Trailblazers hold off late surge by Zion Christian

By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
SAUGATUCK—Make it three wins in a row for the Saugatuck boys basketball team.
Hosting Zion Christian on Tuesday, Dec. 20, the Trailblazers posted the 54-48 victory to improve to 3-1.
Not that it was easy.
“This was a tough game tonight,” Saugatuck coach Brian Ward said. “We were able to go on multiple runs throughout the game and each time it looked like they might blow the doors open, but credit to Zion. Each time they battled back to keep the game within striking distance.”
After maintaining a lead of six-to-eight points for the majority of the game, Saugatuck saw its advantage trimmed to a single possession in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
“The game really turned into a nail-biter,” Ward said.
But Junior Russell VandePoel wasn’t about to led the lead slip away completely, as he knocked down five free throws in six attempts down the stretch to seal the win.
VandePoel finished with 12 points, putting him one point behind sophomore teammate Carter Miller for team-high honors. Nine of Miller’s points came on a trio of 3-pointers.
“We’ll now enjoy the holiday break for a bit with their next game not coming until January 6,” Ward said.
Saugatuck travels to Martin on Friday, Jan. 6, for a divisional showdown.