The Varnum Whippets started off the new year with wins from the Whippets and Lady Whippets Saturday the 2 ^nd .

Varnum hosted the 4A McClain Titans and Lady Titans in basketball action Saturday afternoon.

The number 3 in Class B Lady Whippets started the afternoon off with an early lead in the first with a 20-1 run.

The Lady Titans struggled in the first half against Varnum as the Lady Whippet’s offense continued to roll in the second, scoring 16 points to go into the half with a score of 36-3.

The Lady Titans regrouped and came out more determined to close the gap with 12 points scored but the Lady Whippets stuck to their game plan and continued with the offensive attack.

McClain had the best quarter in the fourth, scoring 15 points to Varnum’s 13 points.

The Lady Whippets had control of the game in first half. The McClain Lady Titans could not catch up at the end of regulation.

Final score was 67-30 Varnum Lady Whippets.

Leading the way for the Lady Whippets was Grace Lena with 19 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.

Isabel Davis had 14 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, one steal and was 2-2 from the line.

Savannah King had 11 points, one 3-point shot, 4 assists, 2 rebounds, 3 steals and was 2-4 from the foul line.

Hailey Mack had 7 points, one 3-point shot, 2 assists, 5 rebounds and one steal.

Next was the Varnum boys. The number 1 Varnum in Class B had to take on the McClain Titans without their 6’6” center due to COVID protocol.

This game was a battle from the start. Both teams put up points in the first but Varnum had the slight edge to go up 17-14.

The Titans took control in the second and went on a 18-8 run. The Whippets could not find their rhythm, but they did not give up.

Heading into the half, the score was 32-25 McClain Titans.

Coming out of the half, the Whippets fired right back and closed the gap with a 21-16 run in the third.

With only 2.5 seconds left in the third, Lance Nutt took in the inbound ball and dribbled it to half court and heaved the ball in for the score giving the Whippets some very needed momentum to go into the fourth.

The game was tied up in the fourth as both teams fought to take the lead. The Titans fought to hard and fouled the Whippets multiple times as Varnum pulled out the win in a very hardfought game.

Final score of the battle was 63-61 Varnum Whippets.

“What a great ballgame this was.” Head Coach Jon Hadley stated. “McClain has had some great wins this season (including a win over 5A #7) so we knew it would be quite a challenge today.

They are extremely athletic in every spot, good size, and length, with good skill sets. Coach Randy Rutherford does a great job with them as well. I am really proud of the way our kids competed today. We got pushed and had to overcome adversity to get this win. This is a great win for us.”

Leading for the Whippets was Lance Nutt with 22 points, one 3-points shot, 4 assists, 2 steals and was 9-11 from the foul line.

Martell Davis had 13 points, three 3-point shots and two steals.

Chubby Hill had 12 points, two 3-point shots, 2 assists, 2 steals and was 2-2 from the line and Baylen White had 9 points, one 3-point shot and 9 rebounds.