Hurons erase 10-point lead to win 60-53
by Richard Lamb, Advance Editor
A fierce press and a determined offensive surge propelled the Hurons (2-1) to a 60-53 win over Alcona Tuesday. Coach Jesse Streich, in his home debut, saw his team come from a 24-14 deficit in the second quarter, taking the lead for good in the fourth quarter.
How to solve a troubling Alcona press and how to stop the Tiger fast break became goals of the second half for Streich. He talked to his team at halftime and came up with a solution on both sides of the ball. ?We talked about playing ball and we made some adjustments on their press, which I think won the game for us,? Streich said. The defense found a way to shut down Alcona sharp-shooter Spencer Ellis, who had 15 points in the first half and none in the second.
SENIOR GUARD Erik Meharg, playing on the point and on the wing, sparked a third-quarter rally by scoring 11 points in the quarter. His three-pointer, off an assist from Pat Quaine, and free throw moments later, got the scoring going for the Hurons in the quarter. Meharg?s steal and assist to set up Chris Vogelheim?s bucket, cut the Tiger lead to 38-35.
Meharg?s tip-in at the 2:10 mark of the third quarter and his three-pointer following a Chris Waibel steal one minute later, gave the Hurons a 42-39 lead. Alcona scored the next four points of the quarter to lead 43-42 heading into the last eight minutes. The lead changed hands four times in the fourth quarter with Jordan Bellmore hitting on a hook shot with 1:21 left in the quarter to give Rogers City its final lead. Meharg hit one-of-three free throws and Quaine hit all four of his free throw attempts down the stretch to ice the win.
?We needed a game on our home gym. This was big for us,? Streich said. ?After the first two games on the road we didn?t get a lot of shots to fall and tonight was a big game for us.? He said there is work to be done on defense and free throws, as Rogers City hit on 13-of-20 from the line. ?I?m very pleased. Our boys hustle and they don?t give up,? Streich said. Meharg scored 14 points, had six assists and three steals. Vogelheim had 11 points, Evan Wagner had 10 points and five rebounds and Quaine added nine points for the Hurons. LAST FRIDAY, a long drive to the Upper Peninsula ended with a Huron loss to Sault Ste. Marie.
Two baskets by Wagner gave Rogers City a brief 4-3 lead, but a 9-0 Soo run gave the home team the lead for good. The Hurons trailed 21-6 at the end of the first quarter and 39-22 at the half. Bellmore?s free throw and three baskets by Meharg cut the Blue Devil lead to 23-13 with 5:17 left in the half. A 10-2 Soo spurt made the lead grow again before
Meharg led the team with 18 points, four assists and two steals while Wagner had 10 points and Waibel added six points and five rebounds. Bellmore had seven rebounds to lead in that category. The Hurons are in St. Ignace Friday, as the varsity girls host St. Ignace at Rogers City High School. THE JUNIOR varsity led 41-26 after the third quarter and won 53-42 over Alcona. Tuesday Coach Chris Shay?s troops pressed and ran their way to a 9-5 lead after the first quarter and a 25-14 halftime lead.
Chad Karsten had 12 points, 10 in the third quarter, and Devin Hilla added 11 points, seven in the first quarter, to pace the scoring. Austin Brege added nine for the Hurons. Last Thursday?s game with Sault Ste. Marie, a scheduled junior varsity doubleheader, was canceled. No makeup date has been announced.