Hurons win on opening night; host Rudyard Friday

Powered by a 19-0 run in the third quarter, the Hurons ran by the Tigers 57-29 in Hillman Tuesday as the boys basketball season got underway. The Hurons led 22-13 at halftime then came out on fire, building a 41-13 lead before Hillman managed to sink a free throw with 1:05 left in the third period. The run saw a hustling Huron defense limiting the Tigers to just one shot on most possessions, and a smart transition game featuring good ball movement between the players. Senior forward Justin Wilbert scored eight of his game-high 14 points in the third quarter, the first coming off a great pass by senior guard Chris Santini on a fast break. Moments later, Wilbert scored again on a layup.

The next trip down the court, sophomore guard Bret Karsten?s pass, after a steal by senior center Justin Senff, set up Wilbert for another layup, stretching the Huron lead to 31-13 with 4:22 left in the third quarter. Wilbert scored the next Huron points moments later on a jumper in the paint. Santini?s three-pointer, and a bucket from sophomore center Scott Kowalewsky at the two minute mark made it 38-13. Kowalewsky snared an offensive rebound, banked in a jumper off the left boards, was fouled, and hit the free throw to end the scoring run.

MOMENTS LATER, Kowalewsky would leave the game after crashing hard trying to block a Hillman shot. He would not return to the game and his status for Friday?s home opener with Rudyard is unknown. The Hurons ended the third quarter leading 43-14 after out-scoring the Tigers 21-1 in the third quarter. ?In the first half we had some opportunities and missed some shots, so in the third quarter we came out and made some shots,? said coach Karl Grambau after the game. Hillman would cut into the Hurons? lead in the final eight minutes, but the third-quarter spurt sealed the win.

THE HURONS started off slowly, allowing open looks for Hillman and giving up several offensive rebounds to the Tigers. Hillman scored the first four points, before Austin Fairbanks banked in a short shot, and led 7-2 with 5:50 left in the first quarter. Then the Hurons scored the next 11 points to lead 13-7 at the end of the first quarter. When Hill

man cut the lead to 14-12 early in the first, the Huron running game turned things around. Andy Tulgestke?s pass to a streaking Wilbert got the Hurons a basket and momentum. That began an 8-0 run for the Hurons, capped by Kowalewsky?s two free throws. Rogers City led 22-13 at halftime. Wilbert had 14 points and six rebounds while Santini scored nine points. Kowalewsky had seven points and eight rebounds for the Hurons while Karsten scored nine points and added seven assists. ?It was a good first game and a good one to win on the road, coming into Friday with a good Straits Area Conference match-up,? Grambau said.

THE JV HURONS outscored Hillman 21-8 in the fourth quarter to score a 58-50 comeback win over the Tigers. Rogers City trailed 40-37 but rallied for the win on the strength of 17 points by Scott Grulke. Jordan Zempel scored 15, and Cody Wirgau added 11. The Hurons led 11-4 after the first quarter and 26-20 at halftime before their lead disappeared in the third quarter. The Hurons host Rudyard Friday with the JV game tipping off at 6 p.m. and the varsity to follow. Rogers City hosts Alcona Tuesday and plays at Brimley December 16.