By SCOTT NOVAK
Dowagiac Daily News

PORTAGE – On a night that Niles did not shoot the ball very well, the Vikings turned to defense to get the job done.

Shooting just 30 percent for the game and just 12-of-23 from the free throw line, Niles gutted out a 46-39 victory over host Portage Central in the opening game of the Class B District Tournament.

The Vikings (16-5) will now take on Portage Northern on Wednesday night with the winner advancing to Friday’s championship game.

In the second game of the tripleheader Monday night, Kalamazoo Central defeated Benton Harbor 64-48.

The last game of the evening saw Kalamazoo Loy Norrix slip past Mattawan 68-58.
The No. 3 ranked Maroon Giants and Knights will meet in the second semifinals on Wednesday night.

Despite the shooting woes of his squad Monday night, Niles coach Todd Pawielski was pleased with his team’s selection.

“We liked the shots that we were getting,” he said following the game. “It would have been nice to get second and third opportunities, which we didn’t get tonight.”

Because the Vikings had a tough time knocking down shots, Portage Central was able to hang around for the entire game.

Niles led 9-6 after one period of play and 21-15 heading into the locker room at the intermission.

Niles came out and made a run at the start of the second half, which Pawielski thought was going to propel his team to a much easier win.

“We thought we had the knockout there early in the third quarter,” he said. “But we just didn’t make enough shots to put them away.”
Coming into the second half, Niles hit four of its first six shots and opened up a 31-17 lead just minutes into the third quarter.

But the Mustangs (4-17) would have none of it.

Portage Central came storming back and cut the lead to 35-28 heading into the final eight minutes of action.

On three separate occasions the Mustangs cut the Vikings’ lead to five points, but couldn’t get any closer.

Down the stretch, Niles had a chance to put the game away at the free throw line, but was just 1-of-6.

Thankfully for the Vikings, Portage Central went 0-for-4 from the field in the final half minute.

“I thought we had the right kids shooting tonight,” Pawielski said of the free throw woes. “We’ll take our chances with them every night.”

The veteran Niles coach, who picked up his first district win with the Vikings, added that despite not playing at its best, his team was still able to find a way to win and advance to the semifinals on Wednesday.

Senior David Garner and sophomore Austin Parks both scored 13 points to lead the Vikings, who also got 11 points from sophomore McLaughlin.

Ian Ryder and Alex Harning, both of whom scored eight points, led Portage Central.
The Vikings and Portage Northern (8-12) will play in the first semifinal on Wednesday night beginning at 6.

NILES 46
Matthew McLaughlin 4 1-4 11; Myles Busby 0 4-7 4; Nick Lucero 0 0-0 0; Mitch Peterek 1 0-2 2; Jordan Potthoff 1 1-4 3; David Garner 4 5-6 13; Austin Parks 5 1-2 13; Quintin Irby 0 0-0 0; Taylor Campbell 0 0-0 0; Riley Robson 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 15 12-23 46
PORTAGE CENTRAL 39
Nate Schutter 0 0-0 0; Ian Ryder 3 0-0 8; Mike Smodic 3 1-2 7; Monty Porter 3 0-0 6; Derek Schneider 2 0-1 5; Kyle Cutler 0 0-0 0; Ryan Krill 0 0-0 0; Zach Alkhamis 2 0-0 4; Brandon Wall 0 1-2 1; Andrew Galer 0 0-0 0; Alex Harning 3 2-2 8. TOTALS: 16 4-7 39

Niles 9 21 35 46
Portage 6 15 28 39
3-point baskets: Niles 4 (McLaughlin 2, Parks 2), Portage Central 3 (Ryder 2, Schneider 1). Total fouls: Niles 11, Portage Central 21. Fouled out: None. Varsity records: Niles 16-5, 4-17