Hurons’ season ends at regional with loss to Charlevoix
A hot third quarter provided the Charlevoix Rayders the push to get by a determined Huron team, 56-46, in the regional semifinal game in Petoskey. The Hurons peaked at the right time of the year, winning nine of their last 12 games to finish the season at 15-9 with a district championship. ?We gave it everything we had out there and that?s what it is all about,;it just wasn?t meant to be,? said Huron coach Karl Grambau, who won his second district title in five years.
The Hurons started out confident and aggressive, knowing tough defense would be needed to stop the run-and-gun Rayders. Steals by Justin Wilbert, Chris Santini, and Bret Karsten, along with two blocked shots by sophomore center Scott Kowalewsky, helped the Hurons out to a 15-13 lead after one quarter of play. Austin Fairbanks fed Santini for a lay-up, Karsten hit a short jumper, and then Justin Senff hit a free throw to give the Hurons an 11-7 lead with 1:46 left in the first quarter. The Hurons went up 15-10 after a banker by Fairbanks and two free throws from Kowalewsky.
WITH THE Rayders always looking to run, the Hurons were up to the task by quickly dropping into a 2-3 zone. Charlevoix countered with accurate shooting from the outside, taking the lead at the 1:55 mark. With the score tied at 19-19, Grambau decided to go for the last shot of the half. The Hurons weaved the ball on the perimeter between Wilbert, Karsten and Santini until getting the ball to Kowalewsky. With two defenders in his face, Kowalewsky buried a shot from the corner with three seconds left. But the Hurons didn?t get the last shot, as Charlevoix quickly inbounded the ball to junior guard Tyler Haske at half court where he launched a shot that hit nothing but net, giving the Rayders a 22-21 lead, and momentum heading into the second half.
KOWALEWSKY, WHO finished with nine points and nine rebounds, regained the lead for the Hurons on the first possession before Charlevoix?s outside game took over. Led by the outside shooting of junior guard Matt Kautz, who finished with 15 points, and sophomore forward Dustin Dibble, who led all scorers with 22 points. Charlevoix l
The Hurons made one more run as Kowalewsky hit a banker and then junior guard Andy Tulgestke stole the inbound pass, and hit a shot to cut the lead to six at 52-46 with 43 seconds left. But that would be the last points from the Hurons for the season, as Charlevoix hit four free throws to seal the win.
The game ended the high school basketball careers of Santini, Fairbanks, Senff, and Wilbert, who were praised by their coach. ?We have a great group of kids who work really well together. I?m really proud of them. The seniors did a great job,? he said. Wilbert led the Hurons with 15 points, Kowalewsky scored nine, Karsten had eight, Fairbanks seven, and Santini added four. Charlevoix (16-8) goes on to play the winner of Wednesday?s game between Traverse City St. Francis and McBain.