By Staff
Three players scored in double figures and the Niles varsity basketball team turned the ball over just 10 times in a 72-46 victory at Battle Creek Harper Creek Friday night.
The Vikings, now 1-1 on the year, were led by Brian Ketchum's 14 points and eight rebounds. Nate Parks added 12 points, four assists and five steals while John Kessick scored 10 points in just six minutes of action. Fifteen of Niles' 17 players scored.
Ryan Voegler led the Beavers (0-4) with 10 points.
Niles committed 28 fouls, affording Harper Creek 33 free throws of which the Beavers made just 16. The Vikings had trouble from the charity stripe as well, making just eight-of-23.
The Vikings raced out to a 21-6 lead at the end of the first quarter and stretched that lead to 39-18 by halftime. Niles outscored the Beavers 33-28 in the second half.
The Vikings return to action on Monday, Dec. 29, at the Battle Creek Central Holiday Tournament. Niles faces Lansing Everett on Monday at 6 p.m. and then returns to Battle Creek Tuesday to face Jackson at 6 p.m.
Niles……………..72
Harper Creek….46
Niles: Karyce Pulliam 2 0-0 4, Ivery Cross 1 1-1 3, Brian Ketchum 6 2-4 14, Marcus Lawshea 4 0-0 8, Nate Parks 5 0-0 12, Scott Quaye 0 1-4 1, Dane Ford 0 0-0 0, Tom Robson 0 0-0 0, Stacy Caskey 1 0-2 2, Paul Wreggelsworth 0 2-2 2, Adrian Davis 1 0-4 2, Ben Landgraf 1 1-2 3, Lonnie Jones 1 0-0 2, Jason Rutkowske 1 0-0 2, Nick Etzcorn 3 1-3 7, John Kessick 5 0-1 10. Totals: 31 8-23 72
Harper Creek: Kyle Johnson 1 0-0 2, Shawn Hillman 2 1-2 5, Lance Lazarov 2 1-4 5, Romeo Dudley 1 1-5 4, Ryan Voegler 3 3-5 10, Matt Hosking 1 0-0 2, Andrew Smith 0 1-2 1, Nathan Feight 0 0-0 0, Chris Schoder 0 6-7 6, Danny Lawson 4 1-3 9, Eric Dilno 0 0-0 0, Jeremy Hagadorn 0 2-5 2. Totals: 14 16-33 42
Niles 21 18 20 13--72
H.C. 6 12 9 19--42
3-point shooting: Niles 2 (Parks 2), Harper Creek 2 (Dudley, Voegler). Team fouls (fouled out): Niles 28 (none), Harper Creek 19 (Lazarov, Schoder). Team records: Niles 1-1, Harper Creek 0-4