By Greg Gielczyk
LocalSportsJournal.com

MANISTEE — Walkerville’s boys basketball team pulled out a 42-38 win over Manistee Catholic Central Tuesday night in a West Michigan D League game in Manistee.

It was close all the way, as the Wildcats led just 10-8 at the end of the first quarter and 8-5 in the second for a slim 18-13 lead at the half.

But the Sabers turned things around in the third quarter and outscored the Wildcats, 13-8, to close the gap to just one point, 26-25, going into the fourth. Walkerville had a 16-13 edge in the fourth.

“We came out flat in the second half and let them get ahead of us,” Walkerville coach Lee Oomen said. “We battled back and forth until we finally took the lead for good with about two minutes to go. Unfortunately, we couldn’t pull away comfortably as we struggled from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. But we were able to hang on for the win.”

Connor Shafer led the Wildcats with 14 points and Jordan Oomen added 10.

Angel Santillan scored nine points, dished off for five assists and had four rebounds. Abdel ripped down 14 rebounds and scored five points. Zeontae De La Paz added 13 rebounds, two blocks and five points.

The Wildcats improved to 9-11 overall, 8-8 in the league. Walkerville hosts Brethren in a WMD game Thursday night.