CHEBOYGAN — After a lopsided win at Grayling on Friday night, the Cheboygan girls basketball team had to get some sleep then return to the court for a Saturday home clash with Johannesburg-Lewiston.
While the Cardinals kept themselves within striking distance, the Chiefs brought great energy, executed nicely, and captured a 39-28 victory on Saturday, Jan. 31.
“I’m really impressed with our maturity and mental toughness to be able to do that,” Cheboygan coach Walter Hanson said. “To be able to come back when we played (on Friday night) and play well against this team (J-L) it was good. They’re scrappy and physical, and to keep our composure and to keep playing as hard as we should be throughout the season, it was nice.”
The Cardinals started quickly by opening an early lead, but the Chiefs responded with a better second quarter and took a 19-11 advantage into the break.
Then came a solid third quarter for the Chiefs, who dished the ball to sophomore center Diem Schley, who scored six of her team-high 11 points in the period. By the end of three, Cheboygan led by 11.
“The girls did a fantastic job of getting Diem the ball,” Hanson said. “Diem’s been tough in the post throughout practices, and I’ve been noticing it in games. She knows how to position herself to get a nice look at the hoop, especially 1-on-1, so I was confident she could do some good stuff down in the post.”
Cloee Rupp matched Schley by netting 11 points, while Addison Ptasnik added nine points, Jaelyn Wheelock scored five, Olivia Patrick had two, and Elise Markham added one.
Collectively, Cheboygan’s defense overwhelmed J-L for much of the afternoon.
“Honestly, it’s not the X’s and O’s. It’s just the girls going out there and getting after it,” Hanson said. “They know how to cause disruptions and when to jump passes, when not to, and it’s fun to watch.”
In Cheboygan’s 54-23 win at Grayling, the Chiefs were led by Rupp’s 16 points, while Ptasnik and Schley each finished with 10, Patrick had seven, and Wheelock netted six. Markham chipped in with three.
“I thought this was one of our best games,” Hanson said. “We moved the ball around well and made some good passes. We ran our press and press breakers well. Diem had a great game. She made some key shots, played great defense, and rebounded well. Patrick hit some nice shots and made great decisions all night. Wheelock had some really tough and-1’s at the rim and did well adjusting to everything we threw at her. Cloee was everywhere. She was getting steals, rebounds, and making awesome passes.”
In the junior varsity game, Sophia Tamlyn scored 14 points and Adele Schulz tallied nine for the Chiefs, who beat Joburg 44-14.
Cheboygan (6-5, 3-3 Northern Shores Conference) faces Elk Rapids at home on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Schley nets 21, Chiefs win at Grayling
GRAYLING – The Cheboygan boys also dealt with a back-to-back slate of games this week.
But playing two nights in a row didn’t seem to faze the Chiefs, who were led by junior Nolan Schley’s 21 points in a 58-41 victory in Grayling on Friday, Jan. 30.
“I thought we had some unforced turnovers in that first quarter, and we really cut down on those and slowly, methodically just built a lead,” Cheboygan coach Jason Friday said. “It was nothing flashy. I thought we defended very well, especially after the first quarter. (Grayling) had five points in the second quarter, so we did well defensively. The boys had a great second half.”
Joining Schley in double figures were Carson Kiefer, who netted 11 points, and Gavin Smith, who scored 10. Andrew Kiefer recorded nine.
“We had a great crowd there – it was almost like a district feel,” Friday said. “You had a varsity and varsity game, and I had (assistant coach Scott Hancock) with me in the locker room before the game, which typically his team is playing, and there was just a little bit more energy in the air, which was fun for the boys and fun for everybody with that varsity-varsity doubleheader.”
Landon Gahn had four points, Jason Pauley added two, and Jerzi Mix tallied one for the Chiefs.
Cheboygan (12-3, 8-2 Northern Shores Conference) travels to face Elk Rapids on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
Harke scores four, Chiefs beat Grosse Pointe North
DETROIT – Junior Daniel Harke scored four goals for the Cheboygan hockey team, which wrapped up an excellent weekend by earning a 6-3 victory over Grosse Pointe North on Saturday, Jan. 31.
Harke’s excellent game consisted of two first-period goals and two more in the third for the Chiefs (5-15-1), who received a goal apiece from Braxton Esper and Hunter Belmas. Cheboygan players picking up assists were Brody McGovern (two), Carter Hudson (two), Kaden Pellenz, Alex Hudson, Cooper Gady, Esper and Belmas. Jackson Bancroft was Cheboygan’s winning goaltender, making 36 stops.
“Both games this weekend were great to see,” Cheboygan coach Seth Duncan said. “The first game was good to see some success, but the second game impressed me even more. We saw some adversity early, but were able to come back and ultimately close the game out.”
Cheboygan beat New Boston Huron 8-0 on Friday, Jan. 30. No stats were available from the contest.
Cheboygan returns to action when it hosts Big Rapids at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5.
Ferraiuolo, Fosmore pace NMCA at Alanson
ALANSON – Joshua Ferraiuolo finished with 24 points, five assists, five steals and four rebounds for the Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy boys basketball team, which earned a 72-35 victory at Alanson on Friday, Jan. 30.
The Eagles were also lifted by a double-double night from Trey Fosmore, who registered 21 points and 13 rebounds, and Jeremiah Tucker, who also recorded a double-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals. Lee Chatfield added 10 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and six steals.
“Very pleased with another complete game by the guys,” NMCA coach Josh Ferraiuolo said. “We knew Alanson would show up and play hard, and they did. I felt we put a balanced product on the floor and controlled the game the whole night. I really like how we shared the ball, and kept everyone involved and invested. Always great to get a conference win. Shout out to Trey and Lee — great stat lines from them.”
Jay Springer rounded out Burt Lake NMCA with six points, six rebounds and two steals.
NMCA (11-3, 5-0 Northern Lakes Conference East) hosts Wolverine on Monday, Feb. 2.
NMCA girls fall at Gaylord St. Mary
GAYLORD – The Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy girls basketball team suffered a 49-30 loss at Gaylord St. Mary in a non-conference matchup on Saturday, Jan. 31.
Lauren Ferraiuolo finished with 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Eagles, who received 10 points from Isabel Hoffmeyer. Shanna Ferraiuolo added three points and three rebounds.
“I’m very pleased and proud of how hard these girls worked all game long against one of the best teams in our area,” NMCA coach Josh Ferraiuolo said. “I took this game knowing it was going to hurt but also knowing it would give us a chance to improve, and we did. Thank you, team, for answering the bell and representing our program well. Shout out to Lauren (Ferraiuolo) for leading us while being under duress the whole game. Also, shout out to Isabel (Hoffmeyer). The improvement is quite amazing, great game from her.”
NMCA (10-4, 7-0 Northern Lakes Conference East) hosts Wolverine on Monday, Feb. 2.
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: Cheboygan basketball, hockey wins pace sports roundup for Jan. 30-31
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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