Posen fends off scrappy Huron effort to remain perfect on the season

A typical sport clich? heard when Rogers City and Posen meet on the basketball court has been “you can throw out the records when these two teams meet, because anything can happen.” No doubt that’s been true in numerous matchups over the years. The records going into Tuesday’s game couldn’t be ignored, with Posen (14-0) ranked seventh in the state in Class D and on track for an undefeated season, while the Hurons were 4-11.

The way the game was going after two quarters of basketball, it looked like someone had thrown the records out. The Hurons, playing some of their most disciplined basketball of the season, not only had upset on their mind, they had it within reach. The two squads looked like they had identical records in the second quarter with seven lead changes. While Posen took a one-point advantage heading into the mid-game break, 29-28, it was Chris Paschke blazing a path to the basket for a layup at the beginning of the third quarter to give Rogers City its final lead of the night, 30-29.

“After halftime we went to the man-to-man and I told the guys they really need to get aggressive,” said Posen coach Ron Misiak. Posen outscored Rogers City 13-7 in the third, but took a comfortable 13-point lead after a 10-2 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

A barrage of Huron three-pointers late in the final stanza cut the lead to six before the Vikings could put the game away down the stretch, 65-52. The win gives Posen the season sweep over Rogers City.

HURON COACH Karl Grambau was pleased with the effort from his troops. “I thought we came out and did everything we could do,” said Grambau “We were patient and executed our game plan really well. I’m really proud of my kids.” Posen jumped out to a 9-3 lead at the midway point of the first quarter, but the Hurons slowed the game down, passing the ball between six to 10 times before attacking. Grambau’s plan was to limit Posen’s possessions. “That was the game plan, to lull us to sleep and then cut to the back door,” said Misiak.

“Posen rebounds so well,” said Grambau. “The more possessions is to their advantage. Defensively, I thought we did a heck of a job.” The score at the end of the first quarter was 15-9 when the Hurons started striking from outside.

JUSTIN WILBERT hit a trey to trim the lead to three, 15-12, and Chris Santini ripped the net for another three-ball and a tie game. James Sobek fired off two of his 15 points to give Posen the lead back, but Bret Karsten torched a three himself to give Rogers City an 18-17 advantage. Sobek hit two free throws to seize the lead, but Rogers City had the stroke from downtown as Charlie Smolinski got into the act for a 21-19 score.

The lead was the Vikings’ when Hincka and Matt Szczerowski scored, but Paschke came back with a bucket to tie the game at 23. Lead change number five came from a jumper by Smolinski, but was answered by Hincka, and from free throws by Jason Romel. Smolinski came back with a basket to tie the game at 27, and the go-ahead score came from Austin Fairbanks.

The sixth lead change of the quarter put Rogers City up by one, 28-27, but Sobek made a pretty assist to Hincka to give the Vikings the one-point l

ead going into the break, 29-28. “I don’t think the intensity was lacking,” said Misiak. “In the lockerroom we were really fired up. You have to give Karl and his crew credit for doing a nice job.”

Grambau was equally complimentary. “Posen has a great basketball team and we wish them the best of luck in the state tournament,” he said. “They have great kids and they are well coached.”

Hincka had the only double double with a game-high 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Ponik finished with 16. Santini led the Hurons with 11 points, while Paschke had 10.

The Hurons next action is Tuesday at Sault Ste. Marie. Paced by 19 points from Ponik, the Vikings blasted Arenac Eastern 66-35 on Friday to improve their undefeated North Star League record to 11-0. Next up is Friday’s huge homecoming contest against Fairview, which is considered the last hurdle toward an undefeated NSL season, followed by another home game Tuesday against Atlanta.

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