January 4, 2019

LocalSportsJournal.com

The freshmen duo of Owen Varnado and Kellen Mitchell sparked the Western Michigan Christian boys basketball team to an exciting 55-51 Lakes 8 Conference win over previously unbeaten Orchard View on Friday.

Varnado gave WMC an early lift, scoring eight of the Warriors’ first 10 points, finishing with 16. Mitchell, who played his first game after suffering a concussion, finished with 12 points.

The Warriors led 16-7 after the first quarter and 27-22 at halftime. WMC built a 44-36 lead after the third quarter and led by as many as 15 points in the fourth.

But Orchard View’s defense pushed WMC into a dozen turnovers in the final quarter, and the Cardinals cut their deficit to 53-49 with just under two minutes to play. But the comeback fell just short.

Brady Bowen kept the Cardinals in the game with his hot hand, draining six 3-pointers and finishing with a game-high 18 points.

Keontae Barnes added 14 points for OV and Davion Lane chipped in eight.

Brant Zeerip scored 10 points for the Warriors, who  had nine different players score in the win.

Keontae Barnes dribbles the ball against pressure from WMC’s Owen Varnado. Photo/Jason Goorman

Freshman Owen Varnado bocks the shot for WMC. Photo/Jason Goorman

Nick Moser gets ready to pass to the outside as No. 0 Keontae Barnes tries to defend. Photo/Jason Goorman

Owen Varnado goes up for the shot in the post for WMC. Photo/Jason Goorman

WMC’s Kellen Mitchell gets ready to drive baseline against OV’s No. 24 Dayton Rose. Photo/Jason Goorman

Owen Varnado takes the outside shot for WMC. Photo/Jason Goorman

Brady Bowen laces the shot over WMC’s No. 11 Nick Moser. Photo/Jason Goorman

Tyler Somers gets the shot on the fast break over OV’s Donovan Daniels. Photo/Jason Goorman

Brevin Byrne drives across the lane against OV’s Keonte Barnes. Photo/Jason Goorman

Davion Lane drives to the hoop against WMC’s Jake Betten. Photo/Jason Goorman

Dietrich Thornton takes the jump shot over WMC’s No. 3 Zach Butkis and No. 21 Tyler Somer. Photo/Jason Goorman

Keontae Barnes sets up the play for OV. Photo/Jason Goorman