THE CHESANING INDIANS varsity boys basketball team avenged an earlier loss to Ovid-Elsie with a 64-63 home victory against the league-leading Ovid-Elsie Marauders on Tuesday, Feb. 19. The Indians improved their record to 13-6 and 9-4 in the Mid-Michigan Activities Conference (MMAC). The loss was only the second of the season for the Marauders, who fell to 15-2 and 11-2 in the MMAC.
The teams played to a 10-10 tie in the first quarter, before O-E outscored Chesaning 21-17 in the second quarter to take a 31-27 lead into the break. The Indians shut down the Marauders in the third quarter to take a 46-39 into the fourth quarter. O-E kept the game close until the end, outscoring Chesaning 24 to 18 in the final frame, before Michael James clinched the one-point victory with a free throw in the game’s final minute.
“Tonight was a great night for our seniors,” shared Chesaning coach Matt Weigl after the game. “To leave them with a victory the last time they will play on this court is a special thing. Ovid-Elsie has some really great offensive players, so we knew we’d be in for a battle all night. Even when we pulled away in the fourth, we knew we couldn’t relax and it’s a good thing we didn’t. O-E shot lights out in the fourth, pulling them right back in the game. All credit to our guys; we stayed tough and made just enough big plays to pull this one out.”
The Indians were led by Jacob Turnwald (shown), with 17 points and three assists, and Jarrett Kelley, with 15 points, three rebounds, three assists and one block. Michael James added 12 points and Cole Higley scored nine points and led the team with 14 rebounds.
The Marauders were led by Liam Thompson’s 23 points. Justin Miller added 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Shane Loynes contributed 11 points and three assists.
(Independent Photo/Graham Sturgeon)
