Senior forward Chance Stewart climbed one more rung on the Sturgis career-scoring list Tuesday with a 23-point effort in the Trojans’ 58-37 home victory over White Pigeon.
Chance Stewart drives the lane against White Pigeon.
(Photo by Wes Morgan)
Stewart, a four-year varsity player, now has 1,059 points and passed 1978 alumnus Rob Sisson (1,053) four fourth place. Sisson, a three-year varsity standout, was in attendance and congratulated Stewart on the latest in a long line of athletic accomplishments.
“He just said ‘keep climbing,’” Stewart said of their exchange after the game. “It was kinda cool passing Mr. Sisson. I’ve known him for majority of my life and it’s just an honor.”
Sisson still holds the program record for points in a game with 42.
It was a night where height reigned, with White Pigeon struggling to match up with the Trojans, which held a 28-8 lead at halftime. Sturgis’ Jack Scheske scored 14 points and Tristen Stewart added six to help push the squad, which experienced a one-point loss to Lakeview Friday, to 6-4 overall this year.
“They had some really good guards,” Scheske said. “It helps to get the win and we’ll need that [momentum] at Marshall on Friday because that’s usually the toughest place to play.”
Lonnie Wright and Ryan Schuller each posted four points, Andrew Airgood finished with three and Matt Polzine chipped in two for the Trojans, which outrebounded the Chiefs 32-14 for the game. Chance Stewart also had four assists and nine boards, while Airgood and Tristen Stewart grabbed six rebounds apiece.
“The guys came out and really were focused,” Sturgis coach Keith Kurowski said. “And getting back to Chance; that’s really well deserved. He’s been such a cornerstone of our program the last couple years.”
The Trojans committed 16 turnovers and shot 53.1 percent (26-for-49) for the game. White Pigeon turned the ball over 13 times and shot 33.3 percent from the field.
Rob Sisson and Chance Stewart.
Mitchell Moore put up 17 points and secured five rebounds to lead the Chiefs (2-7) and David Miller totaled seven. Dylan Hochstetler recorded five points, and Riley Olsen, Mike Crowl, Brett Baker and Blake Groves all contributed two.
“Tonight was a tale of two halves,” White Pigeon coach Tony Cholometes said. “The first, for us, consisted of a lack of effort, focus and patient execution offensively. The second half was a complete 180, where we played with better effort, better focus and we were more mindful of what we were supposed to do.”