Western holds off resilient Lakeland

Walled Lake Western picked up its first Kensington Lakes Activities Association (KLAA) North Division victory of the season with a 59-56 victory at Huron Valley Lakeland on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Western (3-7 overall, 1-4 in the KLAA North) led the Eagles 21-9 after the first quarter and 33-23 at halftime.

Lakeland (5-4, 2-3) outscored the Warriors 21-12 in the third quarter to pull to within 45-44 at the end of the third. But, the Warriors used a 14-12 run in the fourth to win the game.

Will Griffin scored 23 points, including 8-of-11 free-throw shooting, to lead the Warriors, while Korey Wade had 10.

Troy Baertson had 13 points for Lakeland and Ryan Zukowski scored 10.

Western then fell to Walled Lake Northern at home on Friday, Jan. 21. The Knights had a 21-14 lead after the first quarter, but the Warriors used a 21-15 run to pull to within 36-35 at halftime.

Northern (4-6, 2-3) then went on an 18-8 run in the third quarter and held on to win after being outscored in the fourth 20-19.

Jared Sheena led Northern with 24 points while Kevin Piper had 16 points.

Wade led the Warriors with 20 points while Cameron Vieaux had 11.

Lakeland also defeated Waterford Mott at home, 44-31, on Friday, Jan. 21.

The Eagles led 26-8 at halftime and withstood a 19-7 run by Mott in the third quarter to pull out the win.

Chuck Sanders had 13 points for Lakeland, followed by Cam Kalinski with 11.

Chris Dewberry had 12 points for Mott (5-4, 3-2).

Lakeland played at Huron Valley Milford on Tuesday, Jan. 25 after press time and will travel to Walled Lake Central on Friday, Jan. 28.

Western hosted Pinckney on Tuesday, Jan. 25 and will welcome Waterford Kettering on Friday, Jan. 28.