From staff reports

PORTAGE – The Niles freshmen boys’ basketball team defeated Portage Central Thursday night 56-53 to finish the year at 14-4.

The game was close throughout, but with eight seconds remaining, Niles’ Athony Bice knocked down a deep 3-pointer to seal the victory for the Vikings.

John Franklin led the team with 15 points and 12 rebounds to pick up his eighth double-double of the season. Rodney Applewhite also had 15 points, while grabbing six rebounds. Bice finished with nine points and six assists. Alex Brown led the Vikings with eight assists.