NOUVEL ADVANCES TO TOURNAMENT FINAL IN TRAVERSE CITY: The Nouvel boys basketball team defeated Grand Rapids West Catholic 58–53 on Friday at the Traverse City St. Francis Tournament. The Panthers will face the winner of Traverse City St. Francis and Detroit Henry Ford in Saturday’s championship game. Nouvel trailed 32–25 at halftime but outscored West Catholic 17–9 in the third quarter to take a one-point lead entering the fourth. The Panthers extended the margin to five points by the final buzzer. RJ Kelly dazzled with 29 points and Kobe Box finished with eight. Conrad Wardin (pictured) and Courtney Burch controlled the boards with 11 and 10 rebounds respectively. Nouvel’s record improves to 9–6. The Panthers fell earlier in the week to conference opponent Michigan Lutheran Seminary, 55–46. Nouvel opens February at home Tuesday against Flint Powers Catholic (11–3). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.