DeWitt boys basketball finding early success despite losing all-time leading scorer
GRAND LEDGE — The DeWitt boys basketball team lost its all-time leading scorer in program history with the graduation of Bryce Kurncz.
But the Panthers have still found ways to win in the early stages of the season with players like Adam Flannery and others stepping up.
And that continued Friday night.
DeWitt maintained its perfect record, opening CAAC Blue play with a 60-50 victory over Grand Ledge.
The victory was the fourth by 10 points or less for the Panthers this season, which includes an overtime win over Mount Pleasant earlier this month.
"We knew that losing (Bryce) was going to (play a big role)," Flannery said. "Obviously he's the leading scorer in program history for basketball, has all these amazing accomplishments and he's a great player. We all knew that we're all going to have to step up in some way and that we're all going to have to know our role and play our role exactly how we need to. That's how we win games and that's why we're 6-0 right now."
DeWitt (6-0, 1-0) got contributions from several players while gaining some separation in a second half where it led by as much as 12. Garrett Grewe, Elliott Larner and Matt Huhn had big moments in the third quarter, while Flannery was big in the fourth as the Panthers closed out their latest win.
Flannery had a game-high 20 points and added six assists and six rebounds, while Zach Nevison and Larner each had 13 points for the Panthers.
"I think this year the theme for us is the ball can't get sticky," DeWitt coach Bill Flannery said. "Every night somebody else has to step up and it has got to be multiple guys on both ends of the floor. They're really working hard on the defensive end of the floor and we've been able to turn some of that into offense. I think that's what the big key for us has been so far in this early start."
Adam Flannery believed this type of success was possible for the Panthers because of their attitude. He said teammates have been willing to do whatever it takes to win games since the opening day of tryouts and that's been on display in the first three weeks of the season.
"Everybody is going to work," Adam Flannery said. " ... This year's team — we're more about getting back on defense, getting offensive rebounds, playing hard and all of that. That's what we're about."
Elyjah Hendricks continued his strong start to the season, pacing Grand Ledge (4-2, 0-1) with 18 points. Alex Moran added 15 points for the Comets.
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: DeWitt boys basketball adds to perfect start, tops Grand Ledge
