Early Defensive Struggle sees Lansing Everett prevail in Moneyball Tip-Off Opener

Everett’s Marion May accepts the Player of the Game award Saturday afternoon at the Moneyball Tip-Off Classic. Photo by Travis Long | TBM Team

The 6th annual Moneyball Tip-off Classic at Don Johnson kicked off Saturday Afternoon with a battle between two local schools, Lansing Catholic and Lansing Everett. The game was defined from the very start by defense, heading into the second period at just 8-7 Everett. Both teams' offenses turned up the heat a tad, but neither could find separation, and the game went into the half 25-22, Lansing Everett.

Lansing Catholic head coach Jack Bullock delivers final words to his team before tipoff Saturday afternoon at the Moneyball Tip-Off Classic. Photo by Travis Long | TBM Team

Coming out of the half, Lansing Catholic's Zach Snitgen led the charge for the Cougars, dropping 10 in the quarter alone and helping give Lansing Catholic their first lead of the game with 54.9 left in the third quarter, but an Everett 3-pointer erased that lead, and the Vikings never looked back. Starting the 4th with a 12-0 run, the Vikings kept the pressure on the Cougar offense and dominated the glass, truly pulling away and ending the game with a 58-41 victory. Lansing Everett’s Junior Guard Marion May led the way for the Vikings with 28 points, followed by Sophomore Sharp Shooter Preston Williams with 13. Lansing Catholic’s Junior duo led the scoring for Lansing Catholic. Zach Snitgen ended the day with 25 points, and Seth Hahneberg contributed 10 to the Cougars’ effort.

Logick Lyoya at the free throw line Saturday afternoon. Photo by Travis Long | TBM Team

Player of the Game: Marrion May - Everett #0

The Junior Guard continued his hot start to the season, averaging 27 points over his first four games, and he did not slow down in the victory, putting up 25 points in the win today. His big second-half performance helped the Vikings pull away from the close-contested game.

Marion May accepts his Player of the Game award and poses for a photo with the Moneyball team. Photo By Travis Long | TBM Team

What this Means:

Lansing Everett gets back into the win column after three straight losses, which included dropping two conference games. The Vikings now face a tough test against the top-10 Lansing Waverly Warriors (3-0) on the 16th to see if they can build on this new momentum.

For Lansing Catholic, this is their first loss of the year after the Cougars opened the season with a conference victory over the Olivet Eagles. The Cougars now look ahead to CAAC White Favorites Lansing Sexton J-Dubbs in an early conference test.