BATTLE CREEK — Harper Creek picked a bad time to have a bad shooting night.
In the one-and-done world of the high school basketball district tournament, Harper Creek struggled offensively and saw its season come to an end on opening night.
Harper Creek lost to Parma Western 48-33 in a Division 2 first-round game at Pennfield High School as the boys basketball district tournament opened across the state on Monday, Feb. 23.
MORE: Boys Basketball District Tournament Schedule
The 33 points was the lowest offensive output for Harper Creek all season.
“We were cold, didn’t have any rhythm,” Harper Creek coach Matt Bowling said. “We never got into a game flow and in a one-and-done situation, they outexecuted us. And we picked a bad night to not play well.”
Both teams struggled to score early as the game went into halftime with Parma Western up just 17-15. Still close after the third quarter with the Mounties leading 28-24, Parma Western took a double-digit lead on a 3-pointer by Chance Pangborn at 36-26 with 5:02 left in the fourth.
“It was an uphill climb and it felt like we were walking in mud all night,” Bowling said.
Senior guard Maddox McCarty led Harper Creek with 15 points. Overall, the Beavers had to say goodbye to four seniors as Harper Creek ends the season at 8-15.
“Really proud of our four seniors for what they have given us all season, and for what they have given us for four years. They led by example and battled all year long,” Bowling said.
Parma Western (6-17), which had beaten Harper Creek just last week in overtime, was led by Andrew Parrott with 13 points. Parma Western advances to play Marshall in the district semifinal at Pennfield on Wednesday.
Division 2 at Pennfield
In the other half of the district at Pennfield, Olivet rolled past Eaton Rapids 60-32. Olivet goes to 16-7 overall and will face host Pennfield in the district semifinal.
Division 1 at Sturgis
Lakeview saw its season come to an end with a 56-44 loss to host Sturgis in this Division 1 district opener. The Spartans finished the year on a nine-game losing streak and is 5-18.
Sturgis improves to 11-12 and advances to face Loy Norrix in the district semifinal.
In the other half of the bracket, Coldwater defeated Gull Lake 55-53. Gavin Taylor had 23 points to lead Coldwater, which goes to 12-11. The Cardinals advance to face Battle Creek Central.
Division 3 at Napoleon
Homer opened district play with a convincing 65-36 win over East Jackson. Homer led 36-21 at halftime. Brock Butler led Homer with 21 points and three assists with Wyatt Winchell adding 11 points. Homer improves to 9-14 and will see Lumen Christi in the district semifinal.
Division 3 at Galesburg-Augusta
Galesburg-Augusta ends the season at 11-11 with a 68-30 loss to Schoolcraft. Gio Evans had 10 points to lead G-A. Schoolcraft (12-10) advances to face Comstock in the district semifinal.
Division 4 at Climax-Scotts
Calhoun Christian opened the district with a 69-63 win over Bellevue. Kyle DeVisser had 30 points as Calhoun Christian improves to 9-11 and advances to face St. Philip in the district semifinal. Sawyer Bandeen and Seth Allabaugh each had 11 points for the Cougars.
In the other side of the bracket, Climax-Scotts rolled over Tekonsha 64-17 as the Panthers improve to 6-14. Climax-Scotts will see Marshall Academy in the next round. Tekonsha ends the season at 1-20.
Division 4 at Mendon
Athens finishes 7-15 with a 50-33 loss to Howardsville Christian. Howardsville Christian (11-12) advances to see host Mendon in the district semifinal.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter: @billbroderick
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Lakeview, Harper Creek fall short in boys basketball district openers
Reporting by Bill Broderick, Battle Creek Enquirer / Battle Creek Enquirer
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