Traverse City Record-Eagle

Sports

February 23, 2012

Roundup: Benzie clinches Northwest

Leland's upset of Lakers gives Huskies at least a title share

FROM STAFF REPORTS ----

BENZONIA — Benzie Central defeated Kingsley 57-34 to move within a game of clinching at least a share of the Northwest Conference boys basketball title Wednesday.

Then they clinched that share later in the evening when Leland upset Glen Lake in double overtime.

The Huskies (11-6, 11-1 NWC) travel Friday to Buckley with a change to sew up a share of the crown. Benzie — which then hosts Mesick next Thursday — has a two-game lead over Glen Lake with two league games left. The Huskies beat both of their last two opponents earlier this season, but neither was by double digits.

Cory Taylor led Benzie with 23 points, while Jeff Whaley grabbed 13 rebounds and Corey Bach had eight points.

Jack Ocobock led the Stags with 10 points.

BOYS HOOPS

Leland      63 Glen Lake      57

Leland shocked Glen Lake in double overtime, outlasting the Lakers 63-57 in a pivotal Northwest Conference game that handed a share of the league title to Benzie Central.

The game was 45-45 after regulation.

A.J. Whittaker scored 20 for the Comets (11-6, 7-5 NWC), while Ian Duvall added 12 and Dylan Jolliffe 11.

Mike O'Brien scored 14 of his 198 points int he fourth quarter as Glen Lake rallied to force overtime, but fouled out in the first overtime.

Glen Lake (11-6, 9-3 NWC) travels to Mesick on Friday. The Lakers beat Leland by 20 in their Jan. 30 meeting.

Suttons Bay      68 Buckley      55

Suttons Bay established an early 15-5 lead before notching a 68-55 Northwest Conference win over Buckley.

Greg Banks paved the way for the Norsemen, nearly notching a triple-double. He ended with 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Cameron Tarlton added 15 points and Mason Darling 14.

Evan Chalker led Buckley with 25 points, and Jake Larson added 14.

The Norsemen (11-6) travel Friday to Frankfort. Suttons Bay won in overtime the first time the two met this season.

Bellaire      67 Mancelona      36

Bellaire moved within a game of clinching its third Ski Valley Conference title in five years with a 67-36 win over league foe Mancelona.

The Eagles (17-1, 14-1 SVC) need to beat Onaway — a team they defeated 87-31 earlier this season — to share the crown with Pellston. Bellaire won the league in 2008 and 2010.

Reece Koepke had 15 points, Kasey Poel 14 and Drew Bailey and Mitch Teetzel scored 12 and 10 for Bellaire.

Brandon Dingman had 12 points and Justin Spires 10 for the Ironmen.

Gaylord St. Mary      60 Forest Area      51

Luke Wisniewski scored 19 points to lead Gaylord St. Mary to a 60-51 comeback victory over Ski Valley Conference foe Forest Area.

The Snowbirds trailed by a dozen after the first quarter, 22-10, after the Warriors' Austin Vance scored 11 of his 18 points in the opening stanza.

Matt Spyhalski added 13 points for St. Mary.

Jermaine Nix had 14 points for Forest Area (7-9, 6-8 SVC), while Justin Burke added 13 points and six rebounds. Ryan McGee chipped in eight boards and four assists.

Central Lake      53 Inland Lakes      44

Zach Harvey and Trevor Papineau scored 19 points each as Central Lake posted a 53-44 Ski Valley Conference win over Inland Lakes.

The Trojans (11-8, 8-7 SVC) finish up the regular season a week early on Friday, traveling to Forest Area. Coach Quinn Barry said that week off will be important to allow the team to rest up and heal before districts.

Justin O'Connor scored 17 and Austin Jensen 12 for the Bulldogs.

GT Academy      46 Leelanau School      38

Mitch Drilling's double-double propelled Grand Traverse Academy past Leelanau School 46-38.

Drilling had 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Tim Fraser added eight points for the Mustangs (6-8), who host Traverse City Christian on Friday.

Jon Sloan's 12 points paced Leelanau.

GIRLS HOOPS

Kalkaska      63 Manistee      45

Kelli Guy and Jamie Myas almost outscored Manistee by themselves as Kalkaska downed Manistee 63-45 in a non-conference contest.

Guy erupted for 31 points and seven assists and Myas added 11 points, 13 rebounds and four steals.

Sophy Menestrina chipped in eight points and six boards, while Alisyn Hendricks had a half dozen points and five rebounds.

The Blazers (16-3, 11-2 Lake Michigan Conference) finish out the regular season at home Friday against Boyne City.

Megan VanderWelle led the Chippewas with 12 points, while Noel Solis added 10 and Brooke Janowiak nine.

-- Compiled by James Cook

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