by Josh Cline

Special to Townbroadcast

Wayland’s boys’ basketball team partied down Thursday night in the opening game of The Legends Invitational Tournament at Aquinas College.

But things promise to get a lot tougher at 7:30 p.m. Friday when coach Mike Hudson’s Wildcats take on a Grand Rapids Catholic Central team that may be even better.

Wayland breezed through a 69-31 victory over Kent City.

From the opening tip off, 6-8 senior center Cory Ainsworth put the ball in Wildcat hands for the opening drive and basket. With a much quicker tempo, Wayland eventually managed to rack up a 38-point win over the Eagles.

Both sides were strong, but the quick passing and speed of the ‘Cats were just too much.

The triumph lifted Wayland’s overall season record to 5-1. Kent City fell to 3-5.

Senior guard Ternor Hudson led the winners with 17 points and Ainsworth had 15. Jack Donewald chipped in 10.

Catholic Central earned the right to meet Wayland in the finals Friday by getting past Ludington 72-52 in the nightcap Thursday. The Cougars, former rivals in the O-K Gold Conference, will bring a 6-1 overall record into the contest.

For more of Josh Cline’s photos, go to Ph3 Photos LLC on Facebook.