LocalSportsJournal.com
SCOTTVILLE – The Shelby boys basketball team blew by Hesperia, 79-28, to open Division 3 district play on Monday night.
“It was exciting to see the energy from the whole team tonight,” said Shelby coach Rick Zoulek. “It wasn’t always clean and sharp, but the guys really got after it.”
The Tigers set the tone early with a 27-11 first-quarter lead and grew to 53-19 at halftime.
The Tigers outscored the Panthers, 21-6, in the third quarter and cruised the rest of the way.
Andrew Arquette put up 28 points, five assists and four rebounds for the Tigers. Leighton Belasco tallied 11 points, six rebounds, five steals, four assists and two blocks, while Eli Kelley added 11 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals. Kamari Richmond contributed eight points, three steals and two rebounds.
The Panthers’ Malakai Sellers scored 14 points.
“Our guys were ready and responded well,” said Zoulek. “It’s great to be playing our best at this time of year.”
Shelby (9-14) visits Mason County Central to take on North Muskegon in the district semifinal on Wednesday.
Hesperia closed the season with a 4-16 record.