COLTS UNDERCLASSMAN KEEPS UP HOT STREAK, POURS IN 32 IN TROY'S TOPPING OF FERNDALE

Troy's James Young continues to show people why he is arguably the best sophomore boys basketball player in the state. On Tuesday in hostile waters, Young displayed his usual wizardry on the hardwood by tickling the twine for 32 points and leading the Colts to a 60-53 victory over Ferndale on the road.

The 6-6 small forward scored nine straight points to break open a tie game midway through the second half and spur Troy on to the win.

Showing off his skills from long distance, Young buried four 3-pointers. He is averaging 26.5 points per game this season after averaging 16 a game last season as a freshman.

Complimenting Young's performance nicely was the Troy backcourt of junior point guard Evan Mahone and senior shooting guard John Stibbich, who combined for 20 points and eight assists. Mahone, a second-year starter, scored 14 points while drilling a pair of 3-pointers and all four of his attempts from the charity stripe. Starting center Al Wise did a solid job in the post for longtime Troy head coach Gary Fralick's squad, putting up six points and eight rebounds.

The Colts raise their record to 5-1, with their only loss of the campaign coming to Auburn Hills Avondale. Ferndale started the year 4-0, but has now dropped two straight ballgames and stands at 4-2. Also helping with Troy's cause in its pursuit of the OAA White title on Tuesday evening was the fact that previously-undefeated Berkley, along with the Colts one of the frontrunners for the crown, lost to Rochester Adams. Both Troy and Ferndale have one defeat in league play.

Jordan Guinn paced Ferndale with a team-high 28 points. The Eagles chances for their second consecutive conference banner get a significant boost in the coming days when Joe Baker, a dynamic 25-point a night talent on the wing, becomes eligible following a transfer from Southfield-Lathrup via Clawson.

Troy next takes the floor to play Seaholm – losers to Lake Orion in other conference action Tuesday – for its next game and Ferndale hits the road for its next affair, a crucial intra-conference clash with Berkley.