Second Half Burst Brings Lion Win

Photos by Alexis Mercer
Story by Ken DeLaat

Newaygo 79 Tri County 56
Going into this game the Vikings were 0-8 against teams with a winning record.
Make it 0-9.
An entertaining game that saw waves of momentum switch back and forth began with Josiah Long popping in a three pointer then, following a steal, Bryce Decker drained a pair from the line and after another stop Caris Nelson wove into the lane and scored and it was suddenly 7-0 Lions.

The Vikes regrouped behind the wizardry of Blake Nelson who was either scoring or finding Ty Merlington who notched a pair from beyond the arc. TC tied it at 9 before Decker ripped one from distance. The teams exchanged free throws then Dyllan Bazzett took in a sweet pass from Logan Klomp for 2. TC’s Nelson came through again with a triple and a wicked pass to Merlington for another three to pull TC to within a point. Klomp scored and the quarter ended with the hosts on top 20-17. The second opened with Long hitting a 2 and converting a free throw to put Newaygo up by 6. Viking baller  Nelson banged in 2 quick buckets and after teammate Gavin Rykse tripled the Vikes had their first lead of the game. The Lions once again went up 6 before another Blake Nelson three and after Caris Nelson turned a steal into 2, TC responded with another three and the teams hit the half with Newaygo up 34-32.

The second half saw the Lions coming out firing as Long, Nelson, Grant Harkness and Decker (2) all zeroed in from distance and while TC fought hard they could not keep pace and fell behind 62-49 entering the 4th. The final frame saw the Lions pull away and secure the conference win.

Caris Nelson led the Lions in scoring as he canned 22 points to go with his 5 assists. Decker had a team high 9 boards while firing in 17 points, Long knocked down 16 and pulled down a half dozen rebounds, and Harkness added 9 points to the cause.
Newaugo (6-2, 11-6) holds onto second place in the CSAA and will face off against first place Big Rapids in the Lion's Den​.