SPRING LAKE – The last time the Spring Lake boys basketball team was on the floor, it was celebrating a Division 2 district championship after upsetting a very good Whitehall squad last season.
The Lakers’ season then abruptly ended when they were forced to forfeit in regionals due to COVID.
Spring Lake opened the new season on Tuesday the way it ended the last one, with a similar result.
The Lakers closed out the first half by going on an 11-0 run to erase a four-point deficit, then kept the pressure on during the second half, resulting in a 58-36 victory over Whitehall in a rematch of last year’s district finals.
[1]“The first half was a typical first-game type of half,” said Spring Lake Coach Bill Core, who is in his 21st season as varsity head coach. “Both teams were a little sluggish and tight.
“But what I was most proud of is, I thought our seniors and eight returners kept their composure for the entire 32 minutes. We made that little run before half and they started to gamble and get out of sync, and then we started to go.
“It was the first one and it’s in the books and they can’t take this one away. These kids haven’t played much in the last few years, and they have an opportunity to play a full season with fans in the stands.”
The Lakers started off slow offensively and trailed by a 10-8 margin heading into the second quarter.
The Vikings increased their lead to 16-12 with 4:45 left in the first half before Spring Lake closed the stanza with an 11-0 run to take a 23-16 lead at halftime.
“Defense can take care of poor play and shooting,” Core said. “I thought that the defense was solid throughout, especially holding the Vikings to 16 first half points.”
[2]Spring Lake continued to pick up steam during the third quarter by outscoring the Vikings by an 18-13 margin to take a 41-29 advantage heading into the final stanza.
The Lakers pulled away in the fourth quarter, outscoring Whitehall 17-7 in the final eight minutes.
Kaden George paced Spring Lake with 15 points, including seven in the first quarter, while sophomore Eli Morrison debuted with 13 points.
Jackson Core and sophomore Zach Schlepp each added eight points for the Lakers.
“Every team has a little jitters going into the first game, and that was the same for us,” said Jackson Core. “Once we got stops and quick rebounds, we were able to go into transition, and that led to easy baskets for us.”
The Vikings were led offensively by Jack Houtteman with nine points, while Red Watson added eight. Jack McDowell and Brodie Fogus each chipped in with six points.
“Spring Lake made some shots, and we didn’t quite make shots,” said first year varsity Whitehall coach Christian Subdon. “I am proud of how my team fought back, but we just need to make some shots.
“It is nice to get my first game under my belt. I wasn’t nervous for myself, I was more nervous for the kids, because it is all about them and I wanted it to work out for them.”
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