Posen far more respectable the second time around

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

The Posen boys’ basketball team has made nice strides since beginning of the new year. They’ve been earning high grades for their hustle, and nowhere was it more evident when comparing the first game of the month with the last.

The Vikings (3-8, 3-6) started 2009 with a 46-point blow out loss at Fairview. They came back with a better showing last Friday against Fairview (10-1 8-1) in a 66-43 loss.

“I thought our team competed well tonight, considering the first time we played them,” said head coach Steve Hentkowski. “I am pretty proud of the way they responded tonight.”

Posen played better, but so did arguably the league’s best player, Jubal Handrich, who dropped in 41 points in Posen’s gym.

Handrich had a clear size-advantage that Posen couldn?t contend with. RIGHT FROM the opening tip, the Vikings were going to give Fairview a better run for their money. Late in the second quarter, Posen trailed by only seven, 28-21, following a three-pointer by Shane Hentkowski and a field goal by Scott Couture.

The score at the half was 30-21. The Eagles would open their lead in the third and keep control the rest of the way.

“We had too many breakdowns in the third and fourth quarter,” said Hentkowski. His squad at 20 turnovers, which is around the season average. Three Vikings

scored in double figures. Aaron Romel, Hentkowski and Couture all had 10 each.

Hentkowski was pleased with the effort from freshman Jerome Ciarkowski, who had five rebounds, two assists and one turnover.

Hentkowski also played the point guard position for the first time this season, giving the Vikings a different offensive look.

THE J.V. slipped to 5-6 with a 63-61 overtime loss to Fairview. Nine of their 11 games have been decided by five points or less.

Tyler Kuffel had a game-high 23 points and 11 rebounds, while David Kerr put in 17. Travis Hirschman collected 10 rebounds.

Next on the schedule was Cedarville Wednesday (past press time). The homecoming game is Friday against Arenac Eastern.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.