(3-11-23) Old-timers who have followed the Niles-Benton Harbor rivalry over the years in high school boys basketball will tell you anytime that the Vikings beat the Tigers…IT IS A BIG DEAL!
During the regular season on January 24th Benton Harbor had no trouble with Niles picking up an eighteen point win 77-59
RELATED:
- Benton Harbor ‘Greatest Michigan Basketball Team Ever’ – 1964 and 1965
- Bill Weaver And The 1973-74 Niles Vikings Had A Season To Remember
Last night was one of those BIG NIGHTS when the Vikings, who were underdogs and trailed most of the game, beat Benton Harbor 65-61 in D2 District title game.
The Vikings Mike Phillips continues to lead the Niles tournament run scoring 31 points, 12 in the 4th quarter and helping to overcome a 12 point deficit 33-21 at halftime.
The halftime talk from Niles Head Coach Myles Busby must have been a good one as the Vikings would score 19 points in the 3rd quarter and 25 points in the 4th quarter.
BENTON HARBOR: Grant Gondrezick 5-16 10-12 22, Damarien Bell 2-6 0-0 5, Brian Gillespie 7-16 3-5 17, Montell Hobbs 2-6 0-0 5, Josiah King 1-2 0-1 2, Antwan Callahan 2-4 0-0 4, Jaeden Meeks 1-5 0-0 3, Quantravion Word 2-5 2-4 6. TOTALS: 21-56 15-22 61
NILES: Jayson Johnson 6-11 1-2 14, Anthony Brady 2-6 0-0 5, Mike Phillips 6-16 17-18 31, Alec Lozada 0-1 2-4 2, Ethan Chambliss 3-5 5-10 11, Brayden Favors 1-3 0-1 2, Acid Kirtdoll 0-2 0-0 0. TOTALS 18-44 25-35 65
| Benton Harbor | 15 | 33 | 43 | 61 |
| Niles | 11 | 21 | 40 | 65 |
The last time Niles won a District title was 11 years ago in 2012.
With the lost Benton Harbor ends the season 16-8, while the Vikings are now 15-10.
WSJM COMPLETE Audio replay – 3/10/23 – Boys District Finals – Benton Harbor vs. Niles
WSJM wrap-up and scoring totals –
Vikings Tournament Trail…
DIVISION 2 — District 47 (Niles)
Monday, March 6
- Buchanan 45 Dowagiac 44
- Niles 44 Edwardsburg 43
Wednesday, March 8
- Benton Harbor 65 Buchanan 40
- Niles 62 Berrien Springs 47
Friday, March 10
- Niles 65 Benton Harbor 61
Up Next – Regional Semifinal – Grand Rapids South Christian (Monday 3-13-23) at 5:30pm at Vicksburg
A look back in time….1964-1965 Season
In 1964 and 1965 Benton Harbor would win two Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) state titles. During those two years it would be one of the best individual match-ups in the series — Niles’ Al Brenner and Benton Harbor’s LC Bowen. The two could both score a lot of points and that was before the 3 point line appeared on the floor.
While Niles teams were having good seasons, Benton Harbor was having great season…that usually include the Tigers winning the match-ups…regular season and tournament. They were always intense games.
Al Brenner and LC Bowen
Stateline Sports Network 