The JV boys basketball team took down the Falcons of East Kentwood on Friday night by a score of 51-48. The Rangers controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish; however, East Kentwood would not back down. Sophomore Chase Enbody dominated in paint for the Rangers, snagging 9 rebounds and adding 19 points. 

“Chase played a great game for us on Friday,” head coach Ike Tilden said. “Chase along with J Coe controlled the boards all night and helped steady us when they started to go on a run.”

The Rangers led for the entirety of the first half; still, East Kentwood came out firing on all cylinders early in the second half. The Falcons would take the lead by two for the first time in the third quarter. Sophomore guard Quincy Henry did a splendid job containing the quick Falcon guards on the defensive side and controlling possessions for the Rangers on offense. 

“Quincy did a really nice job controlling the tempo of the game and handling East Kentwood’s pressure,” coach Tilden said. 

Henry’s awareness helped him nab multiple steals and dish out four assists on the offensive side of the floor. 

With a minute and a half remaining, the game was tied at 48. Sophomore Tyler Hudkins caught a fast-break layup to give a two-point advantage to the Rangers with less than a minute to play. Mason McDonald would come up with a big steal, forcing the Falcons to foul and send Quincy Henry to the line. Henry was able to make one of two free throws and increase the lead to three. The Falcons then had to force a desperate last-second half-court heave that would fall short; the Rangers would walk away with a three-point win. 

“The end of the game was very exciting,” Mason McDonald said. “We were able to tough it out and come out with a win.”

The Rangers won their second game of the season to improve to 2-0 on the year. On Thursday, December 23, the boys will face off against the Wyoming Wolves.