The Wayland boys’ varsity basketball team defeated O-K Gold Conference rival Forest Hills Eastern 65-53 Friday night.

The victory improved the Wildcats’ overall season record to 8-2. They are 5-1 in conference play.

Senior point guard Avery Hudson led all scorers with 36 points.

The flu bug slowed down the usually hurrying Wildcats’ offense and defense. Hudson and 6-7 center Zack Nieuwkoop were the only regulars who were healthy and some team members missed the game entirely and were bed ridden at home. Nieuwkoop finished with 18 points.

Coach Mike Hudson was forced to do a lot of running people in and out because of the presence of the bug.

One observer said, “(There were) Lots of red faces huffing and puffing up and down the floor. You’d have thought everyone was out of shape, but not true.”

Wayland, last week ranked No. 6 in the latest Associated Press state-wide Class B poll, will be at home to take on Byron Center at 7 p.m. Tuesday. It will be a non-league game.