The boys varsity basketball team traveled to East Grand Rapids on Tuesday to take on a Pioneers team that was 8-3 coming into this matchup. The Rangers did not play to the best of their potential as they dropped their second game of the season, 55-52. This loss comes after the team won eight games in a row after initially losing in the season opener by a similar score of 55-53 at Forest Hills Eastern.

Three Rangers scored in double-figures in this game: senior Jimmy Scholler had 19 points, senior Mitchell Wilkinson had 11 points, and junior Chris Battiste scored ten points, going two-for-three on his three-point shots; however, the team shot only 45.2% from inside the arc and 34% on all field goals attempted, some of the lowest percentages of the season so far. Jimmy and Mitchell led the assists column with three assists each, and they were followed up by junior George Hatchett who had two assists. 

Looking at the defensive stats, Chris and junior Jacob Ervin each led the team with one block, and junior Jonah Spates had three steals, the most of any Ranger in this game. Mitchell pulled down ten rebounds in this game, five on both offense and defense, to lead the team in rebounds.

Starting off the game, both teams struggled to pull away with a lead. The first quarter ended 13-11 in favor of the Rangers and when the halftime buzzer sounded, FHC still lead as the score was 29-24. The third quarter, though, belonged to the Pioneers. East Grand Rapids went on a 8-3 run to even the game up three minutes into the second half and keeping their scoring momentum, took the lead and ended the third quarter in a 42-38 Pioneer lead. The boys did outscore East Grand Rapids in the final quarter, but it was not enough as the game ended 55-52.

The boys are still undefeated in conference play despite this loss, moving their record to 5-0 in conference and 8-2 overall. The team’s next game will be an OK White battle on the road against the Northview Wildcats on January 31st at 7:00 pm with the potential to further extend FHC’s lead in first place of the conference.