Jackson-area boys basketball highlights: Six teams advance to district finals

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JACKSON – The second round of the Michigan high school boys basketball district tournament gave us some impressive individual performances that set the table for what should be a wild weekend of district championship action.

Several local teams battled their way through the bracket and into the district finals, while some saw their seasons come to an end.

We’ve got you covered with highlights, player stats and reactions to all of Thursday night’s action with a recap of how each Jackson-area boys basketball team fared during the district semifinal round.

MORE: Our 14 favorite photos as Michigan Center and Napoleon win boys basketball district semifinals

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Western vs. Northwest boys basketball — Parma Western’s Trey Cottingham (10) shoots the ball during a boys basketball game at Northwest High School on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. Parma Western won the game over Northwest, 63-47.J. Scott Park | MLive.com

Parma Western 73, Jonesville 48

The Panthers jumped out to a 48-13 advantage in the first half and fended off the Comets in the second half to secure a trip to this weekend’s district championship game.

Trey Cottingham finished with 24 points and six steals to power Western, while Landon French added 15 points and seven rebounds, Cole Wilcox had eight points and Devin Bowers and Trenten Schnebelt each added five points.

“Our guys came ready to play tonight,” said Western head coach Ryan Mulnix. “Jonesville is a good team that is well-coached, so we knew we had to play with a lot of intensity and energy. We hope to match that on Saturday night as we play another well-coached team in Onsted.”

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Onsted 63, Hillsdale 38

The Wildcats took a 35-16 lead at halftime and held off the Hornets the rest of the game to secure a trip to the district finals.

Aidan Flannery finished with eight points to lead Hillsdale, while Jon Torres added seven points and four rebounds, Jack Bowles had seven points and two assists and Gabe Alley scored five points.

Lincoln Lipinski scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Onsted, while Dayton Henegan, Ayden Davis and Harry Moore each added 10 points.

*Western (6-8) advances to face Onsted (14-3) in Saturday’s district championship game at Jonesville (7 p.m.)

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Chelsea 62, Stockbridge 43

The Bulldogs used a 25-point third quarter to create some separation from the Panthers and ended the game on a 10-5 run to secure a district semifinal win.

Lucas Hanifan scored 23 points to lead Chelsea, while Jordan Fansler had 18 points and Joey Cabana had 13 points.

Jeremy Pilch scored 17 points to lead Stockbridge, while Noah Robidou added 12 points.

Chelsea (12-3) advances to host Williamston (10-2) in Saturday’s district championship game at 7 p.m.

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Homer 64, Concord 31

Mekhi Wingfield scored 23 points to lead the Yellowjackets.

*Homer did not provide player stats

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Hanover-Horton hosts Grass Lake in boys basketball — Hanover-Horton’s Brogan Brockie (14) shoots a free throw during a high school boys basketball game at Hanover-Horton High School on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. Hanover-Horton won the game over Grass Lake, 67-48.J. Scott Park | MLive.com

Hanover-Horton 55, Jackson Lumen Christi 35

The Comets used a 21-6 run in the third quarter to pull away from the Titans and secure a trip to the district championship game this weekend.

Carson Sanders scored 14 points and added 11 rebounds and three assists to lead Hanover-Horton, while Brogan Brockie added 10 points and four rebounds, Logan Shepherd had seven points, Gavin Gumper had five points and five assists, Conner Mortimer had four points, four rebounds and three assists and Evan Keeder had four points and five rebounds.

Brendan Stevens finished with 10 points to lead Lumen Christi, while Collin O’Neal and Gannon Shore each added five points.

“We were able to get everyone a lot of minutes tonight,” said Hanover-Horton head coach Chad Mortimer. “It’s too bad Lumen wasn’t able to have their whole team there. I feel terrible for those players who couldn’t finish out their season. We experienced that last year and it’s just not right to do to kids.”

Hanover-Horton (16-1) advances to host Homer (14-2) in Saturday’s district championship game at 7 p.m.

“Homer is going to be a very tough game for us,” added Mortimer. “They do a lot of things well. I think they will be one of the best teams we have seen all year. They have a lot of weapons and experience.”

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Napoleon vs Vandercook Lake district semifinal boys basketball — Napoleon’s Alex Darnell (20) drives to the basket during a MHSAA Division 3 boys basketball district semifinal at Michigan Center High School on Thursday, March 25, 2021. Napoleon won the game over Vandercook Lake, 62-45.J. Scott Park | MLive.com

Napoleon 62, Vandercook Lake 45

The Pirates used a 28-5 run at the start the second half to pull away from the Jayhawks and secure a district semifinal win over their Cascades Conference foe.

Alex Darnell scored 20 points to lead Napoleon, while Javen Tumey-Patterson added 14 points, Grant Bradley added 11 points and Zack Johnson had 10 points.

Gaven Cooper finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds to pace Vandercook Lake, while Demarion Smith added 11 points.

“Gaven Cooper competed tonight,” said Vandercook Lake head coach Cory Ray. “It’s disappointing that was his last game because that was a gritty performance by that kid.

“Overall, we played a pretty clean first half, but they turned us over in the third quarter and we just couldn’t stop the bleeding. It’s always disappointing to lose, but I’m proud of this group. We faced adversity many times throughout the year and we just kept working hard through it all. This program will forever be grateful for those seven seniors. We appreciate every single one of them.”

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Michigan Center 66, Grass Lake 36

The Cardinals raced out to a 37-17 advantage in the first half and held off the Warriors in the second half to secure a district semifinal win.

Brock Cyrocki finished with 13 points to lead Michigan Center, while Joe Olkowski added 11 points, Kaden Shannon had 10 points and Nikolas Kosmet had nine points.

Travis Fernamberg scored 11 points to pace Grass Lake, while Zeke Dubiel added eight points and Josh Sherwood had six points.

Michigan Center (13-3) advances to host Napoleon (9-4) in Saturday’s district championship game at noon.

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Leslie 71, Dansville 46

The Blackhawks used a 13-3 run in the second quarter to pull away from the Aggies and ended the game with a 27-point fourth quarter to secure a district semifinal win.

Tristan Feighner finished with 19 points to lead Leslie, while Nolan Frohriep added 15 points, Ayden Rutan had 13 points and Lucas McDaniel added 10 points.

“This was a solid team win for us against an athletic Dansville team that won double-digit games this season,” said Leslie head coach Matt Johns. “After all the challenges this season has presented, I’m excited our kids to have a chance to play for a championship.”

Leslie (14-1) advances to face Potterville (9-4) in Saturday’s district championship game at Dansville with tip-off slated for 7 p.m.

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Adrian Lenawee Christian 86, Manchester 40

Adrian Lenawee Christian (4-11) advances to face Hudson (7-13) in Saturday’s district championship game at Hudson (7 p.m.).

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Marshall Academy 50, Jackson Christian 47

AJ Cartwright scored 16 points to lead the Royals, while Nathan Jackson added 14 points, Tate Jacobs had nine points and Blaine Spry added six points.

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