Deontae Hudson, Muskegon Heights win classic boys basketball shootout over Ryan Majerle and Rockford
Shawn Liverance | The Muskegon Chronicle, December 11, 2010 10:15 p.m.

The Muskegon Heights boys basketball game Saturday against visiting rival Rockford turned into a shootout between star guards.

In the end, Muskegon Heights’ Deontae Hudson got the better of Rockford’s Ryan Majerle as the host Tigers pulled out a thrilling 75-73 nonconference win.

Hudson finished with 30 points for the Tigers and Marleje scored 36 for the Rams.

“It really was a classic matchup of guards and they put on a show,” Muskegon Heights coach Keith Guy said.

The Tigers looked to be in control of the game, building a double-digit lead early in the third quarter before entering the fourth quarter with a 57-50 lead.

But the Rams rallied over the final 8 minutes and took a 73-72 lead with 1 minute remaining on a 3-point shot from Justin Klein.

The Tigers regained the lead on their ensuing possession as Hudson scored a basket off an inbounds play.
Rockford then set up for a potential game-winning shot, but a Ram player stepped out of bounds with the ball with 1.7 seconds remaining, sealing a thrilling win for the Tigers in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

“It was pretty close throughout the game,” Guy said. “They hit some 3s in the fourth quarter that got them back in the game, but we were able to hang on in the end.”

Rowmell Crawford chipped in with 14 points for the Tigers and DeShaun Thrower totaled six assists.

Klein finished with 21 points for the Rams.