WHITEHALL The Whitehall Vikings slow starts have been a recurring pattern coach Rachel Kent wants to break so far this season, but Tuesday night, the problem flared up again.
The Vikings scored just one point in the first quarter, creating a deficit Whitehall could never erase in a 53-36 nonconference home loss to Muskegon Catholic.
The Crusaders extended their big lead from 15-1 to 31-9 in the second quarter before Whitehall was able to respond with a strong second half.
Emily MacArthur had a strong night for the Vikings, posting a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. She also had three blocks.
Jenna Pesch added eight points and Bailey Seeger had five.
MUSKEGON CATHOLIC (53) Harris 3 0-0 6, Neal 2 0-0 5, Thompson 3 0-0 8, Bertolone 2 0-0 4, Briggs 0 0-2 0, Ladd 3 0-0 6, Coon 1 0-1 2, Mastella 1 0-0 2, Salisz 3 1-2 7, Locke 5 0-0 10, Wickstrom 1 0-2 3. Totals 24 1-7 53.
WHITEHALL (36) Chamberlain 2 0-0 4, Pladies 1 0-0 2, Balzer 1 0-1 2, Seeger 2 1-2 5, MacArthur 7 1-2 15, Pesch 3 2-2 8. Totals 15 4-7 36.
Muskegon Cath....15 16 7 15 53
Whitehall........ 1 8 14 13 36
Three-point goals Neal 1, Thompson 2, Wickstrom 1. Total fouls Muskegon Catholic 13, Whitehall 8. Fouled out none.
Rockets fall in squeaker
ZEELAND It was the Zeeland East Chix who made the big plays down the stretch, defeating Reeths-Puffer 48-44 in an O-K Black Conference game Tuesday night.
The game was tied entering the final quarter, but the Chix staved off R-P with a 10-6 final-quarter run.
Kalisa and Camaryia Williams were the top scorers for the Rockets in a losing effort, with Kalisa scoring 19 points and Camaryia adding 15. Carrie Wilson scored five points.
Aubrey Ende was the top scorer in the game, piling up 28 points for the victorious Chix.