FRUITPORT – You can’t blame Fruitport for blasting “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang after a 50-43 O-K Blue Conference victory over Grand Rapids West Catholic.

Celebrations have been few and far between as the Trojans this season, but it was time for one on Tuesday, because Fruitport snapped a 14-game losing streak which dates back all the way to Dec. 22, when the Trojans last won a game.

“It’s been too long,” said Trojans head coach Steve Erny about finally winning in 2024. “Our guys work too hard and stayed the course.

To be honest, I hadn’t even been counting (losses in a row). But I knew it was about that and West Catholic is a good team. They can be a tricky opponent, but I thought we did a good job of sustaining runs. I’m really happy for our group. It’s been a long 2024 for us.”

The win improves Fruitport to 5-16 overall and 1-12 in conference play, and Erny is hopeful his team can use the momentum next week when district play begins.

“We talk about wanting to be at our best going into the tournament,” the coach said. “We believe that if we’re playing our best, we can beat some teams and surprise some people. But we have to be at our very best and play like we did tonight, but even better.”

If the Trojans do have success going forward, junior center Ryan Bosch believes it will be because the team stuck together, just like it did on Tuesday.

“It feels really good to win,” Bosch said. “We talk about staying together and being brothers, but it’s really hard when you lose game after game. You can get down on yourselves, but I don’t think we’ve ever really done that. I think we stayed together really well, and it showed tonight.”

Six different Trojans scored in the first quarter to help Fruitport jump out to a 17-11 lead at the first buzzer.

In total, Fruitport shot 6-for-11 from the field for a blazing start while holding West Catholic to 5-of-12 shooting and forcing four turnovers.

But just like the season has been for Fruitport, things didn’t stay hot for long. The Trojans scored just five points in the second quarter and ultimately trailed 23-22 going into the locker room.

Fruitport bounced back this time, however, outscoring West Catholic 12-9 in the third quarter to take a 34-32 lead.

Bosch led the Trojans with seven points in the third, shooting 2-for-3 from the field and 3-for-4 from the line.

Things tightened up in the fourth quarter, with the scored tied 37-37 with just 3:20 remaining.

Bosch knocked down two free throws with 2:15 left to give Fruitport a 39-37 lead and the Trojans never looked back, ending the game on an 11-6 run.

Fruitport nailed down the win by hitting 14 of 18 free throws in the fourth quarter.

“If we’re hitting free throws at a 70 percent clip, that’s excellent for us,” Erny said. “That was the difference for us in the fourth quarter. If we go 0-for-2 and they hit a three, there goes our lead. But we were able to sustain a lead due to knocking down free throws.”

DayDay Williams and Bosch each led the Trojans with 14 points while Kyle Burke finished with nine.

The Trojans will close out the regular season on Friday with a home game against conference opponent Hamilton before opening up district play at host Orchard View on Monday.