Kingston’s Kylan Pennington talks to his team during a pre-game huddle. Kingston opens district play Monday against Deckerville. (Photo by: John Cook)
By Mike Gallagher
Sports Writer
When it comes to the district basketball tournament, it’s all about preparation. And even though Kingston coach Dave Lester’s team won the North Central Thumb League title this year for the first time since 2006, he’s always looking for better preparation.
That’s why after Lester’s Cardinals wrapped up their conference title, they went on the road for two non-conference games to complete their season.
“That was by design,” Lester said. “It’s nice to get that kind of experience against tougher competition before district play starts.”
Kingston coach Dave Lester encourages players before last seasons district game.
Kingston (12-8) hosts a Class D district tournament this week, opening play against a familiar foe —Deckerville (7-11) — at 7:30 p.m. Monday. “The key to the game is going to be controlling the tempo,” commented Lester. “If we play our style and play defense, we have a great shot, but if we let them control the tempo, it’s anybody’s ballgame.” The 6 p.m. game that night features Peck (17-3) against Carsonville-Port Sanilac (7-13).
With only four teams in their district, Kingston will open play on Monday night, with the championship round being played on Wednesday night at 7:00. Lester sees the short week as a potential advantage of the district. “If we do manage to get out of our district, we will be able to scout our next opponent on that Friday which would be great.”
Kingston currently boasts the area’s top defense, allowing only 38.5 points per game, and according to Lester that’s all on the players.
“We are not the biggest or the most athletic, but the kids have really bought into what we are doing,” Lester said. “You don’t have a chance at a conference or district title if you dont play defense.”
As for a potential rematch with co-NCTL champion Peck in the district finals, Lester says “Obviously you have to take it game by game, but we would love to end their season.”
Lester and his Cardinals know that all it will take is a little preparation.
CLASS B DISTRICT at CARO
North Branch’s Curt Garza takes a shot against Frankenmuth. The Broncos open district play Monday against Caro. (photo by: Kevin Gregory)
Mt. Morris (7-12) plays Flint Northwestern (15-3) at 6 p.m. Monday, and North Branch (7-13) plays Caro (8-12) at 7:45 p.m. that night. On Wednesday at 6 p.m., Frankenmuth (16-4) takes on the winner of the Mount Morris/Flint Northwestern game. LakeVille (1-19) plays the winner of the Caro/North Branch tussle Wednesday at 7:45 p.m.
The district final game is Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Players to watch:
Curt Garza, North Branch: Garza is one of the most consistent scorers in the area, having scored in double-digits in every game this year. If Garza (18.2 ppg) gets hot, he could carry the Broncos to the district final.
Zac Janson, Frankenmuth: The Eagles are one of the top scoring offenses in the area (61.1 ppg), and Janson has been leading the way as of late. Janson has averaged 13.8 points per game in his last five games, and has been efficient from beyond the arc, hitting five 3-pointers against Millingon, and three against Reese.
Bailey Krueger, Caro: The Tigers scoring attack is quite balanced, with multiple players usually scoring in double figures, but Bailey (13.6 ppg) has shown that he can score with the best of them. In a game against Millington Krueger scored a season-high 31 points.
CLASS C DISTRICT at VASSAR
Shawn Pardee throws up a shot against Frankenmuth. Millington will play the winner of the Reese/Montrose game Wednesday night at 7:30 in Vassar
The host Vulcans (14-5) take on New Lothrop (8-11) at 6 p.m. Monday, followed by a 7:30p.m. contest between Reese (13-7) and Montrose (9-9).
The Vassar/New Lothrop winner plays Mayville (5-13) at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Later that night at 7:30 p.m., Millington (15-4) battles the winner of the Reese/Montrose game.
Survivors play for the district championship at 7 p.m. Friday.
Players to watch:
Tyler Humpert, Vassar: Humpert has averaged a double double on the season (14.7 ppg, 11.2 rpg), and his Vulcans have finished the season strong, winning seven of their final eight games. In a recent win against GTC-West champion Bad Axe, Humpert scored 16 points, and grabbed 17 rebounds.
Shawn Pardee, Millington: Pardee is the area’s top scorer for the season with 516 points (25.8 ppg). He scored a season-high 40 points against LakeVille, and made 52 consecutive free throws during the season, the fourth-longest streak in Michigan high school basketball history.
