The Black River boys basketball team defeated Saugatuck 53-39 in a record-breaking opening round of the Division 3 district tournament.
Black River’s Jamison Huizenga scored 23 points to push his season total to 416, breaking the school record of 414. He also holds the single-game record with 44.
Melvin Thomas added 13 points and seven rebounds.
“I was really happy with our inside-outside decision on offense tonight,” Black River coach Darrion Denham said. “Our rotation was not executing the right way in the first half, so we need to clean that up in the second half. We sped Saugatuck up and made the take some tough shots which led to easy buckets in transition for us.”
The River Rats (8-14) advanced to the district semifinals against Wyoming Potter’s House at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Fennville.
The host Blackhawks will face Grandville Calvin Christian in the other semifinal at 7 p.m.
Meanwhile, it was the end of the season for Saugatuck.
“It was a tough season,” Saugatuck coach Ty Rock said. “We competed for three quarters tonight, but in the end, turnovers killed us. We battled and got as close as four points, then multiple turnovers stretched their lead to 15. The win-loss record was not what we intended, but we did get better over the course of the year. I had a lot of fun with this group and wish the seniors nothing but the best.
“We have some potential with the younger kids, but potential doesn’t mean anything if we don’t decide to put in the time, effort and commitment. The clock is already ticking to get ready for next year.”
BOYS BASKETBALL DISTRICTS
Holland 49, Zeeland West 33
The Dutch defeated the Dux in the first round of the Division 1 district tournament on Monday, Feb. 23, at Grand Haven.
Holland improved to 11-12 and advanced to the district finals against Grand Haven at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Leading the Dutch was Xavier Murphy, who had 19 points and Keegan Hulst who had 11 points.
The Dux were led by Maverick Jipping with eight points.
Hamilton 64, Wayland 58
The Hamilton boys basketball team defeated Wayland 64-58 on Monday, Feb. 23, in the first round of the Division 2 district tournament.
Garner Hulst scored 27 points and was 15-for-21 from the free-throw line. Damen Sabala added nine points.
The Hawkeyes advanced to face South Haven (15-1) in the semifinals on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Fremont 58, Zeeland East 55
The Chix lost the regular-season game on a buzzer-beater.
CC Kuras had 23 points, while Lizzie Risdon scored nine.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Black River star sets season scoring record in win; Holland, Hamilton advance
Reporting by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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