Packers Stave Off Tiger Attack

Story and photos by Mike Gesler

Fremont 65   Grant 56

​Neither Grant nor Fremont have a shot at their respective conference titles. Grant is sitting pretty much center of the Central State Activities Association and will probably stay there. Fremont as well is pretty much locked into the center of the West Michigan Conference – Lakes Division. What is on the line tonight beside the ever-important Newaygo County bragging rights, is that voodoo magic the Michigan High School Athletic Association calls the Michigan Power Rankings (MPR).

On paper both Grant and Fremont pretty much match up well. Both teams played and lost to Ludington, Big Rapids, and Whitehall. Both teams played and defeated Shelby, Tri County, and Ravenna. And both teams will also travel to Comstock Park for the same District assignment in which their MPR will determine their bracket match up and quite possibly a shot at the District championship game. To say then that this particular game tonight has little consequence is a gross misunderstanding.

While it would be Fremont’s Gavin Richards who would draw first blood, it would be Grant who would put together an almost solid quarter of play. However, the Tigers would let a seven point margin slip at the end of the first giving the Packers a one point deficit to overcome at the start of the second. Fremont turned the tides and mounted an eight point advantage in the first half of the second before Grant called a timeout with 4:30 left on the clock. The timeout worked to cool the surging Packers. Unfortunately, it also cooled the Tigers as neither team could get anything going for the remainder of the half only putting up two apiece. As the teams headed into the locker rooms, that eight point Fremont margin remained.

The Packers came out ready for the third and quickly went on a nine point run before calling an odd timeout with 5:04 on the clock. While I questioned the wisdom of calling a timeout when your team is utterly controlling the game, there was obviously some adjustment that Coach Bowen wanted to make. It did slow the Packer dominance as Grant was able to get somewhat on track, however Fremont continued to stretch their lead by seventeen to end the third. 

​The fourth would be an all-out slug fest. Grant began chipping away at the Packers lead, and eventually brought the game within six. However, Fremont was too solid at the line and managed to keep the hosting Tigers at bay.

“Well, it was kind of a typical Grant Fremont game except that there were times that I didn’t think it was a very good brand of basketball being played like we would both expect it to be,” stated Grant’s coach, Joe Schuitema. “I am proud of the way our guys battled back with that deep run. Tried to get it inside of ten. They kept competing. But we have got to figure out how to play four good quarters and play hard and play smart for four good quarters against a good team.”

Zaiden Phillips and Oakley Obenauf each shot double digits tonight for the Tigers with eleven and ten respectively. Lucas Swanson put up nine while Austin Whitney, Zak Barnhart, and Gage Cronk had six apiece. Chase Geers added four, and Blake Rider and Mason Woodared ended with two. The Tigers will rest for a week before heading to Tri County next Tuesday. Game time is 7:00 pm.

“Kind of an odd game,” shared Fremont’s coach, Adam Bowen. “We didn’t get off to a great start. They shot the ball well early. We knew they’re a good shooting team so that didn’t surprise me much. But we showed some fight. We came back. I thought second part of the first quarter all the way through the end of the third quarter, we played some of the best basketball we’ve played all season. Fourth quarter got a little sloppy. Turned the ball over, started fouling when we shouldn't have, but overall, I’m happy. They played hard and it’s a good win. It’s a tough place to win so I’m happy with it.”

​The Packers had three in double digits tonight. Jordan McDonald led with sixteen, Gavin Richards shot twelve, and Chaz Miller knocked down ten. William DeBlake added eight while Ben Mellema put up six. Both Owen Snyder and Nate Vincent shot five apiece, and Andrew Steger ended with three.
​Fremont will be on the road against league leaders Ludington on Friday evening. Game time is 7:00.