Boys basketball: Battle Ground 54, Heritage 49

Defense and free-throw shooting down the stretch earned the win for the host Tigers.

Heritage, which scored 20 points in the first quarter, tallied only seven points in the fourth period.

“I’m really happy with our defense in the fourth quarter,” Battle Ground coach Wes Armstrong said. “The guys communicated better and were in the right positions defensively. Our guys really dug deep.”

Battle Ground’s Devin Johnson led all scorers with 21 points and made some key free throws late to hold off Heritage. He also grabbed a team-leading eight rebounds. Nate Moring also hit some big foul shots late in the game. Kobe Ford had five assists for the Tigers (8-9, 4-5 4A GSHL).

Four players scored in double figures for the Timberwolves (5-13, 3-7). Payton Monda had 13 points, Mark Bejan 12, Kenese Peneueta 11 and Kevin Wilkerson 10.

The result puts Battle Ground alone in fourth place in the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League.

BATTLE GROUND 54, HERITAGE 49

HERITAGE — Tanner Lundberg 0, Mark Bejan 12, Kalani Umiamaka 2, Kenese Peneueta 11, Amel Mekic 0, Kevin Wilkerson 10, Payton Monda 13, Austin Riggs 1. Totals 18 (7) 6-10 49.

BATTLE GROUND — Joe Carroll 8, Nate Moring 8, Kellen Butler 2, Cole Scheibel 0, Kobe Ford 7, Devin Johnson 21, Andrej Besara 6, Leland O’Hanlon 2, Keaton Hoots 0, Rennie Mendoza 0. Totals 18 (3) 15-22 54.

Heritage 20 11 11 7—49

BGround 15 13 13 13—54

JV — Battle Ground won. C — Battle Ground won.