Regional final run shows Battle Creek Central there's a 'bigger pot of gold at end of the rainbow'
DEWITT — Durant Crum knows many aren't familiar with the success the Battle Creek Central boys basketball program had 10, 15 or even 20 years ago.
But with his team's accomplishments this season, the Bearcat coach now has something he can point to for the younger players on their way up.
BCC won a district championship and appeared in a Division 1 regional final Wednesday before having its season halted with a 56-43 setback to East Lansing at DeWitt High School.
"With this run that we've had this year, the middle school, the younger guys, the underclassmen all at least got a chance to experience what potential we have and that there's a bigger pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with hard work," Crum said.
"I think it will help them believe that they can actually accomplish more because of what this year's team has done."
The Bearcats (17-8) enjoyed their success behind a veteran core. Seniors Kierre M. Young and Ke'Marion Tucker were part of that core and were the leaders in Wednesday's season-ending loss. Young finished with 15 points, including 10 in the opening half, and Tucker had 13 points.
The Bearcats never led in the title tilt and were done in by a pair of East Lansing runs. The Trojans (16-9) outscored BCC 11-2 in the late stages of the opening half to take a 28-17 lead at the intermission.
And after Battle Creek Central made its push to open the second half and got within four, East Lansing scored 11 straight behind star sophomore Cam Hutson to regain control.
Crum believes his team ran out of gas after the push to open the third quarter but is proud of what they achieved.
"It's always difficult when your season ends a little prematurely, but without a doubt we're definitely proud of all of the guys and what we were able to accomplish," he said. "It's been a while since we've gotten to this point. We feel good about that."
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Battle Creek Central's tourney run ends with loss to East Lansing
