How a defensive tip led to a pivotal dunk in West Ottawa's win over Holland Christian in boys basketball.
HOLLAND - Dunks are a great energizer in a basketball game, but most of the time, it takes some gritty work to open up the opportunity.
West Ottawa threw down back-to-back dunks to make the Civic Center erupt on their way to a 63-51 win over Holland Christian on Thursday, Dec. 11.
But it was the effort and fingertips of Quentin Edwards that made both plays happen for the 3-0 Panthers.
"Q and Makai (Campos) stepped up at really big times," West Ottawa coach Jared Redell said. "I have been so happy with our effort. They sell out with their bodies. Q being new has fit in like he has been around for years. His athleticism is obvious but his effort to go with it makes great things happen."
Late in the third, Edwards tipped a steal ahead to himself and raced down the floor for a dunk.
By the time he got in position to defend, he was on the floor, diving at full extension to tip a loose ball near the scorer's table ahead to a teammate, who found Darien Stewart for a two-handed fastbreak dunk.
"I knew I had to risk it all for the game because it was so close. Everybody is unselfish on this team and we just care about the end result," Edwards said. "I just put my body on the line and trusted my ability to get there. I think it shows the trust I have in my teammates."
It put the Panthers up 42-28 and they led 45-38 after a late third-quarter run by the Maroons.
Campos found Stewart for an alley-oop with 3 minutes to go in the fourth, making it 55-47 and keeping the game just out of reach.
Campos finished with 18 points. Jay Watson and Stewart each scored 11, Edwards had 10 and JT Gill scored seven.
"It was everything we prepared for in practice," Edwards said. "The guys made my transition (from Allegan) smooth, and I appreciate that."
HC foul trouble leads to scoring woes
The West Ottawa transition has been devastating the first two games of the season because they had a clear step on their opponents.
On Thursday, the step wasn't always as clear, but Holland Christian found itself a half step behind often, which is when players get in foul trouble.
Titus Spencer and Moses Vanderbilt both fouled out of the game for the Maroons.
Spencer was held to nine points and Vanderbilt had seven.
"Last year Titus lit us up and I think the guys really took that personally," Redell said. "We really played great team defense."
The Maroons (1-2) got 17 points from Jake Holcomb and 14 from Davis Alderink.
"I actually thought the tempo was mostly in our favor. We had some turnovers, would take a bad shot then we would foul. I actually thought we defended OK," Holland Christian coach Brad Jansen said. "Their speed is off the charts and they have 5-6 guys who can really score. They can face guard with three different guys and we are used to maybe one guy like that on Titus. But we have to find ways to get him the ball."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: West Ottawa boys basketball beats Holland Christian at Civic Center
Category: General Sports
