LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON — A strong second half propelled the Mason County Central boys basketball team past Orchard View, 38-24, in non-conference action Monday night at OV.
The Spartans led by just one, 20-19, at the half after opening the game with an 11-7 advantage over the first eight minutes. In that quarter, the Spartans went 6-of-6 at the free-throw line.
Central extended its lead to 10 points, 33-23, at the end of the third period after outscoring the Cardinals, 13-4. The Spartans won a low-scoring final period, 5-1.
“We wanted to come out and set the tone,” said Spartans coach Chris Vander Haag. “Our guys really bought in tonight on defense. Our team effort was better tonight. Eathen Huffman had a good game for us tonight. H was a different maker in the paint defensively.
“Cole Vander Haag was solid for us tonight on both ends. He was strong with the ball. OV runs a good up-tempo game, and our guards were able to stay in control.”
Vander Haag paced the Spartans with 14 points, three assists and two steals. Dakota Sterley contributed 11 points and two blocked shots.
The Spartans snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 5-6 on the season and next travels to Hart for a West Michigan Conference Rivers matchup Thursday night.
It was the Cardinals’ fourth straight loss, dropping them to 3-8 on the season. Thursday night, OV visits Fremont.
