The Wayland boys’ varsity basketball team Friday evening absorbed its third straight loss of the season, a rarity, by dropping a 58-40 decision to Spring Lake in the second and final round of the Cornerstone High School Holiday Basketball Tournament.

The Wildcats’ greatest downfall was a terrible third quarter in which they were outscored 18-4, after spotting the Lakers 27-23 at the half.

Spring Lake, which lost to Forest Hills Central in the first round Tuesday afternoon, was able to bottle up 6-6 junior pivot Cory Ainsworth, the ‘Cats leading scorer, who was held to just four tallies. Wayland had a poor shooting night, making less than 30 percent of its field goal attempts.

6-8 senior forward Carter Nyp led Wayland with 20 points, including four three-point field goals. Senior point guard Travis Cutler scored eight points and came up with a team-high nine rebounds. Forward Jack Donewald had four assists.

Griffin Lorimer netted 16 points for Spring Lake and Jack VanWingen added 14.

The Wildcats, now 2-3 on the season overall, will open O-K Gold Conference play Friday evening, Jan. 5, at Grand Rapids Christian.

COVER PHOTO: Travis Cutler

(Photos courtesy of Kenny Ritz)