HART – It sometimes just comes down to which team has the best player, and if his teammates can step up around him.

For the Hart boys basketball team, that was exactly the case in a big 67-51 victory over North Muskegon at home on Friday.

“We just couldn’t deal with him,” said Norse coach Chuck Rypstra about Hart senior guard Parker Hovey, who finished with 32 points in the victory. “He was the show. He was making tough shots and getting his teammates involved as well. He had a heck of a game, and you just have to tip your hat to him.”

The victory kept the Pirates’ exciting perfect season on track. Hart is now 18-0 overall and 9-0 in the West Michigan Conference Rivers Division.

Hart’s Parker Hovey (24) looks to make a pass while being guarded by NM’s Ben Meyers. Photo/Andrew Johnson

The Pirates have four games left in the regular season, including three conference games. They can wrap up at least a tie for the conference title by beating second-place Mason County Central at home next Thursday, one night after hosting Newaygo in a non-league contest.

While Hovey’s stats make him seem like a one-man show, the truth is that he’s good at spreading the ball around. On Friday he was often dishing off passes to teammates for easy baskets or crucial three-pointers.

“It’s just fun,” said Hovey about his ability to pass and create plays when teams focus in on him. “If they send two defenders at me, I know someone is open, so I just have to dish it off to my teammates.”

North Muskegon led 14-12 after one quarter. Caleb Bitley led the Pirates with six points in the first quarter while Jaxon Lisinski had nine points on three triples for the Norse.

Hart’s Blake Weirich (23) tries to dribble past a defender. Photo/Andrew Johnson

Hovey began to find his groove in the second quarter, netting eight points and helping his team grab a 28-26 halftime lead.

While the outcome remained in doubt headed into the second half, Hart coach Nick Bronsema said his team calmly figured out the necessary adjustments at halftime.

“I kind of wait to talk,” Bronsema said. “The guys are talking and it’s not negative or pointing the finger. Everyone has a say and I think when you have a team that coaches itself, that’s pretty special.”

The third quarter was the difference in the night, with Hart outscoring North Muskegon 17-10 to take a 45-36 lead into the fourth. Hovey had nine points in the third while teammate Blake Weirich added five.

North Muskegon’s Sam Gallo (30) tries to pass the ball away from the defensive coverage. Photo/Andrew Johnson

Hovey tossed in 12 more points in the fourth quarter. The Pirates outscored North Muskegon 39-25 in the second half.

Weirich finished with 15 points for Hart. Lisinski totaled 20 points for the Norse while Lamarkis Graham and Sam Gallo each added 11.

The Norse, now 15-4 overall and 8-3 in division play, will travel to play Fremont on Tuesday.