Raider Boys Basketball improves to 3-1 with win over Bath

The Portland High School boys basketball team hosted Bath on Monday night.  The Raiders picked up a decisive 62-19 win to move to 3-1 on the season. 

Portland junior guard Evan Gross led the Raiders with 18 points.  Junior forward Christopher Battley added 11 points.  Sophomore forward Kayden Dickerson had eight points. 

Bath was led by senior Bryce Proctor with six points. 

When asked about his team’s performance against Bath, Portland coach Luke Pohl said, “I thought it was the hardest we have played all year.  Especially on that defensive end, the shots they (Bath) made, they really had to earn them.  They were really tough shots.  We shot the ball well.  We felt pretty comfortable.  It was just a great game.”

With the win on Monday, Portland moves to 3-1 on the season.  Portland opened the season on November 28th with a 61-58 overtime win over St. Johns.  On December 4th the defeated Potterville 56-32.

The Raiders only loss of the season so far came on December 8th when they fell to Olivet in a league contest 63-49. 

When asked about the season so far, Pohl said, “We lost on Friday night.  I was really disappointed.  The players were disappointed.  We turned it over 22 times and they scored 26 points on turnovers.  I think after yesterday’s practice, when I talked to them, they really took that to heart.  They do not want that stuff to happen.  Its about the effort.  Its about the communication.  Its about the basics and being disciplined, and doing what you have to do defensively.  The defensive side is the coach’s side of the floor.  It is all about his rule.  These kids were really trying to get it done tonight.  I think it is really going to carry over to Friday night against Ionia.  Ionia will obviously be a lot better, but I am really looking forward to that game.  I think our kids are really going to surprise some people, especially when we get Domonic (Novara) back.”

Novara, a junior guard, was one of the Raiders leading scores last season.  He has not yet seen any game time in the current season due to injury and illness, but hopes to be back in action very soon. 

Scoring by quarter:

1st – 2nd – 3rd – 4th – Final

Portland 18 – 16 – 19 – 9 – 62

Bath 5 – 3 – 5 – 5 – 19

Portland will host Ionia (3-1 overall, 1-0 in CAAC White) Friday night at 7:00.  Their last contest before taking a holiday break will be at Carson City Crystal (0-4 overall) at 7:00 on December 18th.

After the break, they will jump right back into league play with games against Lakewood (January 5th) and Lansing Catholic (January 9th).

You can find the Bleacher Denizen;s recap of the game HERE