Drew Brechtelsbauser, Reese: Brechtelsbauer, a 6-foot-5 senior, is one of the area’s best when it comes to rebounding. After averaging 10 rebounds per game during the regular season, Brechtelsbauer looks to keep up the strong effort on the boards during post season play.
CLASS C at BAY CITY ALL SAINTS
Akron-Fairgrove’s Jeremy Verhelle lays up a shot over Bay City All Saints’ Justin Bates. Akron-Fairgrove will play the winner of the Caseville/North Huron game Wednesday night at 7:30 in Bay City.
Caseville (0-13) opens this district against North Huron (9-10) Monday at 6 p.m. to determine who plays Akron-Fairgrove (10-8) in the second round Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
The other Wednesday game, at 6 p.m., features Owen-Gage (3-13) dueling Bay City All Saints (12-8).
The district final is Friday at 6 p.m.
Players to watch:
Jacob Wright, Owen-Gage: Wright leads the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding, averaging 21.6 points, and 11.8 rebounds per game. Wright forms a strong scoring duo with David Binder (13.2 ppg). In a recent victory over Mayville, Wright scored 25 points – 10 in the fourth quarter – and pulled down 16 rebounds.
Jeremy Verhelle, Akron-Fairgrove: Verhelle, a senior, leads an experienced Viking squad, and has the ability to shoulder the scoring load on a game to game basis. Verhelle (16.3ppg) scored a season high 28 points against Landmark, and has scored more than 20 points in five games this season.
Justin Bates, Bay City All-Saints: A scorer that Viking and Bulldog fans should be familiar with. Bates (20.2 ppg), averaged 23.3 points in four games against Akron-Fairgrove, and Owen-Gage, including a season-high 34 against Owen-Gage.
CLASS C DISTRICT at BAD AXE
USA’s Aaron Saenz handles the ball against Sanford Meridian. USA opens district play Monday against Ubly. (photo by: Dave Wohl)
Unionville-Sebewaing Area (10-9) opens the tournament here against Ubly (5-11) at 6 p.m. Monday. Following that game at 7:30 p.m., Harbor Beach (13-4) takes on Laker High (2-15).
Greater Thumb Conference West Division champion Bad Axe (14-5) meets the winner of the Harbor Beach/Laker game at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The other Wednesday affair at 7:30 p.m. pits Cass City (6-13) against the winner of the USA/Ubly contest.
The district final takes place Friday at 7 p.m.
Players to watch:
Aaron Saenz, USA: Saenz, a junior guard, has been a consistent scoring option for the Patriots. Saenz averaged 17.4 points per game this season, and scored a season-high 32 points against Sanford Meridian. Saenz also scored 31 in a two point win over Vassar.
Tommy Morneau, Bad Axe: Morneau led the Hatchets to their first conference title since 1960, this season, and scored 25 points in the title clinching win over Reese. Morneau is one of the best at creating his own shot, and scored 35 points in a game against potential district matchup USA.
Kurt Kubacki, Ubly: Kubacki is a sharpshooter for the Bearcats. In the last game of the regular season for Ubly, Kubacki hit a school record nine 3-pointers in a one point loss to Bad Axe.
CLASS C DISTRICT at BROWN CITY
Marlette’s Andrew Storm scores on a layup against Reese. Marlette will play the winner of the Brown City/Memphis game Wednesday night, in Brown City.(photo by: Kevin Gregory)
Brown City (9-9) meets Memphis (2-16) at 6 p.m. Monday, with the 7:30 p.m. game that night featuring Sandusky (11-8) against Dryden.
Marlette (13-6) plays on Wednesday at 6 p.m. against the winner of the Brown City/Memphis game. The later game at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday features Capac (8-9) against the winner of the Sandusky/Dryden game.
The district final is at 7 p.m. Friday.
Players to watch:
Andrew Storm, Marlette: Storm leads Marlette in scoring, averaging 14.3 point per game, and has been playing well lately, scoring 25 points against USA, and 27 against Brown City his last two games.
Danny Hale, Sandusky: Hale is a great scoring option for the Redskins. Hale scored 19 in the final game of the regular season against Memphis, and had 22 against Harbor Beach. In Sandusky’s win over Kingston, Hale scored 13 of his teams 16 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Redskins to the win.