Charlevoix boys fall in Gaylord, East Jordan adds some drama in opener
GAYLORD — A new era of Charlevoix basketball with a young team opened in a tough environment Tuesday and eventually came with a loss attached.
Visiting Gaylord in a non-conference tilt, Charlevoix hung close with the Blue Devils throughout much of the first half, though eventually fell behind on a run to close the half and remained in a deficit the rest of the way in a 67-45 loss.
It came as the coaching debut for new Rayder coach Anthony Troshak with Charlevoix, a team that lost much of its scoring production from a season ago.
“I take the blame for our struggles on offense,” said Troshak. “Give (Gaylord) credit, they shot the ball well and their length was tough on defense. Overall, our effort was solid and we will use it as a learning experience.”
Gaylord led just 9-6 after the opening quarter, then the two sat tied in a 20-20 game in the second, until Gaylord ended the half on a 12-2 run and led 32-23 at halftime.
The Blue Devils later took a 52-35 advantage into the final quarter.
Charlevoix freshman Joe Gaffney led the Rayders with 22 points, which came with four 3-pointers, while Troy Nickel scored eight and Patrick Sterrett added seven.
For Gaylord, Luke Enders led with 25 points, Aidan Locker scored 16 and Luke Gelow scored 15 points.
Charlevoix (0-1) will return to action on Thursday, Dec. 15 in a trip to East Jordan (1-0).
Inland Lakes 64, Harbor Springs 62
HARBOR SPRINGS — The season opener for the Harbor Springs boys’ basketball team came with some heartbreak for the host Rams.
Welcoming Inland Lakes in a non-conference opener, the Rams succumbed to a buzzer-beating 64-62 loss to the Bulldogs, with senior guard Kaden Hansel doing the honors.
A close opening quarter had the Rams out ahead 16-15 after one, then a 14-6 advantage and balanced attack from the Rams had them ahead 30-21 at the break.
Inland Lakes eventually picked things up and trailed just 45-40 heading to the fourth, before Hansel came through in the end.
Rider Bartel led Harbor with 20 points, Braden Flynn scored 13, Jack Clancy had 12 and Tyler Piper scored 10 points.
For Inland Lakes, Hansel led with 19 points and Sam Schoonmaker scored 15 points.
Harbor Springs (0-1) will next head to Traverse City St. Francis on Thursday, Dec. 15.
East Jordan 59, Mancelona 57
MANCELONA — There was no easing into the season for the East Jordan boys’ basketball team Tuesday.
Meeting Mancelona on the road in their season opener, the Red Devils had things go down to the wire in a 59-57 victory.
Tied in a 57-57 game, East Jordan grabbed the win with just seconds remaining on a baseline out-of-bounds play, with Devon Olstrom finding Korbyn Russell for the basket, lead and win.
East Jordan coach Nate Dzwik was proud of his young team for stepping up in that moment against another young and scrappy group.
“It was a really intense game to open the season,” said Dzwik. “Mancelona, to their credit, they’re young too and they played hard. Obviously we’re young, with four sophomores and a freshman up.”
Russell and Ryder Malpass each led the Red Devils with 12 points, while Lucas Stone had 11 and Olstrom scored five.
The Red Devils trailed in a 33-27 game at the half.
East Jordan (1-0) will next welcome in Cheboygan on Thursday, Dec. 8 for a non-conference tilt and home opener.
St. Ignace 79, Boyne City 74 OT
ST. IGNACE — The Boyne City boys’ basketball team got all they could handle against a hot shooting St Ignace squad Tuesday in their season opener.
Visiting the Saints just across the bridge, the Ramblers and Saints delivered some bonus basketball in the opener with host St. Ignace taking a 79-74 victory.
Alex Calcaterra led Boyne City with 26 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Mason Wilcox had 18 point, five rebounds and five assists. Jacob Johnson also had 13 points and eight rebounds for Boyne.
The Ramblers (0-1) will next welcome in Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday, Dec. 8.
Gaylord St. Mary 69, Harbor Light 66
GAYLORD — A night after battling back and taking a tough season opening loss, the Harbor Light Christian boys’ basketball team was back to the court in another tough one Tuesday.
Meeting Gaylord St. Mary in a non-conference road trip, a back and forth night eventually had the Swordsmen on the wrong end of a 69-66 final in Gaylord.
“The kids laid their heart out on the floor tonight,” Harbor Light coach Jason Roussin said. “It was another good test from us. We can learn a lot from the game and outcome. The heart that we have at Harbor Light is one thing I enjoy coaching.”
The Swordsmen led in a 25-14 big opening quarter, then trailed in a 38-36 game at halftime and again 55-52 after three.
David Chamberlin led with 19 points and 13 rebounds for Harbor Light, while Landon Jakeway had 18 points, Truett Kruger scored 10 and Kirk Rose had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Harbor Light (0-2) keeps the tough tests coming when they open Northern Lakes Conference at home against Ellsworth (1-0) on Thursday, Dec. 8.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Charlevoix boys fall in Gaylord, East Jordan adds some drama in opener
