Sportsbeat – Much to be proud about
by Peter Jakey
The Viking boy?s basketball team couldn?t have played any harder, or with more heart in a disappointing overtime loss to Cedarville. That?s the second time they had Cedarville on the ropes and couldn?t land the final blow to put the game away. The boys tried to give head coach Steve Hentkowski an unforgettable birthday present, but Cedarville?s clutch shots and Posen?s missed opportunities left many of the Posen faithful with an empty feeling as they left the LaSalle High School gym. That said, it was one of the most exciting basketball games I?ve ever been a part of at that level.
It brought back memories of the quarterfinal game in Sault. Ste. Marie when the Vikings took down undefeated Watersmeet in overtime to earn a trip to East Lansing. While there were some free throws missed, as well as some rough plays in overtime that went Cedarville?s way, coming that close to knocking off a senior-laden Cedarville team was a tremendous team accomplishment. Heck, just before the opening tip, someone commented to me that they hoped Posen would keep it close and not get blown out.
Hentkowski?s squad played with poise and confidence, and it became quickly apparent the Vikings were not there to turn in a ?let?s not get embarrassed performance;? they were there to win. It was easy to see the effort, especially the way they broke Cedarville?s press. I believe there was only one time the Vikes couldn?t get the ball past the timeline in five seconds, and it might have been a quick five. The players used their quickness to keep the ball moving and made sharp passes. Even Tyler Kuffel, who played tough down low before fouling out in the fourth, was involved in the press break. That?s Cedarville?s bread-and-butter, and the Vikings took that part of the game right away from the Trojans. As the game progressed, the boys seemed to answer every challenge. Junior speedster David Kerr went down with an injury in the third, and while he was out, the Vikings retook the lead they had just lost for the first time all night. Kerr came back and fought through the pain.
Then in the fourth, with Kuffel on the bench for good, and Posen down again by three with about three to go, something welled up inside these guys, much like the district game when they were down by 17. They seemed to find a way. The Vikings also fought hard against Cedarville?s 6? 8? center Connor McLeod, a shoe-in for all state, who made the biggest
If only: more free throws weren?t missed in the final couple of minutes; Cedarville didn?t make two clutch threes in the last 1:20; Hentkowski?s pass to Kerr with less than 20 seconds had connected; one of six offensive overtime possessions were converted into points; or the officials had whistled a foul under Posen?s basket at a critical moment late in overtime, the result could been different for the 23-2 Vikes.
Going forward, Posen will have the senior-laden group for the 2011-12 season and have a great shot at returning to the regional level next year. They will miss senior Shane Hentkowski, who did more leading on the floor than on the stat sheet. He missed a couple of free throws at the end of regulation, but he also came up with a key steal, assist and layup when his team needed it down the stretch. That can easily be forgotten, but shouldn?t. Posen?s great season didn?t end on a high note, but the boys sure should be proud of themselves for their effort. They played with pride, and made their community proud.