Posen claims outright NSL title against Fairview; Ponik becomes all time scoring leader

It has been a boys basketball season unlike any other in Posen. Friday, the Vikings clinched an outright North Star League title with a down-to-the-wire win against Fairview, 63-56, and are now one win away from winning all their games in the conference. With another trouncing of Atlanta on Tuesday, 62-32, Posen stands at 13-0 in the NSL, with one league contest remaining at Hale.

The Vikings are 17-0 overall and remain ranked seventh in Class D. Posen earned a share of the conference title last season. With the league championship assured, the next pre-playoff goal is to finish the regular season with a 20-0 record. Three opponents remain and all have been defeated. Posen handled Hale by 21 in early January and De Tour by 46.

The biggest challenge will come a week from Friday at Cedarville. The Trojans kept the game close at Posen February 5, but the Vikings won by nine. The game might be closer in the UP. Posen coach Ron Misiak is hoping for strong fan support for that final regular season contest. The district tournament in Posen begins March 2 against Johannesburg-Lewiston.

TUESDAY’S GAME also saw a longtime scoring record fall by the way-side as senior forward Matt Ponik passed Mike Schellie on the career points list. Ponik, with his game-high 17 points, surpassed the record of 1,168 points held by Schellie since 1991. Schellie set the record 14 years ago when he passed Aaron Bruski. “When we brought him up as a freshman, we knew there was some ability, never thinking that he would be the leading scorer at Posen High,” said Misiak. “He is one of those kids that has all of the confidence in the world.”

Misiak said it’s evident in practice and on game night. “He delivers, and it doesn’t matter if it’s crunch time, or just another game, he is out there on every play on defense and offense, giving it his all,” said Misiak. Ponik, the reigning NSL MVP, came up with a key steal in the final 40 seconds to shut down Fairview, which was trailing by only three and had possession of the ball. “He (Ponik) gives it his all from the time he steps onto the court until he gets into the lockerroom,” said Misiak.

THE VIKINGS raced to a 22-8 advantage after one quarter against Atlanta and increased that lead to 40-21 by halftime, before landing the knockout punch with a 16-0 skunking in the third quarter. The Huskies’ only moral victory came when they won the fourth quarter, 11-6. Matt Szczerowski finished with 12 points, while James Sobek had 11.

All five starters were in double figures last Friday in front of a standing-room-only homecoming crowd. Fairview, which should do well in the upcoming tournament, played exceptional defense, with the Eagles getting their hands on many Posen passes and coming up with several steals. It was the Vikings’ toughest challenge on the home floor this season. Szczerowski had a put-back midway through the first quarter to give Posen a 12-7 lead, but the Eagles came back with an 8-2 run, and were ahead of the home team after the first eight minutes, 15-14. The Vikings stepped up the defensive pressure, highlighted by two blocks by Szczerowski, and several put-backs from different Posen players, and went on a 15-2 lead. The Vikings’ lead was 12 at the end of the run, but slipped below double digits to nine by halftime, 30-21. With two quarters to go, Fairview showed no signs of losing its composure to the league’s best team.

AARON HINCKA made a pair of free throws at the 5:15 mark of the third, to give the red and white a 10-point advantage, when Fairview went on an 8-0 run. Posen regained an eight-point lead on a terrific inbound pass to Szczerowski, but the Eagles continued fighting back with five straight points and were within three at 52-49 with 2:37 left in the game. Free throws by freshman Jordan Hincka and some patented Posen teamwork solidified the victory down the stretch. Fairview came up with a steal and a bucket to make the score 55-53, which was answered by an unbelievable pass from Jordan Hincka to Sobek, who knocked down the shot.

The Eagles converted a three-point play on the other end of the court with 1:05 left and were

down by one. Jordan was fouled and drained both shots to increase the Viking lead to three, 59-56, when Ponik stole the ball and started the play of the night. Ponik passed the ball to Szczerowski, who dished it to Sobek, who shot and missed. But Szczerowski got the rebound. Blanketed by players with green and yellow shirts, Szczerowski got the shot off and knocked it through for the points, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Some said, including this reporter, that it was the loudest they’ve ever heard it in that gym. The fans also started chanting, “warm up the bus” with the win in sight.

Jordan Hincka sank two more free throws to finish the scoring and wrap up the league title. Aaron Hincka had a team-high 14 points and was followed by Ponik with 13, Szczerowski with 12, Sobek with 11, and Jordan Hincka 10.