PICKFORD – The Pickford Panthers will have an opportunity to capture a second consecutive regional championship when they arrive in Cheboygan on Thursday night.
Leading 37-31 after one half of play, the Panthers took control over the final two quarters and claimed a 72-47 victory over Rudyard in an MHSAA Division 4 boys basketball regional semifinal at Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday, March 3.
Senior Gunner Bennin poured in a game-high 32 points to lead the undefeated Panthers (24-0), who outscored the Bulldogs 35-16 in the second half. Pickford also received double-digit scoring performances from Carter Yiirs (13 points), Mason Andrzejak (12 points) and Mac Collins (10). Carter Rye chipped in with five points.
“I thought we played well in the first half, Rudyard just hit some tough shots, and we got a little careless with the ball and allowed them back in it,” Pickford coach Tracy Peterson said. “I thought at halftime we shook off the nerves a little bit. We were a lot more confident offensively and started rolling.”
Jaxon Clark’s 21 points paced Rudyard (14-11), which received eight points from Ty LaLone and six from Steven Kirschner.
Pickford faces Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy (17-7) in a 7 p.m. regional championship matchup at Cheboygan on Thursday, March 5. Burt Lake NMCA earned a come-from-behind 55-47 victory at Hillman in its regional semifinal on Tuesday, March 3.
Last year, Pickford earned its first regional crown since 1992 by beating Harbor Light in Cheboygan.
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: Pickford pulls away from Rudyard, will meet NMCA in regional final
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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