Posen closes league schedule with a solid win at Mio

Viking head coach Steve Hentkowski was not going to let Mio get any type of momentum like they did in the first meeting between the schools. Posen (15-3) could not contain the T-Bolts speed in the first meeting, January 30, and had to switch from a man-to-man to a zone defense to spark a second half comeback. In the second and final meeting of the season, Hentkowski had the boys play a zone the entire game and kept the home team in check. The Vikes won their third straight contest, 57-51, and earned the season sweep against the once mighty Mio basketball program for the second time in three seasons. It also was the final conference contest.

Posen finished 12-2 in the North Star League and now awaits results of first place Fairview?s games against Arenac and Hale. Fairview, who knocked off Posen February 9 to take over first, still has a game against Hale, the only team to knock off the Eagles in league action. It will be Posen?s only real shot for a share of the league crown. Next up will be Class D?s No. 1 team, the Cedarville Trojans, who scored 94 against the Red and White on opening night. The Vikings will be on the road for the game.

HENTKOWSKI SAID junior Jordan Hincka had an outstanding game against Mio and put in 19 points. He also added five rebounds and four assists. The Posen lead was 15-12 after the first quarter and 27-23 at the half. The Vikes upped their lead to nine at the start of the fou

rth quarter. Key three pointers came from Nathan Strzelecki and Jason McLeod which seemed to take the air out of Mio, said Hentkowski. ?Brad Haske also had an outstanding game, as well,? said Hentkowski. He had five rebounds. Matt ?Uncle Sam? Styma put in 10 points and collected five boards. Brandon Hentkowski dished another seven assists. The Mio defense tried to cut off the passes to center Nick LaTulip and slow the junior down. He still scored 10 points. The point total by LaTulip follows a career night where he lit up Hale for 37. LaTulip and Hincka combined for 58 of Posen?s 67 points in a 13-point victory.

Hentkowski credited the role and bench players for the contributions made in the impressive win. The regular season finale is March 2 hosting Rogers City. The district tournament begins March 6 in Johannesburg. The Vikes take on Onaway that evening, while Atlanta and Joburg are on the other side of the bracket.