Tecumseh takes big SEC White boys basketball matchup against Adrian

TECUMSEH — The Adrian and Tecumseh boys basketball games are always some of the most intense games in the county.

The rivalry renewed Friday night with Tecumseh getting the upper hand in the first Southeastern Conference White Division showdown, 57-51.

"We always like to beat Adrian," said Tecumseh head coach Jamison Webster. "We talked to the kids before that it's the most important game, because it's the next game. We try to look at it like the most important one, because it's the next opportunity to get a win."

Tecumseh (8-2, 3-0 SEC White) jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game and never trailed as it took a 14-5 lead into the second and held a 19-15 lead at the half.

The Maples (8-4, 2-2 SEC White) were able to cut the deficit down to one point, 57-56 with under three minutes to go in the fourth, but was never able to tie the game back up or take the lead.

"They popped us in the mouth," said Adrian head coach Jordan Kelly. "We weren't ourselves and that was frustrating. We didn't have the same toughness that we normally have."

The Maples' senior standout Joe Francis was cold to start as he was held to eight points, but he found his touch in the second half as he finished the game with 27 points, three blocks, a steal and an assist.

With Francis struggling early on, freshman Stevie Elam kept Adrian in the game as he finished with 17 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal.

"(Elam) has been great for us," Kelly said. "When (Francis) goes cold he can pick it up. We've got to get more production from the other guys."

While Adrian was searching for more production, Tecumseh's depth was on full display.

Ryder Zajac led the way with 19 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a block as he was the only on for Tecumseh to score in double figures.

David Hunt added nine points, four rebounds and two assists while Drew Wiedyk had eight points, four rebounds and two assists.

The depth was needed as junior Jobe Benschoter recently re-injured his collar bone from the football season and is out for the rest of the season.

"We had tremendous support," Webster said. "Jobe was a guy who was playing 25 minutes a game and when he went down to start league play everyone was probably counting us out. A credit to everyone coming off the bench."

Britton Deerfield 59, Summerfield 57: At Britton, It looked like a daunting task. Britton Deerfield had the ball with 3.1 seconds left at the far end of the court with the score tied 57-57 Friday in the Tri-County Conference matchup.

No problem.

The Patriots inbounded, made a quick pass up the court to Nico Johnson who took the ball to the basket, was fouled and proceeded to make both free throws with :01 left to give BD a thrilling 59-57 win.

“We set up a play,” said BD head coach Darren Shiels. “We wanted him to get the ball. We got up the court fast and took the ball right to the hole and got fouled.”

In the second quarter it looked like Johnson may not return to the court.

“It was a gutty performance,” Shiels said. “He tweaked his knee in the second quarter and he sat most of the quarter. We didn’t know if he could come back. He came in at halftime with his knee taped up and said he could go. He didn’t come out in the second half.”

Johnson finished with 16 points, Noah McRoberts had 11 points and Logan Shiels scored 10 for BD, which improved to 8-2 overall and 4-2 in the TCC.

Madison 64, Sand Creek 59: At Madison Twp., the Trojans overcame a 40-point effort by Tylan Waltz to win the TCC matchup.

Madison came from behind for the win. The Aggies led 13-8 after the first quarter and 31-24 at halftime, but the Trojans outscored Sand Creek 15-6 in the third quarter.

Waltz scored 21 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter as the Aggies mounted a comeback.

Mauricio Nieto scored a career-high 17 points and added eight rebounds. Austin Burciaga made three 3-pointers and scored 18 points and Jayden Holly had 10. Dominic Regalado contributed seven assists and Michael Benson had five rebounds.

Madison is 6-4 overall and 3-2 in the TCC. The Aggies are 1-10 overall and 0-5 in the TCC.

Morenci 61, Lenawee Christian 42: At Adrian, the Bulldogs and Cougars were tied 13-13 after the first quarter, but Morenci went on a 20-5 run in the second quarter to pull away.

Bryson Bachelder scored 10 points in the second quarter for Morenci to give the Bulldogs a big halftime advantage. Bachelder finished with 17 points, Braylon Stover scored 16 and Landon Mansfield 15 for the Bulldogs.

“We played awesome,” said Morenci coach Jed Hall. “We played good on-the-ball defense and rebounded well against their bigs.”

The Bulldogs have won two straight games and are evened their record at 5-5.

Elliott Addleman led Lenawee Christian (6-6) with 10 points.

Onsted 72, Columbia Central 34: At Onsted, the Wildcats are 14-0 after putting four players in double figures and rolling past the Golden Eagles for the Lenawee County Athletic Association.

Freshman JT Hill led the Wildcats with a career-high 19 points and five rebounds. Another Wildcat freshman, Aidan Paquin, chipped in with 14 points.

Harrison Moore scored 14 points and had seven assists while Ayden Davis had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Dayton Henagan missed double figures with nine points.

Onsted (14-0, 8-0 LCAA) plays Tuesday at home against Hudson.

Clinton 56, Blissfield 49: At Blissfield, Ryan Tschirhart had his second straight big game to lead the Redwolves to their seventh win of the season.

Tschirhart scored 17 points while Grant Stockford scored 10 for Clinton (7-4, 5-4 LCAA). Jalsen Stelzer pitched in with nine points.

Blissfield (5-6, 3-5 LCAA) was led by Nick Ostas’ 16 points. Luke Nofzinger (12 points) and Owen Smith (10) also reached double figures for the Royals. Ostas had eight rebounds.

Hudson 38, Hillsdale 31: At Hudson, the Tigers led from start to finish in the LCAA matchup.

Ambrose Horwath scored 10 points in the first quarter for Hudson to get the Tigers rolling and finished with 24 points on the game.

Hudson (4-8, 2-6 LCAA) is back in action Tuesday at undefeated Onsted.

Michigan Center 63, Addison 39: At Michigan Center, Addison had two players in double figures.

Dylan Sawdey scored 18 points by making six 3-pointers. Nate Sines scored 11 points.

Addison is now 2-6 and 0-4 in Cascades Conference play.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Tecumseh boys basketball beats Adrian in SEC White showdown