LocalSportsJournal.com
SHELBY – Friday’s matchup between Hesperia and Shelby’s boys basketball team featured two teams that have struggled to start the year.
In the end, the Panthers came out on top in a narrow 54-50 victory.
Hesperia got off to a hot start behind Bryce Billings, who scored 15 of the Panthers’ 18 points in the opening frame. Shelby kept things close initially, trailing just 18-14 after the first quarter, but Hesperia was able to distance themselves before the half. The Panthers went into the break ahead, 31-22.
The advantage remained on Hesperia’s side in the third quarter, but the score tightened in the final minutes of the game. Shelby managed to pull close, but six made free throws late by Hesperia’s Nicholas Guarnieri allowed the Panthers to pull away.
Billings finished the night as the game’s top scorer with 24 points while Guarnieri neared a double-double with 10 points and nine assists for Hesperia. Ethan O’Neil held down the post by scoring 11 and tallying six blocked shots.
Shelby was led by Lalo Garcia (16 points) and Phillip Hayes (10 points). Eli Kelley added nine points and Wyatt Dickman scored all eight of his points from the charity stripe.
Hesperia (3-5, 2-2 WMC Rivers) will take a break from conference play as they travel to Custer on Monday for a meeting with Mason County Eastern.
Shelby (1-8, 0-4 WMC Rivers) also have a non-conference up next. The Tigers will travel to Newaygo to take on the Lions next Tuesday.
