After its loss to Byron Center last Thursday, the boys freshman basketball team had over a week to reconvene and prepare for the Lowell Red Arrows. The team focused on improving its offensive execution and defensive intensity

“Heading into the Lowell game, I saw some great improvements within the team,” head coach Gordon Shields said. “The team strung together great practice after great practice, which showed they were ready for Friday’s game.”

Earlier in the season, FHC had dismantled the Red Arrows by a score of 68-18. It was evident that a similar result would be inevitable from the jump.

The Rangers came out aggressive on both sides of the ball, feeding the post on offense and pressuring Lowell on defense. Although FHC came out with a different starting lineup than usual, the same effort and execution were displayed by the team.

Defensively, the Rangers made it their mission to hold the Red Arrows to under 20 points, and it seemed possible after holding them to just 10 points in the first half. They amped up their pressure in the second half and only allowed two second-half points. FHC easily defeated Lowell 59-12.

It was very impressive to see FHC hold Lowell to 12 points, but another impressive stat was that every FHC player except one scored in Friday’s game. Guards Tyler Dickinson and Brendan Cargill led the way, with Dickinson scoring 11 points and Cargill scoring 10 points. Seder Middaugh added seven points and multiple players scored six points including Isaiah Wright, Max Holser, Aaron Schellenburg, and Braedon Rozema.

The freshman team improves to 10-2 on the season and remains the top team in the conference. The Rangers face another test coming up when the Pioneers of East Grand Rapids come into the Jungle on Tuesday, February 8.