By By ADAM PAYNE / Niles Daily Star
The Sturgis Trojans boys' basketball team defeated the Niles Vikings Friday night 64-54, largely on the shoulders of junior Bo Felt.
Niles led 19-12 after a turnover and foul-plagued first quarter as junior Tom Robson nailed three 3-pointers in the period to lead the team to its fast start.
Sturgis started out slowly due to very static guard play, as it was not moving without the ball. The Vikings took advantage of its lack of rhythm and built a small first half lead. Junior Kelby Jemison nailed a spot-up three late in the second to give Niles a 24-20 lead.
Sturgis made a late charge to take the lead at the 1:50 mark at 27-26, but Niles answered and took a 30-27 lead on a full court pass to junior Nate Orr of the Vikings which caught Sturgis off guard. Niles led 32-29 at the half.
In the third period the Trojans came out on fire, going on a quick 6-2 run to take the lead at 35-34. Niles' shooting cooled off and Sturgis took advantage, led by 6-foot-2 Felt with his aggressive play.
Sturgis outscored the Vikings 18-4 for the period to carry a 47-36 advantage into the final eight minutes.
The Trojans suddenly became very active in the backcourt, but it was the Vikings who would go on the assault to start the fourth.
Junior Nick Etzcorn led the way for Niles, hitting a big shot to keep the Vikings alive at the 5:13 mark, bringing them to within eight at 44-52.
Etzcorn then quickly stole the ball and after a few offensive rebounds Niles scored to get within six. After a timeout, Sturgis inbounded the ball from the baseline to half court and Orr snuck up from behind the Trojans' player and quickly pounced in front of him and jumped up to snag the ball.
After he missed his heavily contested transition lay up, Niles rebounded and swung it back around to Orr who drove home a three to bring the Vikings within three at 49-52.
Sturgis ended Niles' 13-5 run with a three point play of its own following a minute-long possession.
Felt completed the continuation play swishing the free throw amid the boisterous Vikings crowd.
Freshman Brandon Thomas kept it interesting by hitting a three to make it 52-55 at the 2:03 mark, but Sturgis answered again hitting two from the line.
Thomas came through yet again to make it 57-54 with 53 seconds remaining, but Sturgis then iced the game away from the line despite the hostile environment.
The Trojan players couldn't hide their glee as time ran out on the Vikings and Sturgis won 64-54.
Felt finished with a game-high 25 points. Sturgis also got 11 points from Jeff Kolson.
Niles was led by Etzcorn's 15 points. Robson and Thomas each netted 11 points.
The Vikings plays next on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at Marshall in another Big 16 Conference non-divisional contest.
STURGIS 64
Zach Gentile 3 1-4 9, Tiler Kellogg 0 0-0 0, Pat Hall 2 0-0 4, Raju Armster2 5-6 9, Bo Felt 8 7-9 25, Jeff Kolson 2 7-8 11, Shawn Jernagan 3 0-0 6, Kevin Krizan 0 0-0 0. Totals: 20 20-27 64
NILES 54
Nate Orr 0 0-0 0, Scott Quaye 0 0-2 2, Tom Robson 3 2-4 11, Ben Hansen 0 1-2 1, Kelby Jemison 2 2-2 8, Nate Parks 1 0-0 2, Paul Wreggelsworth 1 0-0 2, Brandon Thomas 5 0-0 11, Nick Etzcorn 7 1-3 15, Pete Brandstatter 1 0-1 2, Layette Walker 1 0-0 2. Totals: 21 6-14 54
Sturgis 12 29 47 64
Niles 19 32 36 54
Three-point baskets: Gentile (S) 2, Felt (S) 2, Robson (N) 3, Jemison (N) 2, Thomas (N). Total fouls: Sturgis 13, Niles 20. Fouled out: None. Technical fouls: None.