(New Buffalo, MI) - The New Buffalo High School varsity boys’ basketball team jumped out to a big lead early to coast to victory in the COVID-19 delayed season opener.  The Bison defeated Michigan Lutheran 89-54 at home on February 12.

           

Players were thrilled to step on the court for their first game action of a season that normally begins in December.  “It’s what we’ve been waiting for,” said Jeremiah Mitchell, a junior guard who scored eight-points.  It definitely felt good,” said Kayden Parmley.  Parmley, a junior guard, scored 14-points.

 

The basketball season for boys and girls statewide finally got underway once Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lifted her statewide ban on winter sports after surging COVID-19 cases finally began trending downward.

  

The Bison ended the first quarter with a 25-point lead.  The game was more competitive the rest of the way, but the Titans never cut into the lead.  The Bison hit an astonishing 17 three point shots.  Six of the buckets came from junior Anthony Lijewski, who was perfect from beyond the three point arch and led all scorers with 20 points.  Senior Mark Shaw contributed 17 points.

 

Head Coach Nate Tripp said he was pleased with how his players moved the ball to find open shots especially with limited practice time under the governor’s previous restrictions.  He was a bit surprised by the number of long range buckets sank by his players but not disappointed since outside shooting was a major focus during practice.

 

Tripp said he doesn’t want to rely so heavily on three pointers during the rest of the season but, for now, has instructed his players to take the shot if open.  “I don’t want to live or die by it but if that’s what we have we’ll take that,” he said.