Boyne City boys cap LMC title, Harbor Springs wins fourth straight

Drew Kochanny, The Petoskey News-Review
·8 min read
After defeating East Jordan Friday night and receiving a police escort back into town, the Boyne City boys' basketball team cut down the nets in the Rambler gym to celebrate their first Lake Michigan Conference title since 2014-15. It comes as co-championship with Traverse City St. Francis, who also went 13-1 in LMC play.
After defeating East Jordan Friday night and receiving a police escort back into town, the Boyne City boys' basketball team cut down the nets in the Rambler gym to celebrate their first Lake Michigan Conference title since 2014-15. It comes as co-championship with Traverse City St. Francis, who also went 13-1 in LMC play.

EAST JORDAN — Over the last decade, the Boyne City boys’ basketball team has watched many call themselves Lake Michigan Conference champions since their last title came following the 2014-15 season.

Traverse City St. Francis has collected three unbeaten titles and even rivals Charlevoix and East Jordan have been champions since that last Rambler championship.

Alex Calcaterra came through with 27 points Friday to help the Ramblers secure the title in East Jordan.
Alex Calcaterra came through with 27 points Friday to help the Ramblers secure the title in East Jordan.

On Friday night in East Jordan, Boyne City – as they have throughout the 2022-23 season – made it clear it’s been long enough with a 69-42 victory over the host Red Devils.

The victory capped Lake Michigan play and brought Boyne to 13-1 within the league, knotted with St. Francis for the co-championship. The two split in their regular season meetings.

The win also moved Boyne City to 18-3 overall on the year with one final home game to go Tuesday.

Boyne City led in a 13-8 game after the opening quarter, then played a tight second quarter and led just 29-23 at the break.

The Ramblers then came out of half with a big third and held EJ to just three points in a 19-3 quarter that made it 48-26 heading to the fourth.

Alex Calcaterra finished with 27 points on 11 of 14 shooting to lead the Ramblers, Mason Wilcox scored 12 and added six rebounds, five assists and four steals, then Mason Wilson also had eight points and two steals.

For East Jordan, Korbyn Russell, Ethan Thomas and Brendan Aenis all scored seven points and Devon Olstrom had six.

The title comes as the first shared title of the previous 10 years, with Boyne City also going back to back in 2013-14 and 2014-15. St. Francis is now a part of six of the past 10 titles.

Boyne City (18-3, 13-1 LMC) next welcomes in Petoskey in a non-conference rivalry game on Tuesday, Feb. 28, concluding the regular season. East Jordan (4-16, 2-12 LMC) will travel to Ellsworth for a non-conference game Tuesday.

Harbor Springs 61, Kalkaska 41

KALKASKA — The Harbor Springs boys’ basketball team pulled in a fourth consecutive victory and their seventh win in their past eight games in a 61-41 final over Kalkaska Friday.

Eight points from Brady Keiser helped the Rams bust out of the gates with a 15-6 lead after one quarter, then a 28-20 lead was taken into the half by the Rams.

Rider Bartel and the Rams continued to play some of their best ball Friday and earned another victory on the road.
Rider Bartel and the Rams continued to play some of their best ball Friday and earned another victory on the road.

Braeden Flynn then came out of half with a 12-point third to help the Rams pull away in a 47-32 game after three.

Harbor closed out the fourth by going 10 of 11 from the free throw line down the stretch.

Rider Bartel finished with 22 points, Flynn scored 20 and Keiser added 10 points.

Harbor Springs (11-9, 8-6 LMC) will next welcome in Cheboygan on Tuesday, Feb. 28 for its regular season finale.

Elk Rapids 63, Charlevoix 52

CHARLEVOIX — Joe Gaffney put together a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double for the Charlevoix boys’ basketball team, though the Rayders dropped Friday to Elk Rapids, 63-52.

The Rayders trailed in a 17-7 game after one, though picked things up as the night went on.

“We came out flat in the first half and they took it to us early,” Charlevoix coach Anthony Troshak said. “We made some adjustments and the guys responded well. We never gave up, cut it to eight points in the fourth quarter but couldn't get any closer.”

Charlevoix trailed 38-12 at the half and later 44-32 heading to the fourth.

Along with Gaffney, Ryan Pearl had 11 points and seven rebounds and Hudson Vollmer had nine points.

For Elk Rapids, Maceo Gulich led with 15 pints and Owen Spencer scored 12.

Charlevoix (3-17, 2-12 LMC) next travels to Kingsley on Monday, Feb. 27, then wraps the regular season against Mancelona at home on Thursday.

NON-CONFERENCE 

Mackinaw City 59, Pellston 52

PELLSTON — The Mackinaw City and Pellston boys’ basketball teams met in an annual rivalry Friday night in Pellston, with the Comets pulling out a comeback victory in a tight 59-52 final.

“Season records become of very little importance and it showed tonight,” Mackinaw coach John Martin said. “We once again held our composure and were able to fend off the upset minded Hornets.”

