By Staff
MATTAWAN – An 11-1 start by host Mattawan spelled a long night for the Niles varsity basketball team.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 7-0 lead and finished with an 11-1 run on their way to handing the Vikings an 82-47 setback in the season and Big 16 West Division opener for both schools.
Mattawan (1-0, 1-0 West) outscored Niles 23-5 in the opening quarter and never looked back.
"Mattawan shot the ball terrifically all night, including making 10 3-pointers," Niles coach Todd Pawielski said. "Defensively, we were just bad tonight. We did a poor job of finding shooters and containing the ball. Offensively, we were a little better, but did not get enough shots."
Mattawan outscored Niles 19-12 in the second quarter to open up a 42-17 advantage.
The Vikings scored a combined 20 points in the second half, while Mattawan scored 20 points in both the third and fourth quarters to complete the scoring.
Jordan Parks led the Vikings (0-1, 0-1 West) with 17 points and five rebounds. Paul Dreher added six points, while Seth Jordan and Mike Dodd both scored five points.
Jordan also grabbed five rebounds.
Niles is back in action on Friday night as it hosts St. Joseph.
Niles was defeated in junior varsity basketball by the host Wildcats, 63-58.
Niles was led by Aaron Davis, who scored 16 points. The Vikings also got 13 points from Mitch Peterek and 11 points from Brad Benjamin.
The Vikings return to action Friday night when they host St. Joseph.
No freshmen results were available at press time.
NILES 47
Jordan Parks 5 3-4 17; Mike Dodd 2 1-2 5; David Garner 1 0-0 2; Seth Jordan 1 3-4 5; Andrew Brawley 0 0-0 0; Andre Thompson 1 0-2 2; Demetrius Phillips 1 0-0 2; Paul Dreher Terrell Farrow 1 0-0 2; Zach Pearson 1 0-2 2; Kyle Williams 1 0-0 2; Asaad Ali 1 0-0 2. Totals: 16 11-25 47
MATTAWAN 82
A. Porte 2 1-2 5; R. Plucinski 0 4-6 4; M. Goodwin 6 6-7 23; J. Goetz 4 2-3 11; S. Krygier 1 1-3 3; S. LaPlante 4 0-0 11; J. Hinkel 0 0-0 0; Z. Fisk 1 1-2 3; J. Hanchon 1 1-2 3; J. Holman 1 2-3 4; J. Pettit 4 3-312. Totals: 24 21-31 82
Niles 5 12 16 14 – 47
Mattawan 23 19 20 20 – 82
3-point baskets: Park (N) 4, Goodwin (M) 5, Goetz (M), LaPlante (M) 3, Pettit (M). Total fouls: Niles 21, Mattawan 17. Fouled out: Garner (N), Thompson (N)