Hurons run to win over Onaway Cards

Rogers City broke a 14-14 first-quarter tie with a burst of scoring in the second quarter to defeat Onaway 68-51 Tuesday at home. The Cardinals trailed 14-7 with 3:11 left in the first quarter after Huron senior guard Bret Karsten hit a three-pointer from the left wing. Then a basket by Cardinal center Ryan Burns, and five points from Chris Ellenberger, including a three-pointer at the buzzer, knotted up the score.

When James McDowell drained a three-pointer, the Cardinals had their last lead of the game. Rogers City scored nine straight points over the next two minutes to break open the game. They finished the quarter on a 13-2 run to lead 31-21 at the half. Karsten, who led all scorers with 28 points, had four points in the run, and Jacob Vogler scored six consecutive points, his first points of the season. Matt Peacock?s put-back gave the hosts a ten-point lead heading into the locker room.

IN THE THIRD quarter, Ellenberger?s steal, lay-up, and free throw looked to spark the visitors, but the Hurons would have none of that. Using a frantic press, the Hurons went on a 13-2 run to take a 44-26 lead. Senior center Scott Kowalewsky?s tip over two Cards highlighted the run. Kowalewsky, who was boxed out as a shot bounced high off the rim, tipped the ball into the basket volleyball-style. Onaway had a run of its own to cut the lead to 52-38, heading into the final quarter. COACH KARL Grambau brought back some of his starters to begin the fourth quarter, after using the bench liberally in the third quarter. They responded by holding off the Cardinal charge.

Karsten, who stands at the threshold of 1,000 points for his career, took over in the early going.

?He is real close. He should break that 1,000-point barrier in St. Ignace. Bret is a real hard worker. He will get that 1,000 points and we are real proud of him. He also has a lot of assists. He is a really good practice player and that is what makes him the player that he is,? Grambau said of his four-year starter. He figured in the first ten Huron points in a run. He had a breakaway lay-up to begin the run, nailed two free throws, and then had another fast break hoop off a rebound and assist from Kowalewsky. He set up Kowalewsky for a jumper, and then scored off a nice pass from Vogler on a give-and-go.

?I thought we got things going in the second half, better than we did in the first half, and got out on the break a little better,? Grambau said. ?We needed the victory and we got it. When we move the ball, we can do some really good things.? Karsten added four assists and three steals to go with his 28 points. Kowalewsky scored 13 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and blocked three shots. Nine Hurons scored in the contest. Ellenberger?s 16 points paced the Cardinals.

LAST THURSDAY, Rogers City lost a 61-60 game at home to Rudyard. The Bulldogs led 37-25 at halftime, but the Hurons scored the first 13 points of the third quarter to take the lead. The Hurons had scored the last five points of the second quarter to come from way behind. Two free throws from Karsten, after a marvelous save by Jordan Zempel, gave the Hurons a 60-59 lead. Rudyard won the game after snaring a rebound and hitting a shot as time expired. Karsten scored 18 points, hitt

ing on 8-of-11 free throws. Kowalewsky had 14 points while Scott Grulke added 11 points and Zempel scored 10.

THE JV HURONS ran to a 77-38 win over Onaway. Rogers City passed the ball well in running the floor with confidence. The Hurons led 40-18 at halftime and 56-32 at the end of three quarters. Pat Quaine scored 14 points. Joe Kasubowski, Erik Meharg, Evan Wagner, and Matt Mertz each scored eight points as 12 of the 13 players scored for coach Mike Grulke. Against Rudyard, the JV Hurons avenged their only loss of the season with a 62-59 win over the Bulldogs. A big 24-point fourth quarter keyed the win.

Tyler Szumila scored 12 of his team-high 16 points in the frame. Jordan Bellmore had 11 points and Meharg added 10. The Hurons travel to St. Ignace Friday and host Hillman Tuesday.

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