Grand Blanc clinches second place in KLAA

Grand Blanc’s Bart Williams battles for possession against Saginaw Heritage on Tuesday. Photo by Michael Selecky GRAND BLANC — After a 3-3 start to the season, the Grand Blanc boys’ squad has clinched second place in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association, behind top dog Milford. The Bobcats have won eight of their last nine and six in a row, says coach Chris Belcher.

Tuesday’s 64-47 nonconference win over Saginaw Heritage wasn’t perhaps the best game the boys have played all season, but on Senior Night, all seniors got to play and the win was a good way to send them out, Belcher added. Grand Blanc gave itself the early lead, 15-8, after the first quarter and was still ahead, 30- 21, at the half. A solid 23-13 third quarter increased the cushion and though Heritage outscored Grand Blanc in the final frame, 13-11, the team had done the work to preserve the win.

Junior Mitch Rubio (#3) looks to make a pass for the Goodrich varsity boys basketball squad. Photo by Brandon Pope Bart Williams led with 17 points, KJ Miller added 14 points and grabbed four steals and Jake Daniels had nine points and three steals.

Last Friday’s matchup with Howell was the big game that mattered for league bragging rights. With the championship on the line and Milford essentially in charge of everyone’s destiny as the league leader, their win with Grand Blanc’s 56-46 win over Howell put the final stamp on the regular season.

“The win was a big one for us and completed the 5-0 sweep of the second round of the season to beat teams that had beaten us earlier in the season. We finished at 8-2 for second place and now go into the KLAA tournament next week at 11-4,” Belcher said.

Miller led the squad with 16 points and four boards, George Margaritas had 14 points, five boards and three steals and Daniel had nine points. — L.P. GOODRICH

The Martians hung with seventhranked Class B Detroit Country Day until midway through the third quarter before dropping an 85-75 nonleague decision last Friday at home.

Goodrich fell behind, 27-17, after one period, but battled back to within 38-33 by halftime. The Martians were still close at 46-42 in the third quarter, but a 20-0 run by Country Day over a three-minute span widened the gap. Goodrich went down fighting with a 28-18 fourth-quarter rally to make the final score close.

Alec Myers led the Martians with 24 points, Nathan Landsgaard added 19 and Frank Greene and Grant Smith scored 10 apiece. Country Day was led by Poet Thomas with 17 points, Austin Price with 14 and Maurice Ways with 10.

Goodrich, 10-6, will resume Genesee Area Conference-Red play tonight at Montrose and host Flint Southwestern next Tuesday. — D.N.