The White Pigeon boys basketball team kept grinding away after three straight losses to start the season, and that hard work and determination netted a 59-49 victory over Niles Brandywine Saturday in holiday tournament play.
Mitchell Moore pulls up for a jumper.
(Photo by John Gentry)
Senior Mitchell Moore toasted the Bobcats (0-3) for 25 points on top of 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals. Sophomore David Miller backed that up with 10 points and four rebounds for the Chiefs (1-3).
White Pigeon outscored Brandywine 22-6 at the free-throw line and secured 33 rebounds in the home tourney consolation contest.
“Tonight we made a big step forward regarding the search for this team’s identity,” Chiefs coach Tony Cholometes said. “I am very proud of our team’s step forward, but we have many more to make.”
Moore agrees the program is headed in the right direction.
“Today we really found that team chemistry,” he said. “It’s just one of those things that come to you as a new, young team. Everyone bought in and we got the much-needed win.”
Blake Groves was 6-for-6 at the stripe and added four boards, and Riley Olsen, Jarrett Miller and Dylan Hochstetler each chipped in four points. Hochstetler finished with three assists, and Moore and Jarrett Miller each had two steals.
“We made the extra pass, got good looks and played more like a team,” David Miller said.