The Chx hosted the West Ottawa Panthers Friday night in front of a large and festive Christmas clothes-wearing crowd.  In the first half, the game was up and down the court, with both teams scoring at will  The game was tied up at 23 after the first quarter and the Chix led by 3 points, 40-37 at halftime.

In the 3rd quarter, the Chix took control of the game, outscoring the Panthers 24-10 in the period behind the play of Junior Will Ver Steeg, and Senior Layne Risdon, and the Chix led 64-47 after 3 quarters.  The Chix maintained their lead in the 4th quarter and beat the Panthers 77-61.

Individually, the Chix had a trio of players score double figures in the game for the Chix.  Layne Risdon scored a season-high 28 points on 11-16 from the field and 4-4 from the free throw stripe.  Risdon added 9 rebounds and 3 steals for the Chix.  Will Ver Steeg scored a career-high 23 points.  Ver Steeg knocked down 8-13 shots from the field and 6-6 from the free throw line.  Ver Steeg also added 6 rebounds.  Junior BJ Walker stuffed the stat sheet with his second consecutive double-double on the season.  Walker scored 14 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, dished out 6 assists, and recorded 3 steals.  Walker was also 6-6 from the Free Throw line as the Chix were a perfect 21-21 from the charity stripe in the game!  Sophomore Caleb Claerbaut scored 8 points, ripped down 4 boards, and blocked 3 shots for the Chix while Junior Quincy Thome chipped in with 4 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.  All 11 players for the Chix saw action on the evening.

The Chix are off until next Wednesday, Dec. 27, when they host Rockford in the Zeeland Christmas Classic.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm, 20 minutes after the Zeeland West and Covenant Christian game is finished.