Photo courtesy of Lou Murray: Check out his photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/45681226@N02/albums/72157720217746614
The MHSAA boys basketball season began on Monday evening. Others began competition on Tuesday. All of the scores, as well as some key highlights of the action can be found below:
MONDAY DECEMBER 6
Comstock Park 50 Wellspring Prep 31: The Tye Edwards era at Comstock Park got off to a strong start, as the Panthers toppled Wellspring Prep. Up five after the first quarter, CP used a 13-4 second quarter edge to open this game up. A victory in the final two quarters brought the game to its final count. Charlie Commeret led CP with 16 points, while Ramsey Brower added 14. Zeekeal Jackson was the leading scorer for Wellspring with 10.
Fruitport Calvary Christian 77 Pentwater 35: The Eagles began their 2021-22 season with a commanding victory over Pentwater. It was 22-19 after the opening frame, before a 22-7 edge in the second quarter allowed them to create separation. Bradley Richards led Fruitport Calvary Christian with 27 points and 17 rebounds. Jacob May added 13 points and 10 assists, while Ethan Cammenga finished with 8 points and 8 rebounds. Tyler Plummer led Pentwater with 22 points, including 16 in the first quarter.
Ravenna 65 West Michigan Aviation Academy 50: The Bulldogs took down WMAA in a non-conference battle on Monday evening. Four players from Ravenna finished in double figures. Travis May led the way with 22 points, while Grant Becklin and Kyle Beebe each had 13. Clay Schullo was the fourth Bulldog in double figures with 10.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 7
Barry County Christian 50 West Michigan Lutheran 29
Frankenmuth 65 New Lothrop 37: The Eagles took down the Hornets in their season opener. Drew Titsworth finished with a double-double, scoring 18 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Nate Jackson added 15 points and 8 rebounds for the Eagles. Ty Kohlmann led NL with 22 points.
Fremont 54 Shelby 47: The Packers topped the Tigers in the 2021-22 opener. Shelby was led by Bishop Lee, who finished with 24 points and 11 offensive rebounds. Joseph Hayes joined him in double figures with 14. Joey DeLong led Fremont with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals. Logan Nelson added 8 points, 7 assists and 2 steals. Eli Shears finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals off of the bench.
Fruitport Calvary Christian 64 Mason County Central 58: The Eagles won their second game in as many days, taking down the Spartans by six in a road game. It was an even game in the first half, as both teams scored 29 points. FCC led by three with two minutes left, resulting in MCC beginning their late-game fouling. The Eagles hit ten consecutive free throws to seal the victory. Ethan Cammenga stood in and took a key charge with 15 seconds left, and FCC only holding a two-point lead. “We knew this would be a guy check game, and the big question was whether our kids could fight through the fatigue and find a way to win,” Calvary Christian Coach Brad Richards shared. Jacob May had 27 points and 11 assists for the Eagles. Brad Richards matched him with 27 points, while adding 15 rebounds.
Grandville 53 Mona Shores 49: The Bulldogs went on the road to open their 2021-22 season, squaring off with the Mona Shores Sailors. It was a close game throughout, with Grandville delivering Head Coach Desmond Young his first victory. Brayden Gable led the way with 16 points for the ‘Dawgs, while Trey Johnson hit four triples to finish with 12. Cam Rengerus had 11 points to along with 7 blocks, while Tyson Mann also added 11.
Grant 82 Kent City 74: Points were a plenty in this season opener that ultimately went the way of the Tigers. After racing out to a 28-19 first quarter lead, poor shot selection and defense caught up with Kent City. Grant slowly inched their way back, before a 28-15 fourth quarter finish. Hayden Carlson led Kent City with 28 points, 9 assists and 4 rebounds. Kyler Larson chipped in 21 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals.
Greenville 77 Central Montcalm 50
Hart 57 Western Michigan Christian 47: The Pirates travelled to WMC and emerged with a 10-point victory. Hart trailed by six after the first quarter, but slowly worked their way back. By the end of the third quarter, they led by 8. Parker Hovey led Hart with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 4 steals. Caleb Bitely added 17 points on 6/11 shooting and 3/4 from the charity stripe. Jake VanderWilk added 7 points and 6 boards for the Pirates. Sam Ligget led WMC with 20 points and 4 rebounds, while Jaron Childers added 10. Joe Waller finished with a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with his 4 points.
Holland Christian 51 Calvin Christian 46: The Maroons held off the Squires in a competitive season opener for both teams. Adam Kroeze led HC with 19 points, while Jalen Overway added 15.
Holton 47 Tri-County 31: The Red Devils begin their 2021-22 season with a home victory against the Vikings. Wyatt Monnette led Holton with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Austin Fowler added 12 points and 4 assists, while Carter Brant finished with 7 points and 5 rebounds. Blake Nelson led Tri-County offensively with 9 points.
Kelloggsville 64 Fennville 56: The Rockets defeated the Blackhawks on Tuesday evening to start the season off with a victory. In defeat, Fennville was led by Dylan Schut with 16 points. Tyler Schut (15) and Ben Peterson (11) joined him in double figures.
Marshall 55 Edwardsburg 43: The Eddies suffered a defeat in their season opener on Tuesday. After narrowly trailing 15-12 eight minutes in, Edwardsburg was outscored 11-3 in the second quarter. The second half was closer, 29-28 in favor of the Red Hawks. Jacob Pegura led Edwardsburg with 11, while Luke Stowasser added 10.
North Muskegon 53 Muskegon Catholic Central 23: The Norsemen jumped out to a 17-5 first quarter lead, propelling themselves to a season-opening victory. Troy McManus paced NM with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, while Jason Bogue joined him in double figures with 10. Bradon Gustin and Jaden Johnson led MCC with 5 each, as the Crusaders finished 9/45 from the floor, committing 26 turnovers while recording zero assists.
Northpointe Christian 94 Grand River Prep 52
Rockford 63 East Grand Rapids 58: The Rams held off the Pioneers in the season opener. EGR led 16-15 after the first quarter, before a five-point edge by the Rams in the second frame gave Rockford the lead. After an even third quarter, Rockford was able to hold off the Pioneers over the final eight minutes. Jack Lamancusa led Rockford with 18 points, scoring 14 in the fourth quarter. Caden Pokorzynski added 13 points, while Charlie Deutsch chipped in 11. On the East Grand Rapids side offensively, the Pioneers were led by Simon Neuhaus with 28 points. Drew Caswell (12) and David Bernecker (10) joined Neuhaus in double figures.
Saranac 51 Belding 46
Saugatuck 52 Allegan 38
Spring Lake 58 Whitehall 36: The Lakers started the 2021-22 season with a 20-point win over Whitehall. Spring Lake held Whitehall to 28% shooting, while winning the rebounding battle 42-26. Jack Houtteman paced the Vikings with 9 points, while Red Watson added 8.
Union 55 Ottawa Hills 55: The classic City rivalry between Ottawa Hills and Union came to a heartbreaking end on Tuesday. It was a back-and-forth affair throughout, but there would be no winner. With a multitude of fights breaking out in the bleachers, the game was called with just two seconds left in a tie game.
Unity Christian 68 Covenant Christian 56: In a battle of two great programs, the ‘Saders got off to a great start. Behind 25 points from Gabe Newhof, they took down the Chargers.
