Cagers top Hillman for third win in five games
Four quarters of tight defense and timely shooting were what the Hurons (3-11) needed for a 48-40 win at Hillman Tuesday. “I thought defensively we played really well. We had a hand up on their shooters faces and we rebounded pretty well. It was an up-tempo game and we ran the floor when we had the opportunity,” said Huron coach Karl Grambau.
The Hurons, who lost to Hillman in the season-opener, led most of the way. Hillman’s only lead came when the Tigers hit the first basket, then the Hurons answered with the next five points. Charley Smolinski and Austin Fairbanks connected on short jumpers and Chris Paschke’s free throw gave the Hurons a lead they wouldn’t surrender.
THE HURONS LED 11-8 at the end of the first quarter, despite missing six straight free throws and connecting on just 4-of-13 from the line in the quarter. They hit 7-of-20 free throws for the game. When Hillman cut into the lead, Rogers City responded. With the score 18-16, junior forward Justin Wilbert hit an inside banker and moments later scored on a drive to make the score 22-16 with 1:37 left in the half.
Paschke assisted on baskets by Bret Karsten and Smolinski as Rogers City led 26-21 at halftime. Hillman ran off seven straight points in a three-minute span to cut the lead to 30-28. The Tiger run ended as Chris Santini tipped a rebound to Smolinski under the basket, who nailed the banker. Paschke’s three from the left wing made the score 37-30 at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the Hurons limited the Tigers to just four points over the last five minutes to seal the win. “We did a lot of good things that will help us in future games,” Grambau said. A balanced scoring attack was led by Karsten and Smolinski with 10 points each, Paschke with nine and Fairbanks with eight.
LAST FRIDAY a 24-12 first quarter deficit proved too much for the Hurons to overcome in a 54-34 loss at Newberry. The Hurons trailed 30-22 at halftime and 38-28 at the end o
THE JV Hurons (11-3) recorded a 44-38 win over Hillman. The Hurons led 24-18 at halftime, but saw that cut to 30-28 heading into the final quarter. Hillman scored nine straight points to make the score 38-37 with 3:49 left in the game. Then the Hurons shut down the Tigers, scoring the last six points of the game. Trent Holmes led the team in scoring with 10 points while Andy Tulgetske had nine and Zach Karsten added eight.
IN NEWBERRY, the JV Hurons came away with a 52-46 win in another close game. Rogers City trailed 16-13 after the first quarter but led 29-25 at halftime. Newberry cut into the Huron lead but couldn’t get by. Nick Kowalski scored 11 points to pace the scoring. Scott Kowalewsky scored 10 and Zach Karsten added nine. The Hurons host Rudyard for homecoming Friday and play in Posen Tuesday against the undefeated Vikings.