Bendle’s David Younger-Dean drives the baseline. Photo by Brandon Pope BURTON — While the Bendle varsity boys’ basketball team may have a visit to Atherton to look forward to tomorrow, on Tuesday Byron came to town and was able to edge out a 63-55 Genesee Area Conference-Blue victory.

That didn’t stop Trevor Hurd from putting up a team-high 20 points and 12 rebounds, though, a feat David Younger-Dean complimented with a 13-point, six-assist performance.

As the end of the 2011-12 regular season grows near, Bendle hosted Webberville for a GAC-Blue matchup last Friday and found itself on the wrong side of a 44-40 decision. Standing tall for the Tigers despite the otherwise gloomy outcome was David Younger-Deam with a team-high 13 points.

Bendle is back in action today at crosstown rival Atherton. — M.S.

ATHERTON

The race to the top of the Genesee Area Conference standings has been a close one this season, but that didn’t apply on Tuesday, as the Wolverines dispatched Dryden, 54-32.

The difference in the contest was Atherton’s ability to outscore the Cardinals in every quarter, including 16-1 in the second and 13-8 in the third.

Taking the lead for the Wolverines was Stone Barr with 17 points, Omar Edwards had nine points, and scoring six each were Joe Williams and Jaleel Woodson.

Last Friday things were a little tighter when Byron came to town, but Atherton was still able to parlay Devon Stadtfeld’s 17-point, four-rebound three-steal showing into a 48-42 victory. Joe Williams also made his presence felt with nine points.

The Wolverines, 11-6 overall, 10-5 GAC-Blue, hosts Bendle tomorrow. — M.S.

BENTLEY

Bentley’s boys’ hoops squad fell to 9-8 on the season in a tough road match up with Flint Hamady Tuesday. A hard fought effort would not be enough to overcome the 16-1 Hawks, as Bentley fell, 54-30.

The Bulldogs held close early, trailing by four after the first period. The Hamady offense then kicked it into overdrive and outscored the Bulldogs in the second quarter, 19-4. The momentum carried into the third quarter where the Hawks gained a 10-1 edge, before taking the four-point advantage in the fourth quarter.

Kyle Kuzma came through with 10 points for the Bulldogs, and Mitchell McFall followed him with nine points. Jon Martinbianco tossed in six points, while Brad Hanson and Jake Coron each had two. Jason Withers scored one point. The Hawks were led by Erick Layton’s 13 points, four steals and six boards.The Bulldogs return to the court on Friday welcoming Byron.

When longtime conference foes get together, they often produce games like this. Friday’s Genesee Area Conference battle between Bentley and Genesee would go down to the wire, but the Wolves would edge out the Bulldogs, 53- 51, at Genesee. The opening frame of the contest gave an early advantage to the Wolves, 15-7. The two squads split the second quarter, as they headed into the half with Genesee ahead, 29-21.

The offense erupted in the third quarter, as the two teams combined for 40 points in the stanza. The defense was the story in the fourth, with just 14 points scored. Despite outscoring the Wolves, 8- 6, in the final period, Bentley fell just two points short of overtime. With the loss, the Bulldogs now sit at 9-7 overall.

Kuzma knocked down five from beyond the arc to pour in a game-high 22 points for the Bulldogs. Cody Beebe put in three from downtown, accumulating 11 points. McFall put up seven points of his own, while Martinbianco tossed in five. Tyler Prine recorded three points, and Nate Boone scored two. The Wolves were led by Zack Johnson’s 15 points.

The Bulldogs will be back on the conference schedule on Friday against Byron. — B.P.

FAITH

The Lions raised their record to 10-7 overall by beating Kimball Landmark Academy of Port Huron for the second time this season on Tuesday, 45-32.

Setting the pace for Faith by throwing down 26 points on five three-pointers was Tyler Brown, Nolan Moore was also key for Faith with 11 points, five rebounds and five steals and Mike Roeper pulled in 11 boards.

Last Thursday, the action was fast and furious, as the Lions made the short trip over to the Michigan School for the Deaf for a Inner States Athletic Conference contest, and after several lead changes Faith was finally able to works its way to a 56-51 victory.

Last Friday, the tides took a very different turn for the Lions, as they found themselves on the wrong side of a 71-27 decision at crosstown rival Genesee Christian.

Faith, 6-9 overall, is ranked 726th in the state and 19,008th in the nation according to maxpreps.com and next takes the court at St. Thomas More today. — M.S.

GENESEE CHRISTIAN

Eleven players broke into the scoring column, as the Soldiers celebrated Senior Night with a 71-27 win over Burton rival Faith High last Friday at home.

Hunter Selby scored 21 points and Josh Coon added 13, as Genesee Christian improved to 3-13. Micah Shaw tossed in eight points and Emmon Stokes scored six. The Soldiers marched out to a 17-7 first-quarter lead and made it 35-15 at halftime. A big 27-11 third quarter gave them a 62-26 command.

Genesee Christian will host Lansing Christian tonight. — D.N.