Frankenmuth’s Zac Janson puts up a 3-pointer against Millington. Janson would score a game-high 15 points on five 3-pointers in the 51-35 win. (photo by Kevin Gregory)
Tom Gilchrist and Mike Gallagher
Advertiser Sports Staff
FRANKENMUTH — When you hold the area’s top scoring offense to their lowest scoring output of the season, there is a good chance you will come up with the victory, and that’s what happened here Friday night as Frankenmuth beat Millington 51-35, clinching a share of the Tri-Valley East conference title.
The Eagles, led by Zac Janson, got off to a great start in the first quarter, jumping out to quick 14-2 lead. Janson, who made his first five shots on the night, knocked down three 3-pointers in the first. “We had a few guys hit some big shots in the first,” said Frankenmuth coach Andy Donovan. “When you play Millington you really have to score some points.”
For Millington the first quarter provided a bit of adversity as senior star Austin LeVan (22.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg) re-injured his right shoulder, an injury he sustained earlier in the season that caused him to miss five games. LeVan would play the remainder of the game, but was held scoreless.
In the second quarter, after a 9-0 scoring run, Frankenmuth built their lead to 26-11. Millington junior Cody Hill would answer back quickly though, scoring eight unanswered points to cut the Eagles led to seven. Janson would hit another 3-pointer in the quarter to push his scoring total to 12 points in the first half.
Millington’s Cody Hill goes up for the layup against Frankenmuth. Hill would score 11 points in the loss.(photo by Kevin Gregory)
Frankenmuth would go into halftime with a 29-19 lead. The Eagles defense put the clamps down on Millington’s scoring leader Shawn Pardee (26.9 ppg) holding Pardee to zero points in the first half. “Our gameplan was to make them shoot over us, and keep them away from the basket, and away from the free throw line,” stated coach Donovan.
To start the third quarter, Frankenmuth guard Sam Bookmyer scored a quick five points to extend the Eagles lead. Bookmyer, who would finish with seven points, scored on a 3-pointer, and a steal and score. Frankenmuth would go into the final quarter holding a 43-26 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Millington outscored Frankenmuth 9-8, but four free throws by Eagle’s senior Colton Zimmer put a halt to any comeback attempt by the Cardinals.
Frankenmuth, which saw nine players score, was led by Janson who scored 15. “We have great depth on our bench, and they played very well tonight,” stated coach Donovan. Zimmer would finish with 10 points, and Brady Wood added seven. Bookmyer grabbed 9 rebounds.
Millington had two players score in double figures, with Pardee scoring 12 points, and Cody Hill scoring 11. Tyler Riley had nine rebounds.
Frankenmuth (14-4, 11-2) will play LakeVille next week as they look to win the outright TVC title.
Frankenmuth’s rowdy student section gets loud during the Eagles win over Millington (photo by Kevin Gregory)
Owen-Gage 63, Mayville 59: “We had an awesome fourth quarter, and put together four full quarters of basketball, which is what we’ve been looking for all year,” said Owen-Gage coach Brian Wright, whose Bulldogs outscored Mayville 22-13 in the final period. Jacob Wright scored 25 points — 10 in the fourth quarter — and collected 14 rebounds for Owen-Gage. David Binder added 16 points for Owen-Gage with Dan Good tallying 14. Good also made three steals and blocked four shots. Dalton Bailey scored 19 points for Mayville and Andrew Morrison added 18 for the Wildcats.
Vassar 56, Bad Axe 48 (OT): Vassar’s defense held Greater Thumb Conference West Division champion Bad Axe to three shots in overtime, outscoring the Hatchets 9-1 in the extra period to claim the win at home. Vassar center Tyler Humpert collected 16 points and 17 rebounds, while guard Blake Ruppal scored 19 points. Coach Chuck Fabbro’s Vulcans trailed 33-22 at halftime but stormed back in the second half. Vassar boosts its overall record to 14-5 and 6-3 in the league, while handing Bad Axe its first league loss. Vassar finishes its season when it hosts Cass City on Tuesday.
Reese’s Drew Brechtelsbauer grabs a rebound against Vassar. Brechtelsbauer led the Rockets in their win over Cass City Friday with 12 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks.
Reese 48, Cass City 35: “Our whole team played good defense tonight,” said Reese coach Brian Kern, whose Rockets sealed the road win by outscoring Cass City 14-7 in the fourth quarter. Senior center Drew Brechtelsbauer scored 12 points, nabbed 14 rebounds and blocked six shots to power the Rockets. Senior Jared Schrader tallied 20 points for Reese, while Rocket freshman Kyle Stockmeyer scored six points and made four assists. Travis Lynch added seven assists for the Rockets, now 12-6 overall and 6-3 in the Greater Thumb Conference West Division. Cass City was led by Mason Erla with 10 points and Drew Loomis scored nine for the Red Hawks.
Bridgeport 75, North Branch 64: North Branch senior Curtis Garza poured in 22 points and senior Mike Stone added 13, but it wasn’t enough Friday night as the Broncos fell on the road. North Branch senior guard Zach Fish collected 10 points. The Broncos’ record dropped to 7-12 overall and 3-9 in the Tri-Valley Conference East Division.
Birch Run 68, Caro 38: The host Panthers outscored Caro 16-3 in the first quarter Friday night en route to the win. Tanner Tysick scored 12 points, Alex Phillips tallied nine and Kyle Sharp collected seven for Caro. Birch Run was led by Peyton Miller with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
FROM WEDNESDAY
Vassar 47, Unionville-Sebewaing Area 44: Tyler Humpert scored 23 points while teammates DeAundre Callahan and Blake Ruppal added seven apiece for the Vulcans in this road victory. Aaron Saenz sparked USA with 17 points, while Isaiah Williamson added 12 and Hunter Bohn scored six. Vassar led 24-23 at halftime and 37-36 after three quarters.