West Michigan Roundup, Monday 12/19/22

West Michigan Roundup, Monday 12/19/22

Best Win: GR Union over Benton Harbor 72-63

Benton Harbor entered the contest with a (2-0) record featuring two 40+ point victories. Union on the other hand, entered the game (1-1) following a 16 point loss to rival Ottawa Hills on Saturday. Benton Harbor led by six points entering the fourth quarter, but a 16-3 run left Benton Harbor trailing 60-53 midway through the fourth quarter. Marquan Ross led the way for Union with 26 points while Kyale Lockridge added 14 points. This is a disappointing loss for Benton Harbor, and it will be interesting to see how they bounce back on Thursday against Watervliet.

Next Best: Godwin Heights 59, Reeths-Puffer 57

In the second boys game of the night at Cornerstone, (2-0) Godwin Heights and (1-1) Reeths-Puffer matched up for a high-level game. Godwin Heights led 9-0 to start the contest, but Reeths-Puffer kept the game tight the entire duration falling by just two points. It was senior guard Jakhary Towns leading the way for Godwin Heights. Towns had 30 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists to lead his Wolverines to victory. Reeths-Puffer junior duo of Travis Ambrose and Jaxson Whitaker had 20 points and 15 points respectively. Godwin Heights will advance to the title game featuring unbeaten FH Eastern.

OK Conf.

CU Holiday Tournament

FH Eastern 63, East GR 51

FHE: Mac DenBraber (16 pts), Aiden Sullivan (16 pts)

EGR: Simon Neuhaus (24 pts)

Godwin Heights 59, Reeths-Puffer 57

GH: Jakhary Towns (30 pts)

RP: Travis Ambrose (20 pts), Jaxson Whitaker (15 pts)

Southwest MI

Non-Conf

Buchanan 51, Constantine 38

Concord 48, Sturgis 40 (OT)

Decatur 37, Climax-Scotts 32

D: Landon Fisher (16 pts), Landon Rose (9 pts)

CS: Lance Smith (11 pts)

GR Union 72, Benton Harbor 63

U: Marquan Ross (26 pts), Kyale Lockridge (14 pts)

Marcellus 52, Gobles 51

Phoenix 73, Countryside 58

Union City 95, Marshall Acad. 7

UC: Landon Galvin (23 pts), Rick Austin (14 pts)

Mason Holiday Tourn.

Loy Norrix 74, Lansing Sexton 69

LN: Brandon Parker (18 pts), Cedric Huntley (15 pts)

Game I Attended: Decatur 37, Climax-Scotts 32

As Monday’s schedule was quite light in the area, I decided to check out a matchup featuring two smaller schools. Decatur entered the game (2-2) led by seniors Landon Fisher and Jesse Baushke while Climax-Scotts entered (2-1).

Decatur jumped out to an early 10-3 lead with Landon Fisher scoring six quick points in the paint. Fisher closed the quarter with eight points and a 18-7 Decatur lead.

Climax-Scotts struggled with turnovers in the first half, partially due to their starting point guard Lance Smith picking up his 3rd foul with over five minutes remaining in the second quarter. Luckily for Climax-Scotts, Decatur was in the same offensive rut with Landon Fisher on the bench. The second quarter concluded with a total of eight points scored and a 23-10 Decatur halftime lead.

Decatur senior forward Landon Fisher took over once again in the third quarter scoring six points on a perfect 3-3 from the field. Climax was able to answer this quarter with four points from soph. Chase VanMiddlesworth and their first three-pointer from Billy Felton. The Decatur lead was 33-19 after the third quarter.

After a quiet first three quarters, Climax-Scotts Lance Smith scored his team’s first six points of the final frame to pull the Panthers within nine points at 34-25. Decatur struggled with taking care of the ball in the fourth quarter, and Climax-Scotts actually got within four points after entering the quarter trailing by 14. Climax-Scotts star Lance Smith knocked down a three-pointer with :18 left to trail 36-32, but Decatur would end up with the victory 37-32.

It is worth noting that Climax-Scotts was without all-conference big Miles Shannon who was recovering from an illness. Leading the scoring for Decatur was Landon Fisher with 16 points and soph. Landon Rose with 9 points. The lone Panther in double-figures was Lance Smith with 11 points.