CHEBOYGAN – Just find a way.
Because in the postseason, crazy things do happen.
For the Cheboygan Chiefs, they took everything and then some from a Grayling team that was hungry to deliver a stunner in front of the home Cheboygan crowd.
But just when it looked like the Chiefs might suffer a shocking loss, they dug in, picked up a couple of critical defensive stops, and kept their season alive with a 37-35 overtime victory over the Vikings in an MHSAA Division 2 boys basketball district semifinal at Cheboygan on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
“Survive and advance. That’s what it is, survive and advance,” Cheboygan coach Jason Friday said. “We certainly didn’t have our best game offensively, but good teams find a way to win when they don’t have their best game. Credit to Grayling. They played very physical and aggressive, and we just found a way.”
Even after a poor offensive half, the Chiefs (17-6) only trailed 17-12 at the break and were tied at 21 after three. Then came a big stretch for the Chiefs, who started the fourth quarter on a 12-0 run that was fueled by back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers from Gavin Smith, Andrew Kiefer and Landon Gahn. With just over six minutes left, Cheboygan was firmly in control, but the resilient Vikings (8-16) refused to quit as they countered with a 12-0 spurt of their own, sending the game to OT.
Leading 37-35 with 6.5 seconds remaining, Cheboygan failed to grab a rebound after a Grayling miss from the free throw line, which gave the Vikings a chance to either tie it or win it. But just as one of Grayling’s shooters looked poised to get a three off, Cheboygan senior Andrew Kiefer came flying in and blocked the shot into the crowd, while another late stop ended the game and sent the Chiefs to the district final for a second consecutive year.
“This is something big that we really want to win,” Gavin Smith said. “We’re not trying to lose again, so we’re going to lock in and hopefully get the job done on Friday.”
Smith was Cheboygan’s scoring leader, netting a game-high 14 points, while Carson Kiefer tallied eight. Andrew Kiefer and Landon Gahn each had six, and Jack Ekdahl chipped in with three.
Myles Mead scored 11 points for the Vikings, who received nine points from Matt Petitti.
Cheboygan will host Ogemaw Heights (9-12) in a 7 p.m. district final on Friday, Feb. 27. The Falcons defeated Kalkaska 55-52 in the second semifinal on Wednesday.
NMCA clips Alanson, will face H-L in rubber match
HARBOR SPRINGS – Get ready for Burt Lake NMCA-Harbor Light, Round 3.
Fueled by senior Joshua Ferraiuolo – who reached 2,000 career points – the Northern Michigan Christian Academy Eagles cruised to a 63-36 victory over Alanson in an MHSAA Division 4 boys basketball district semifinal at Harbor Light on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Ferraiuolo tallied 30 points, seven rebounds and two assists for NMCA, which received double-doubles from Jeremiah Tucker (10 points, 15 rebounds, five assists), Lee Chatfield (10 points, 10 rebounds, five assists), and Trey Fosmore (10 points, 15 rebounds). Levi Schepperley chipped in with three points.
“On a night that was hard to get our offense rolling, I’m glad our defense showed up to start the game,” NMCA coach Josh Ferraiuolo said. “I felt like we did a good job controlling the boards and the game. Credit to Alanson, they played hard and with pride. They made us earn it every step of the way. Shoutout to Josh, scoring his (2000th) varsity point tonight. Everyone close to us knows how much work went into that, give glory to God, we are proud of you. Looking forward to the district final on Friday.”
The win for the Eagles (15-7) sets up a district final with Harbor Light (19-4), which beat Petoskey St. Michael 66-28 on Wednesday. The game takes place at 7 p.m. at Harbor Light on Friday, Feb. 25.
In the previous two matchups this season, the Eagles beat the Swordsmen in overtime in January, while Harbor Light topped NMCA 63-60 in the Northern Lakes Conference title game on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Hornets fall to dominant Pickford in semifinals
PICKFORD – When you face a team as powerful and dominant as Pickford, it’s awfully difficult to win, especially in the postseason.
For the Pellston Hornets, they simply struggled to keep up with the undefeated Panthers, who rolled to a 71-28 victory in an MHSAA Division 4 boys basketball district semifinal on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
“You can see why they’re undefeated and a top team in the state,” Pellston coach Jared Anderson said. “The move the ball phenomenally well and move their feet well on defense, so it makes it hard to get to the rim.”
Senior Josh Grondin finished with a team-high 15 points in his final game for the Hornets (9-15), who fell behind 30-5 after one quarter and could never recover. Lucas Livermore tallied four points, while Sam O’Neil scored three, and Connor Keller, Cayden Stewart and Donovan O’Rourke had two apiece.
“I thought Josh (Grondin) did a good job of being aggressive and scoring despite the tough defense and Sam (O’Neil) battling for several rebounds,” Anderson said.
Paced by a game-high 22 points from senior Gunner Bennin, Pickford (22-0) now travels to St. Ignace for a 6 p.m. district title contest on Friday, Feb. 27. Carter Yiirs tallied 13 points, while Mason Andrzejak netted 10 and Mac Collins scored eight.
Meanwhile, Anderson praised his Hornets for an improved campaign compared to recent years.
“I thought it was a great first season (as coach),” Anderson said. “I can’t thank the seniors enough for a great year, sticking with me through the ups and downs of this season, and everything they’ve done for the program over the past few years. Josh (Grondin), Connor (Keller), Lucas (Livermore) and Donovan (O’Rourke) will all be missed next year, for sure. We’ll take a couple weeks off, then I’m excited to get back at it with some offseason workouts with next year’s group.”
Inland Lakes bows out to East Jordan in semis
MANCELONA – There was a chance in the fourth quarter, but it just got away from Inland Lakes.
Aiming to pull a massive postseason upset, the Bulldogs struggled down the stretch and saw their season end in a 59-36 loss to East Jordan in an MHSAA Division 3 boys basketball district semifinal at Mancelona on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
“We came out ready to play, and I thought our boys fought hard,” Inland Lakes coach Bryan Newman said. “Credit to East Jordan. They are a pretty good basketball team, and they kept us from getting into any type of rhythm.”
Sophomore Zander Robinson’s 15 points led by the Bulldogs (15-9), who saw senior Mason Green record 13 points in his final game with the program.
“I am extremely proud of the growth this group showed this season and the leadership that developed from it,” Newman said.
East Jordan (21-2) faces host Mancelona (21-2) in a 7 p.m. district final on Friday, Feb. 27.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Kiefer’s block saves Cheboygan boys in OT, Ferraiuolo hits 2,000 points
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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