Last night, the boys’ JV basketball team wrapped up its season with a 54-35 win over Northview. The Rangers got off to a slow start early in the game yet still controlled the lead for the majority of the game. Sophomores Ty Hudkins and Mason McDonald combined for five points in the last 1:30 of the first quarter to give the Rangers a five-point advantage at the end of the first quarter. 

The second quarter began with sophomore Northview guard Mike Murphy knocking down a three-pointer and scoring off of the dribble drive. However, sophomore Ranger Luke Van Gorp contributed on the defensive side of the floor, turning over the Wildcats multiple times, leading to transition layups. The Rangers’ defensive efforts led them to a 20-18 lead over Northview at the half. 

Sophomore Brady Miller, along with Quincey Henry, came out for the Rangers in the second half, and both made big three-point shots. This was one of Henry’s five made threes throughout the game. Henry finished with 16 points, a career-high, five three-pointers for the underclassman. 

The Rangers caught fire in the fourth quarter and quickly increased their lead to 15. Sophomore Matthew Seurynck made three 15-footers to score six points, and Mason McDonald ended with nine. The Rangers ended up winning by almost 20 points in the last game of the year. 

“Tonight, I was really happy with our effort, Quincey Henry had a huge game and hit five threes for us, and Luke Van Gorp stepped up on defense,” head coach Ike Tilden said. “As a whole, I am really excited about this group, next year playing with the Varsity team and beyond that.” 

The Rangers end the year with an 18-2 record and an OK White conference championship title. These two losses came to Hudsonville and Byron Center. The boys swept rivals such as East Grand Rapids and Forest Hills Northern this season. 

“Overall, we had a really good season,” sophomore Roman Brummel said. “It felt really good to beat both East and Northern both times we played; I’m excited for what next year brings at the Varsity level.” 

One of the biggest wins of the season came against rival Forest Hills Northern in early January. The Rangers controlled this game through the first three-quarters of play; however, when the fourth quarter came around, the Huskies went on a tear. In the end, the Rangers pulled out a two-point victory.

“I thought our guys battled and made just enough plays down the stretch,” coach Tilden said following the win over Northern.

Coach Tilden plans to help these young Rangers do whatever it takes to prepare them for Varsity basketball next season. Between the rest of the school year and the summer, his players will be in the gym working on getting stronger and faster and their basketball skills. 

“First off, just letting the boys into the gym whenever they text me to try and get as many shots up as possible,” coach Tilden said. It’ll be fun this summer to see them adjust to the speed and physicality of varsity basketball, but they are a good group of guys, and they will be ready.’’