Gary West Side overcame a 12-point first half deficit to put away Michigan City by a score of 63-61 on Saturday night. West Side’s Jalen Washington returned to the Cougar lineup after missing all last season with an ACL tear.The Cougars utilized an effective zone for a stretch to slow down the uptempo Wolves attack, and fans got to witness a shootout between two of the finest guards in Northwest Indiana down the stretch.

Michigan City’s sophomore guard  Hodges finished with 30 points, including 15 in the fourth. The undersized guard buried big shots for the Wolves like he has since entering high school.

The mega effort from Hodges wasn’t enough as West Side countered with Quimari Peterson and Chrishawn Christmas. Peterson was locked in from deep all game and matched Hodges in big points of the game. He finished with 23 points.

Christmas is also back in the rotation for West Side after a stint at a prep school and, like Washington, tearing his ACL last year. It was his bucket late in the game that gave West Side the lead. He made a major impact on the glass and around the rim with his size and athleticism.

Players of Note

Jamie Hodges – 5-9 – PG – Michigan City - 2023