By DOUG DONNELLY

OTTAWA LAKE – Whiteford’s basketball team is playing in a new gymnasium this season.

Bobcat boys basketball coach Nick Abalos had a challenge for his team.

“I told the non-football guys that needed to make 10,000 shots in the new gym before the season started that way we would have home court advantage,” Abalos said. “Not just shoot 10,000 shots but make 10,000 shots. They were in about every morning before school shooting.”

The practice paid off Friday as Whiteford opened the 2023-24 season with a 75-34 win over Hudson.

“We played pretty well,” Abalos said. “I was happy with the results.”

The Bobcats jumped on Hudson early. Hunter DeBarr got a steal on Hudson’s first possession and got the ball to Lincoln Joerin who made a basket and was fouled for a 3-0 Bobcat lead.

The lead swelled to 8-0 on a Josh Hill triple and the Bobcats led 18-4 at the end of first quarter.

Evan Parker got into the mix in the second quarter, swishing a 3-pointer for a 22-4 lead. Hill then hit a 3-pointer on an assist from Joerin, then returned the favor when he found Joerin for a corner triple and the Bobcats were up 30-8.

Whiteford led 40-15 at halftime and coasted in the second half.

“We’ve only had a couple of days of practice so I’m happy with how we played,” Abalos said.

Joerin and Hill led the Bobcats with 14 points each while Parker added 13 and Kolby Masserant 11. DeBarr and Noah Stevens scored 7 points each.

The Bobcats host Saline Washtenaw Christian Academy Tuesday then host Erie Mason Friday in the Tri-County Conference opener.

HUDSON 4 11 13 6 – 34

WHITEFORD 18 22 18 17 – 75

HUDSON: Jones 6 0-0 12, Engle-Wendt 0 1-2 1, St. John 4(1) 0-0 9, L. Arnett 2 0-0 4, C. Arnett 1 0-0 2, Pike 2(2) 0-0 6. Totals 15(3) 1-2 34.

WHITEFORD: L. Joerin 6(1) 1-1 14,  Hill 5(4) 0-0 14, Kahn 1 0-0 2, Parker 5(2) 1-2 13, H. DeBarr 3 1-1 7, Masserant 2 7-10 11, Schroyer 1 0-0 2, Stevens 3 1-2 7, Waterford 2(1) 0-0 5. Totals 28(8) 11-16 75.