The Wayland boys’ varsity basketball team clinched at least a share of the O-K Gold Conference championship with a 59-44 victory at Grand Rapids South Christian Tuesday evening.

The Wildcats, now 16-1 for the season overall and ranked third in the latest Associated Press state-wide Class B poll, can wi9n the league title outright if they can get past Ottawa Hills Friday night.

South Christian, which has suffered through a rare losing season, wasn’t a friendly host in the early going. The Sailors shot out to a 6-0 lead on a couple of three-point buckets by senior guard Ty Brinks and they led 9-2 when Eric Dykstra nailed a three.

But it all came unglued shortly afterward when junior guard Avery Hudson swished a three and junior pivot Zack Nieuwkoop scored inside to bring the ‘Cats to within two points, 11-9. Though Dykstra hit another three for South Christian, Wildcat junior Mitchell Dykstra finally put his team up for the first time at 15-14.

Meanwhile, South’s gallant effort to box in Nieuwkoop inside was falling apart because of fouls. The Sailors were whistled for seven fouls at the same time Wayland had only one.

The two teams were knotted at 19 at the end of the first quarter, mostly because Tarik Williams nailed a three-pointer right at the buzzer.

But then the Wildcats’ defense really took over the contest, holding South to just a field goal and a free throw in the entire second period. Wayland was cruising to 33-22 advantage at intermission and after a 10-minute stretch over two quarters outscored the home team 29-13.

The Sailors had drilled five three-point baskets in the first eight minutes, but somehow couldn’t get good open looks even from that range afterward.

The game in the third period slowed to a defensive struggle, with both teams scoring in single digits. Wayland took a 42-29 advantage into the fourth period.

Michael Kelly, who with Hudson once again did a good job getting the ball inside to Nieuwkoop, perhaps ended any remaining ideas South had for a comeback when he nailed a three with 5:37 left in the ballgame to put the ‘Cats up by 16, 49-33.

South put together a furious rally to cut its deficit to 10, 51-41, on a three by Brinks and a three and a baseline jumper by Dylan Huisman, but Wayland went to the free throw line with Kelly and Hudson and started pulling away again.

The Wildcats were enjoying their biggest lead, 18 points, with about two minutes left and coach Mike Hudson emptied his bench.

Nieuwkoop once again led the offensive attack with 15 points. This time four Wildcats reached double figures, as Kelly and Jake Holtz both bagged a dozen markers and Hudson chipped in 10.

Brinks led all scorers with 18 points, including four threes.

PHOTO: Michael Kelly (Photo courtesy of Kenny Ritz)