Determined to finish basketball career with a bang, Bryce Kurncz leading way for surging DeWitt
DeWITT — For the longest time, Bryce Kurncz was certain he was going to play basketball in college.
Things have shifted over the past two years, with the DeWitt senior recently signing to play football at Michigan Tech.
So with basketball not being part of his future plans, Kurncz is trying to make the most of his remaining time on the court for the Panthers. And his play has helped DeWitt become one of the hottest teams in Greater Lansing.
The latest instance came Friday as Kurncz played a big role in the Panthers' 68-37 CAAC Blue victory over Grand Ledge, which has been receiving votes outside the top 10 in Division 1 in the Associated Press state rankings.
The win was the seventh in eight games for DeWitt, which avenged its four-point road loss to the Comets in December.
Kurncz scored 26 points as the Panthers (11-4, 4-3) continued their climb in the CAAC Blue, moving into a third-place tie with Grand Ledge (10-4, 4-3).
"I'm trying to lead (this team) as best as I can," Kurncz said. "I'm going to play football next year so this will be the end of my basketball career so I'm just trying to make a statement as I go out."
Kurncz is in the midst of a big senior season. He ranks as one of the area's top scorers and last month became the fifth player in DeWitt boys basketball history to reach 1,000 career points.
As impressive as it has been for DeWitt coach Bill Flannery to watch what Kurncz has accomplished during his varsity basketball career, what he's done behind the scenes has been just as notable.
"It's the extra work he puts in the gym, it's the grades that he gets in the classroom," Flannery said. "That's how he leads our group as a captain and through the trials and tribulations of a long basketball season. (The stuff) that nobody gets to see — I'm more proud of him for it."
While Kurncz has made plenty of noise and fueled an early 14-0 run Friday, his teammates have stepped up their games as well since the new year started.
Adam Flannery has also shined and was in double figures Friday with 15 points. Zach Nevison knocked down three 3-pointers and added nine points as the Panthers handed Grand Ledge a second straight loss by more than 15 points.
"Coming into this we know how tough Grand Ledge had been playing," Flannery said. "We knew it was going to be a tough game. To be able to put this kind of game together felt really special."
Teddy Williams finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds for the Comets.
Boys basketball roundup: :Waverly, Okemos stay atop CAAC Blue, state-ranked Laingsburg, Olivet remain unbeaten
Girls basketball roundup: DeWitt bounces back with victory over Grand Ledge, Haslett stays unbeaten
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Bryce Kurncz leads DeWitt boys basketball past Grand Ledge
