MUSKEGON, MI – While most of us were shaking off the rust from the holiday break, several Muskegon-area boys and girls basketball teams jumped right back into the fire on Thursday with critical conference matchups.

Some teams hit the court running and used fast starts to clinch big wins, while others couldn’t quite find their rhythm as they suffered setbacks to start the new year.

Below is a look at how all the Muskegon-area boys and girls basketball fared on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

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BOYS

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Mason County Central 51, Hart 47

The Spartans jumped out to a 26-9 lead to start the game and fended off the Pirates in the fourth quarter thanks to some clutch free throw shooting.

Cole VanderHaag finished with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists to lead Mason County Central, while Kyle Peters added 11 points, including going 5-for-7 from the free throw line. Trent Hawk recorded nine points and two rebounds, Peyton Merz had five points, including going 3-for-4 from the free throw line, and three rebounds and Jaxon Munoz had six points, four rebounds and four assists.

“We came out with good energy tonight,” said Mason County Central head coach Chris VanderHaag. “We were able to pick apart their press in the first quarter but Hart made some adjustments in the second quarter. We struggled to find our rhythm and they held us to just two points. We got some really good minutes tonight from Kyle Peters. He hit some big free throws down the stretch.

“Caleb Ackley for Hart gave us some troubles in the paint. He had six points in the fourth quarter but we were able to decide the game at the free-throw line. Cole VanderHaag and Jaxon Munoz had a strong game, offensively. They really handled Hart’s pressure well. Those two work really well together and they take care of the ball. It was an overall great team effort.”

Mason County Central (5-4) hosts Orchard View (3-6) on Jan. 7, while Hart (5-3) travels to Grant (5-0).

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Ravenna 58, Hesperia 26

The Bulldogs rolled past the Panthers for a decisive win in West Michigan Conference Rivers Division action.

Dylan May and JJ Houseman each scored 14 points to lead Ravenna, while Zeke Erler added 12 points and Nash Hoffman had 10 points.

Ethan O’Neil finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds to pace Hesperia.

Ravenna (4-5) travels to Morley Stanwood (2-4) on Jan. 7, while Hesperia (3-6) will head to Manistee (2-6) on Jan. 6.

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Orchard View 61, Fremont 34

Tyshaun Smith finished with 25 points to lead Orchard View in the win over the Packers.

Brayden Crosley recorded 13 points, five steals and three assists to pace the Packers, while Redick Powell added eight points, four rebounds and two steals, Mossen Green had seven points and six rebounds and Noah Hansen had five points and eight rebounds.

Orchard View (3-6) travels to Mason County Central (5-4) on Jan. 7, while Fremont (2-6) will travel to Kent City (3-4).

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Benzie Central 72, Muskegon Heights Academy 62 (OT)

*No stats provided

Muskegon Heights (3-6) will travel to Baldwin (3-4) on Jan. 10.

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Greenville 89, Kent City 42

*No stats provided

Kent City (3-4) will take on Coopersville (4-4) on Saturday at the Cornerstone University Holiday Classic.

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GIRLS

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Ludington 42, Manistee 39

Peyton Welch scored a game-high 16 points to lead the Orioles, while Jordyn Anderson added nine points and Jaelyn Laird had eight points.

Avamae Fett finished with 13 points to pace the Mariners, while Jayna Edmondson and Reese Shively each added six points.

Ludington (6-3) will travel to Montague (4-1) on Jan. 7, while Manistee (4-3) will host Whitehall (4-3).

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Greenville 54, Kent City 35

*No stats provided

Kent City (5-2) will take on Sparta on Saturday at the Cornerstone University Holiday Classic.

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