotation.
“A couple of guys showed up to play. Our energy was not where we need it to be. Some of it is due to our lack of experience, and first-game jitters.
“I believe in my guys. We will continue to get better as the season goes along.”
Junior point guard Kaden Kott led all scorers with 17 points for the Mariners while Tramel Caviness added 13. Mason Gunnett contributed nine.
Manistee made 5-of-18 attempts from 3-point range and was 22-of-69 overall from the field while the Mariners were 13-of-23 at the free-throw line.
Caviness led the Mariners on the boards with nine rebounds, Gunnett grabbed seven and Landyn Sowa and Jaret Edmondson had five apiece.
Austen Halcome picked off three steals and Jacob Scharp had two. Kott, Gunnett, Caviness and Sowa each had two assists.
Braylin Thurow and Cole VanderHaag notched 11 points apiece to lead the Spartans while Payton Merz contributed six.
The Mariners are next scheduled to travel to Fremont for the West Michigan Conference opener Friday night.
Mason County Central has its second home game of the season Friday night when the Spartans go against Hesperia in the West Michigan Conference.