STURGIS — A fourth-quarter rally by Sturgis came up a bit short on Friday night. The Trojans hosted defending Wolverine Conference champion Paw Paw in the team’s home opener but fell short in a 55-44 decision to the Red Wolves.
Paw Paw’s quick pace on offense and rapid hands-on defense was the difference in the game. The Red Wolves sped the Trojans up, forcing live ball turnovers and an uncomfortable style of play for Sturgis.
Sturgis poured in 19 points in the fourth quarter, the most for either team in a quarter for the game. Paw Paw was able to register double-digit scoring in each of the four quarters, often times knocking down perimeter shots or scoring in transition.
The Red Wolves held leads of 12-6 after one quarter and 27-15 at halftime. The lead was 40-25 entering the fourth.
Sturgis got 12 points from Lukis Bir, Beckett Lamb added 11. Simon Phillips connected on six points while Wyatt Miller scored five. Fernando Villasan and Gavin Lewis both scored three points, Oliver Lamb and Dane VanNest each put in two points.
With the loss, Sturgis fell to 1-1. The Trojans have a quick turnaround with Harper Creek visiting on Tuesday evening.
Truman Brennan led the Red Wolves with 18 points in the game on Friday.
Mendon beats Colon in overtime
Mendon and Colon opened the hoops season on Friday night, the game went into overtime with the Hornets winning 80-73. Ryder Gorham secured a triple-double with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He also had five steals.
“Hard fought game on both sides, as it always is with Colon,” Mendon coach Matt Gorham said. “Well coached and those kids kept battling. Very proud of my guys and how they executed down the stretch.”
The teams were tied at 71 following four quarters of action. In the overtime period, Mendon was able to score on a handful of buckets to secure the win.
The Hornets were led in scoring by Owen Gorham with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Carter Huston added 16 points with four rebounds and four steals, Ky Truckey added eight points and Dante Goto scored six points with six rebounds.
Colon was led by Dalton Williams. He had a game-high 32 points with 13 rebounds and four assists. Quincy Blair scored 25 points with nine rebounds and Brennan Morrell scored 11 points while grabbing six rebounds. Colin Trattles finished with three points, eight rebounds and four assists while Jeremiah West scored two points, adding five rebounds and three assists.
Cass tops White Pigeon
The White Pigeon boys dropped a 70-51 decision to Cassopolis on Friday night.
In the game, the Chiefs were led by Ty Strawser, he poured in a game-high 29 points. Strawser connected on seven 3-pointers. Jase Roach and Riley Horner each scored six points for White Pigeon, Zach Royce added four.
Coldwater beats Hillsdale
The Coldwater hoops team leveled its record at 1-1 with a 51-36 win over Hillsdale on Friday.
Bennett McDonald led the Cards with 12 points. Owen Tappenden and Jackson Reilly both added 10 points. Julian Thompson tossed in eight points with five rebounds.
Austin Downs finished with eight assists and five rebounds.
Three Rivers goes to 1-1
The Three Rivers basketball team dropped its conference opener to Niles on Friday, 76-47. Brayden Carpenter led the Wildcats with 19 points while Gabe Young and Cameron Cropper each tossed in six points.
Hartford beats Marcellus
The Marcellus boys were upended in the season opener on Friday night, 59-38, to Hartford. The Wildcats were led in scoring by Javonne Robinson with 10 points, Jamarion Robinson tossed in nine points and Zade Tyska added eight.
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at bwatson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: Sturgis boys basketball falls at home as Mendon edges Colon in OT
Reporting by Brandon Watson, Sturgis Journal / Sturgis Journal
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