Cros-Lex keeps extending its dominant run in boys basketball
IMLAY CITY — When Hunter Soper graduated in 2021, the Croswell-Lexington boys basketball team was supposed to take a step back. It didn't happen.
When Jake Townsend graduated in 2022, the Pioneers' run was supposed to be over. And yet, it's still going strong.
As the 2022-23 regular season draws to a close, Cros-Lex remains a powerhouse. The Pioneers are 13-3 overall and 9-1 in the BWAC. Vying for their fourth-straight league title, they're just one game behind Richmond for first place in the conference.
Yeah, Cros-Lex is still up there with the best.
Kroetsch's court
One of the best shooters in the area, particularly from the outside, is Zachary Kroetsch. The senior has perfected that ability with years of practice on a basketball court — but not the one you might think.
"My dad built a barn when we moved houses," Kroetsch said. "And he put a half court outside our house. So I'm out there almost every single day shooting and getting shots up."
In addition to team practices at the high school, that outdoor surface is where Kroetsch has spent the past three years improving his game. No matter the temperature, the guard is out there working in the elements.
"I really have to thank my dad," Kroetsch said. "Because he rebounds for me all the time."
Fan favorite
The BWAC features some of rowdier student sections, especially in basketball. Few know that better than senior Trey Kolakovich, as most of the playful, yet frequent, heckling is directed at him.
"Most of the time, it's funny," Kolakovich said. "Nobody is trying to be mean. It's just part of the game."
There are two reasons why the guard draws this attention. First, he's one of the area's top players. Opposing fans don't like it when you drop 33 points on their team, as he did in the Pioneers' 64-51 win over Imlay City on Friday.
As for the second reason, he thinks it has something to do with his hairstyle.
"I get a lot of 'cut your hair' and stuff like that," Kolakovich said in reference to his mullet. "You just have to deal with it and keep playing."
Campbell picks up win No. 100
This dominant era of Cros-Lex basketball began in 2017, when the program hired Lance Campbell to coach his alma mater. Since then, the Pioneers have set the standard for excellence in the BWAC.
The Pioneers' Friday was the 100th coaching victory of Campbell's career. He's now 100-24 during his tenure.
"We've got great players," Campbell said. "I think anybody in my role could've gotten 100 wins. You space yourself around great people. We've got great assistant coaches, great parents and a great community."
In the past four years alone, Cros-Lex has won four district championships, three BWAC titles and one regional championship.
"I've got to give some credit to my wife and my kids," Campbell said. "They allow me to do this and I love coaching the game of basketball. There is so many people that I'd like to thank. I don't want it to be about me, because it's Cros-Lex that got the 100th win."
Contact Brenden Welper at bwelper@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendenWelper.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Cros-Lex keeps extending its dominant run in boys basketball
