Rogers City wins season-opener in a close one with Onaway

Presque Isle County had its first varsity basketball action of the 2015-16 season in Onaway and it proved to be well worth the price of admission.

First off, the opponent was rival Rogers City. The intensity level is always higher when these two schools meet and it does not matter what sport.

Taylor Ehrke boxes out Ally Streich as the girls' basketball season got underway. (Photo by Peter Jakey)
Taylor Ehrke boxes out Ally Streich as the girls’ basketball season got underway. (Photo by Peter Jakey)

Second, it was a close game until the final buzzer.

It was a first game filled with jitters and turnovers.

The score was 7-6 Onaway after one before Rogers City went on an 8-0 run through most of the second. A buzzer beater before the end of the half by Cardinal guard Kennedy Crawford, cut Rogers City’s lead to 17-13. The Hurons built on that early in the third with a 7-0 run for a 28-17 lead.

Onaway got back in the game with five points from Jade Galer, including a three, to make it 30-27 Hurons after three.

Kayla Rabeau scored six of her game-leading 17 points in the fourth quarter to keep Rogers City out in front.

With 21 seconds left in regulation, Onaway had possession and a chance to tie with a three. Taylor Fleming stole the ball for the Hurons and scored on the other end for the final score, 41-36.

“We were happy with the outcome,” said Rogers Ci

ty coach Gary Bisson. “Both teams played hard. Basically, it was a matter of who was going to get the ball on the last possession. A game like this, you don’t want to lose.”

“A couple of things that hurt us — we were six-for 19 from the free-throw line,” said Onaway coach Marty Mix. Including, one-for-five in one-on-one situations.

“We did a lot of things correctly and we had some growing bumps we will have to get through,” added Mix. Galer scored 10 for the Cards, all in the second half.

Rogers City is at Fairview Friday, while Onaway is home next Friday against Bellaire.