By Greg Gielczyk
LocalSportsJournal.com

MONTAGUE – After upsetting Whitehall, the Manistee boys basketball team worried some of its faithful fans about suffering a letdown in its next outing.

It seemed to be happening early on Friday night against Montague, but the Mariners recovered and quickly gained control to finish with a 57-48 win over the Wildcats for a West Michigan Conference Lakes Division victory.

“We didn’t have our best stuff in the beginning, but I think the kids did a good job of responding,” said Manistee coach Zach Bialik. “We were a little lackadaisical in the fourth quarter, but at the end of the day, it’s a win.

“It’s always hard going on the road, especially here at the end of the year with Parents’ Nights giving everybody extra energy,” said Bialik. “Our offense might not always be there, but we have to rely on other things to get us over the hump, and I think we’re getting to that point.”

Montague kept the score close in the first quarter, but the Mariners managed to lead 10-9 at the horn.
The Wildcats stayed right on the Mariners heels throughout the first half, and trailed by only a 21-15 margin at the break.
The Mariners all but iced the game with a 19-8 third quarter sprint and went into the fourth with a solid, 40-23 cushion. That lead turned out to be fortunate for the Mariners as the Wildcats went ona 25-17 run in the final period.
 
Kaden Kott led all scorers with 16 points for the Mariners, while Landin Sowa added 11 and Max Scharp had eight. Kott also had six assists and four steals.

Cole Herremans led the Wildcats with 12 points, Jack Degen contributed 11 points and Riley Mulder had 10.

Manistee got back to .500 on the season at 10-10 and improved to 6-5 in the conference. The Mariners host Ravenna next Tuesday.

The Wildcats dropped to 4-16 overall and 1-10 in the conference. Montague is next scheduled to play Tuesday at Mason County Central in non-conference action.