Pellston led 21-18 after one quarter, then again 32-29 at the half, before Mackinaw later took a one-point 41-40 lead into the final quarter.

Trystan Swanson, Noah Valot and Lars Huffman all finished with 14 points for Mackinaw, while Cody Dyer led Pellston with 13 points. Brach Taylor also had 11 and Jack Schmalzreid had 10.

The Comets (17-3) next head to Posen in a non-conference game on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Pellston (

Landon Jakeway and the Harbor Light boys came out of a three-game week with a 2-1 record and some strong showings.
Landon Jakeway and the Harbor Light boys came out of a three-game week with a 2-1 record and some strong showings.

Posen 70 Harbor Light 32

Harbor Light 80, Alanson 40 

HARBOR SPRINGS — A busy three-game week for the Harbor Light Christian boys’ basketball team came with a split at the end, with an 80-40 win over Alanson and 70-32 loss against Posen.

Both games came at home during a five-game home stand for the Swordsmen.

Head coach Jason Roussin was happy to get the test against a 15-win Posen team just before districts, despite the result.

“We had a successful week overall and learned another level of intensity and they’re extremely well coached,” said Roussin. “We look forward to playing them in the years to come.”

Harbor Light trailed 37-19 at the half and later 55-22 heading to the fourth.

Landon Jakeway led with nine points, Truett Kruger had six and David Chamberlin had five and five rebounds.

Against Alanson, who the Swordsmen led 40-18 at half and 62-34 heading to the fourth against, Jakeway finished with 16 points, five rebounds, seven assists and six steals.

Chamberlin also had 18 points and five boards, Kruger scored 16 and Andrew Stahl returned from injury with 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

Harbor Light (12-9, 9-3 NLC) will next welcome in Brimley to conclude the regular season on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

NORTHERN LAKES 

Ellsworth 78, Wolverine 57

ELLSWORTH — The final Northern Lakes game for the Ellsworth boys’ basketball team came with a 78-57 win over Wolverine attached.

The Lancers led 21-12 after one quarter, then 38-27 after a half and 65-41 heading to the fourth.

Kelan Pletcher scored 30 points, Jacob Jenuwine had 14 points, Patrick Puroll scored 11 and Owen Cary added 10.

For Wolverine, Kaden Waldie led the way with 33 points and Ezekiel Glazer scored 10.

Ellsworth (16-5, 10-2 NLC) will next welcome in East Jordan on Tuesday, Feb. 28 for a non-conference rivalry with the Red Devils.

Elly Day and the Ramblers head into the postseason having gone undefeated in February.
Elly Day and the Ramblers head into the postseason having gone undefeated in February.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

NON-CONFERENCE 

Boyne City 47, Bellaire 27

BELLAIRE — The regular season of basketball closed for Boyne City’s girls with a sixth straight victory Saturday, as they topped Bellaire in a 47-27 final.

Boyne finished up an undefeated month of basketball, building momentum for the postseason.

Mackensy Wilson led with 13 points, Morgan Deming had 10 points and Brook Williams added seven points.

Bellaire was also led by Jacey Somers with 21 points.

Boyne City (8-14) will next meet Kalkaska on the road on Wednesday, March 1 in their district opener.

Harbor Springs 51, Gaylord St. Mary 35

HARBOR SPRINGS — The regular season opened with a tough non-conference crossover with the Ski Valley Conference for the Harbor Springs girls’ basketball team and it closed Friday with just the same.

The Rams welcomed in Ski Valley champion Gaylord St. Mary for their final game of the regular season Friday and picked up some postseason momentum with a 51-35 win.

Harbor Springs got off to an 11-3 advantage after the opening quarter, then leaned on seniors Sierra Kruzel and Hailey Fisher to build eventual leads of 25-12 at the half and 37-19 after three quarters in the book.

Kruzel finished the game with 18 points to lead, Olivia Flynn scored 16 and Fisher added 10 points.

For St. Mary, Macey Bebble led with 10 points and Emma McKinley scored eight.

The win for the Rams snapped a 19-game win streak for the Snowbirds, who hadn’t lost since the opening week of the season.

It also brought Harbor to 3-0 against SVC teams this season.

Harbor Springs (17-4) now turns its focus to another team out of the Ski Valley, as they begin district play on Wednesday, March 1 against Mancelona at home.

NORTHERN LAKES 

Alanson 67, Wolverine 30 

ALANSON — A three-game skid was snapped by the Alanson girls’ basketball team Friday night in a 67-30 win over Wolverine.

It also came as the regular season finale for the Vikings and capped senior and parents night on a high note.

Alanson was led by Allison Peters with 24 points, Gretchyn Bowman had 19 points and 15 rebounds and Christina Midyett had 10 and 19 rebounds as well. Asia Needham also scored six for the Vikings.

Alanson (7-11, 4-8 NLC) will next get district basketball going with a trip to Boyne Falls on Monday.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Boyne City boys cap LMC title, Harbor Springs wins fourth straight