Entering his final high school basketball campaign, Ben Johnson needed no warmup game or no ramp up period.

From the jump, the senior was in his bag.

Portage Central’s star guard was virtually unstoppable on Tuesday night, putting on a dazzling scoring display by cooking for a career-high 47 points in leading the Mustangs to a season-opening 74-71 win over Kalamazoo Hackett.

Johnson’s unforgettable scoring night featured a staggering nine made 3-pointers (9-of-15) and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. He shot 57 percent overall from the field and added five assists and three steals.

The 6-foot guard propelled Portage Central to a 46-27 halftime lead before Hackett stormed back with a 44-point second half. The Mustangs were able to fend off the Irish down the stretch, preservin

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