LocalSportsJournal.com
NORTON SHORES – The Montague Wildcats overcame a slow first half and earned a 50-43 non-conference boys’ basketball victory over the Western Michigan Christian Warriors on Tuesday night.
Montague fell behind 23-15 at the half, but a 35-20 scoring advantage in the second half secured the season-opening victory.
Montague was led by Isaiah Atchison, who scored a game-high 13 points. He made 9-of-11 free throws on the night. He also had 13 rebounds, six steals and four blocked shots. Owen Raeth added 11 points, six assists and four steals while Kellen Francis and Jack Degen each chipped in eight points.
“We did not play our brand of basketball in the first half,” said Montague coach Nick Thaler. “Maybe it was first-game jitters, which is understandable. These kids are so amped up, they just needed to let the game come to them and execute down the stretch.”
“Great way to start off the season,” said Thaler.
WM Christian was led by Derrick Ashley with nine points. Fisher Campbell added eight points and Caleb Tejchma had seven.
WMC’s Kevin Jackson goes up for a shot against Isaiah Atchinson. Photo/Jason Goorman
Owen Raeth is defended by WMC’s Fisher Campbell. Photo/Jason Goorman
WMC’s Danny Maat blocks the shot of Riley Mulder. Photo/Jason Goorman
Isaiah Atchinson goes in for two against WMC’s Danny Maat (40). Photo/Jason Goorman
Levi Postema drives baseline against Montague’s Paul Olson. Photo/Jason Goorman
WMC’s Jonas Dutton gets swarmed by a host of Wildcats. Photo/Jason Goorman
Eli Malek goes up for a shot in the lane for WMC. Photo/Jason Goorman
