Alcona, Rudyard top Huron hoopers
Cold shooting and turnovers cost the Hurons as they lost 65-48 in Alcona Tuesday. The Hurons (0-3) fell behind 16-2 at the end of the first quarter and never threatened the Tigers. Rogers City committed 26 turnovers, 16 coming in the first half. “We didn’t take care of the ball very well,” said coach Karl Grambau. Getting the ball in the basket posed a problem, as the Hurons hit 17-of-46 from the field.
THE HURONS were able to cut into the Alcona lead, and trailed 29-19 at halftime before the Tigers came on strong in the third quarter. A 26-9 Alcona swing in the third quarter made the score 55-28 heading into the final eight minutes of play. “We had a good second quarter, but we are young and inexperienced and show it at times,” Grambau said. Chris Santini paced the Hurons with 12 points. Charley Smolinski scored seven and Jeff Cornett added six.
LAST FRIDAY, the Hurons erased a 17-point deficit but lost, 61-60, to Rudyard. The Bulldogs jumped out to an 18-6 first quarter lead and led 29-17 at halftime. Rogers City had closed the lead to 43-38 at the end of the third quarter. Once the Hurons had cut into the lead, the score went back and forth for much of the fourth quarter.
“Rudyard jumped out to an early lead and we battled back. We were down by as many as 17 in the game. We cut the lead to one point with about five minutes left, Then we were down by nine with four minutes left, and up by three with a minute to go,” Grambau said.
The Hurons had a one-point lead and were at the free throw line with 8.9 seconds left but missed the free throw. Rudyard rebounded, moved quickly up the court and a player hit two free throws to go up 61-60.
THE HURONS called time out to set up a play. But Chris Paschke’s shot at the buzzer just missed and the Hurons were handed a loss. “We played a great second half and if we can play with that kind of intensity for a complete game good things will happen. We are working well together as a team,” Grambau said. Leadin
THE JVS improved to 3-0 with wins in Rudyard and Alcona. In Rudyard, the Hurons led 30-20 at halftime and held on for a 59-54 win over the Bulldogs. Andy Tulgestke’s 15 points led the team. Zach Karsten added 12 and Scott Kowalewsky added eight. IN ALCONA, a 15-2 swing in the fourth quarter sparked a 42-36 win. Trailing 34-27 after three quarters, the Hurons started hitting shots, while shutting down the Tigers’ offense. Tulgestke scored 17 points in the win.
The Hurons face a tough stretch with games with Alpena at home Saturday, at Cheboygan Tuesday and then Cheboygan at home after the holiday break.