After a tough loss on the road Thursday against Ottawa Hills, the boys JV basketball team got the bounce back it needed with a big rivalry win over Forest Hills Northern, 53-43. Multiple players contributed to the offensive success, such as sophomores Chris Battiste, Peyton Bush, George Hatchett, and Jeremy James.

The game went back and forth between these two evenly-matched teams to start the game. The Rangers had a hard time stopping two of FHN’s very quick guards to start the game, but they adjusted well as the game progressed. Jeremy, George, and Peyton helped the Rangers get back on track offensively after Northern went on a run to suddenly pull ahead late in the first quarter. FHC wasn’t able to use the size advantage inside as it normally does early on, but the great shooting by multiple Rangers made up for it.

The offensive duel between the Rangers and the Huskies continued into the second half, but FHC was able to get to the free throw line a lot more and force FHN into some turnovers. Putbacks off of missed shots were also key to some major points from FHC towards the end of the third quarter, as the Rangers caught the Huskies lazily rebounding the basketball and certainly took advantage of it. FHC maintained a solid lead over FHN and eventually took the win 53-43 on the Huskies’ home floor.

This win puts FHC at 6-5 on the season and improves the team to 3-2 in the OK White conference. The Rangers will have a non-conference test coming up this Thursday, as they take on the East Grand Rapids Pioneers. FHC narrowly defeated EGR last year and has added even more depth on the offensive end. The Rangers will be looking to carry the momentum from this game into another rivalry game against the Pioneers.