Win streak ends for Petoskey girls vs. East Kentwood, PHS boys fall in Ludington

CADILLAC — There’s some losses where you actually get more out of the game than an easy win.

The only difference is usually the feeling afterward, though that’s certainly how the Petoskey girls’ basketball team will look at Saturday’s defeat against East Kentwood in Cadillac during a showcase event hosted by the Vikings.

Up against a Falcons team that’s picked up some impressive wins and an honorable mention spot in the state-wide rankings, Petoskey pushed East Kentwood to the end, though fell in a 56-50 final.

“A heck of a game,” Petoskey coach Bryan Shaw said afterward. “The girls played well and played hard. A couple quick scoring spurts just did us in.”

Petoskey climbed out of deficits after each quarter break, though couldn’t put the final stamp on it in the fourth.

East Kentwood’s Tianna Daye also heated up from 3-point range in the second half, nailing four triples in the third quarter, accounting for 12 of their 15 points in the third.

Kentwood led 20-16 after the opening quarter, with Petoskey keeping in it behind six points from Grayson Guy and 3-pointers from Caroline Guy and Hope Wegmann.

It was then a 31-24 game at the break and a 46-37 game heading to the fourth following Daye’s big showing.

Petoskey was led in the game by Caroline Guy and Kenzie Bromley, both with 12 points. Guy also had seven rebounds and two blocks and Bromley added six rebounds.

Grayson Guy also had nine points, seven rebounds and three assists and Wegmann scored eight and added three assists. Lia Trudeau also had four points and five rebounds.

For East Kentwood, Daye eventually finished the game with 24 points.

The loss moved Petoskey to 7-5 overall on the season and they’ll next welcome in Traverse City West at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17. The game will come as a varsity doubleheader, as will their Friday, Jan. 20 matchup with Traverse City Central, also at home.

BOYS 

NON-CONFERENCE 

Ludington 56, Petoskey 48

LUDINGTON — No doubt about it, the Petoskey boys’ basketball team will be happy to be home this week.

For the third time during their five-game road stretch, the Northmen returned back to Petoskey with a loss Saturday, falling in a 56-48 final against undefeated Ludington.

It comes following an overtime defeat at Cadillac earlier in the week and during a stretch where they also took a loss from a 9-0 Cadillac team. Petoskey’s three losses come against teams with a combined record of 27-1.

“We played two very good teams on the road this week,” Petoskey coach Matt Tamm said. “One we lost in overtime and the other mounted a comeback. We will learn and get better.

“Great environment for a high school game. Ludington, like Petoskey, loves its basketball. Great student section and community support.”

The Northmen dropped to 7-3 overall on the season with the loss, while Ludington jumped to 11-0.

Petoskey needed to play catchup throughout the first half, trailing 18-11 after one, then 28-24 at the end of the second quarter.

A 19-6 advantage in the third, however, put Petoskey up 43-34 after three, as the scoring was spread throughout the Northmen book, which included 3-pointers from Evan Rindfusz and Lucas O’Donnell. Jimmy Marshall also put up seven points in the quarter.

Ludington then came out swinging in the fourth, sinking a pair of threes to climb back in it, eventually tying the game with two minutes to play.

The Orioles later took the lead and then added it to it off a Northmen turnover with under a minute to play. The game was then sealed on back to back perfect trips to the line for Ludington.

Petoskey’s Cade Trudeau led with 14 points, 11 rebounds and five assists, Marshall scored 12 and Shane Izzard added eight points.

Petoskey will finally get the chance to return to the Petoskey High School gym this week as they next meet Traverse City West (5-6) at home on Tuesday, Jan. 17. The Northmen will also welcome in Traverse City Central (4-7) on Friday, Jan. 20.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Win streak ends for Petoskey girls vs. East Kentwood, PHS boys fall in Ludington