The Ferndale boys' basketball team started out strong and held on to win 58-51 at home to Blaine in a Northwest Conference game Tuesday, Jan. 8.

"We played really well in the first half," Ferndale coach Monte Walton said in a phone interview. "Blaine came out and charged in the second and played really hard."

Aiden Sands scored 16 of his 20 points for the Golden Eagles (7-6, 4-1 NWC) in the first half to lead the way. Austin Honeycutt scored eight of his 14 in the second half and Lukas Melton added seven of his eight in the second half.

"I think we played really tough defense in the first and we just couldn't stop Josiah Westbrook in the second half," Walton said. "Credit to our assistant coaches though, they really came out with a great game plan for us and prepared the team well."

Blaine (3-9, 1-4 NWC) was led by Westbrook, who scored 19 points, and Gabe Trump, who scored 14.

Blaine hosts Squalicum on Thursday, Jan. 10, while the Golden Eagles travel to Meridian on Friday, Jan. 11, both Northwest Conference games.

FERNDALE 58, BLAINE 51

Blaine 8 12 12 19 - 51

Ferndale 17 14 13 14 - 58

Blaine: Josiah Westbrook 19, Isaiah Jackson 4, Jericho Probadora 0, Cole Muder 0, Ivan Sanchez 2, Gabe Trump 14, Ryan Wallen 4, Zach Rector 11. Team totals: 16-51 16-20 51.

Ferndale: Austin Honeycutt 14, Luis Alvarez 0, Lukas Melton 8, Aiden Sands 20, Zachary Cutsforth 0, Brady Shearer 5, Kendall Kelly 2, Travis Hoffman 0, Zach Berkompas 4, Cameron Massey 4, John Weg 2. Team totals: 21-57 13-21 58.

3-ptg: Blaine 3 (Westbrook 2), Ferndale 3 (three players at 1). Rebounds: Blaine 25 (Rector 6), Ferndale 33 (Honeycutt 7). Assists: Blaine 12 (Jackson 5), Ferndale 8 (Sands 3). Fouls: Blaine 16 (Rector), Ferndale 17 (none). Turnovers: Blaine 11, Ferndale 8.