KALAMAZOO — Class A state champion Kalamazoo Central defeated the Vikings 61-44 in boys basketball action.

Niles (8-1, 5-1) did not shoot the ball particularly well and were beaten badly by the Maroon Giants in the rebounding department.

Kalamazoo Central (6-3, 6-1 West) took the early lead in the contest and maintained it throughout.

The Vikings made a run at the Maroon Giants to start the second half, but it was matched by Kalamazoo Central moments later, which sealed Niles’ fate.

The Maroon Giants led 15-7 after one quarter and 32-20 at intermission.

“We were 1-of-13 from 3-point land in the first half,” Niles coach Todd Pawielski said. “We just weren’t very good around the rim tonight. Kalamazoo was real quick to the ball. They scored a lot of points from 3-feet while we stood around and watched them do it.”

The Vikings came out and scored the first nine points of the third quarter, including a pair of 3-pointers by Austin Parks, to trim the lead down to 32-29 with just over six minutes remaining in the period.

Kalamazoo Central answered with a 10-0 of its own to push the lead up to 42-29. Niles never threatened again in the contest, which got heated in the second half.

The Vikings’ Quintin Irby and Myles Busby were assessed technical fouls.

“We didn’t play good enough defense tonight to win this game,” Pawielski said. “We weren’t gritty enough in the paint like we were Tuesday night.”

Parks finished with a game-high 18 points to lead Niles, which also got seven points from Taylor Campbell and six from Matthew McLaughlin and Busby, who also had nine rebounds, while McLaughlin dished out four assists.

Quante Hill and Allie Buchanan scored 13 and 12 points respectively for the Maroon Giants.

NILES 44

Myles Busby 6; Matthew McLaughlin 6; Austin Parks 18; Logan Harpenau 0; Alec Brown 4; Taylor Campbell 7; Quintin Irby 3; Mitchell Dehn 0; Anthony Bice 0; Aaron Pierce 0; Arias Williams 0. TOTALS: 15 12-17 44

CENTRAL 61

H’ian Hale 8; Lee Gardner III 5; Allie Buchanan 14; Eco Dunning 4; Jamaal Conger 7; Von Washington III 6; Quante Hill 11; Jarriel Prevo 0; Jawun Gamble 6; JeRon Johnson 0; Sam Knoechel 0. TOTALS: 23 11-16 66

Niles 7 20 38 44

Central 15 32 46 66

3-point baskets: Niles 6 (Parks 4, McLaughlin, Campbell), Kalamazoo Central 4 (Dunning, Conger, Washington III, Hill). Total fouls (fouled out): Niles 17 (Busby), Kalamazoo Central 15 (none). Technical fouls: Niles 2 (Irby, Busby). Varsity records: Niles 8-1, 5-1 West; Kalamazoo Central 6-3, 6-1 West

Niles…41

Central…66

KALAMAZOO — Host Kalamazoo Central doubled up Niles 18-9 in the opening quarter and never looked back in defeating the Vikings 66-41 in Big 16 West Division girls basketball action Friday night.

The Maroon Giants’ nine-point first quarter lead turned into a 30-13 advantage for Kalamazoo Central by halftime and then reached 51-25 going into the final quarter.

Michelle Briand was the lone Niles player to reach double digits as she led the team with 13 points.

The Vikings also got eight points from Maureen Craig and seven points from Taylor Brandstatter.

Ar’chay Alexander-Green led a balanced Kalamazoo Central attack with 15 points. Kandice Johnson and Asia Robeson each had 11 points for the Maroon Giants, who improve to 9-1 on the season.

NILES 41

Taylor Brandstatter 7; Alexis Arnold 2; Kylee Myer 4; Maureen Craig 8; Eva Nemeth 2; Anna Sikkink 5; Michelle Briand 13. TOTALS: 16 12-26 41

CENTRAL 66

Kandice Johnson 11; Ar’chay Alexander-Green 15; Brooklyn Washington 8; Asia Robeson 11; Aneisha Carlisle 3; Annie Deering 4; Khalidha Davis 1; Morgan Jones 2; Essence Threats 4; Tori Boone 6; Tierra Vaughn 1. TOTALS: 28 12-21 66

Niles 9 13 25 41

Central 18 30 51 66

3-point baskets: Niles 3 (Craig 2, Sikkink), Kalamazoo Central 2 (Johnson, Washington). Varsity records: Niles 3-8, 1-5 West; Kalamazoo Central 9-1, 6-1 West