Flat Rock clinches Huron League title; SMCC comeback nips Airport
FLAT ROCK – Buying in and building a culture.
The culture that Flat Rock boys basketball coach Rick Smith has built over the past six years is becoming a winning one.
For the first time in school history the Rams won their third consecutive Huron League title Friday night, beating arch-rival New Boston Huron 55-33.
This is the fifth time in the past six years that the Rams have won the Huron League (During the COVID restricted 2021 season Flat Rock finished 1-12).
League trophies over the past three season have created a culture where winning is an expectation, that winning expectation is made easier with a team that does things right on and off the court.
“We have players that are bought in and they do things the right way – they work so hard on the court, but they’re out in the community and they’re in the school working,” Smith said.
The Rams also draw tremendous support from those around the community.
“The parents and administrators have offered such support, they’ve been tremendous and added to this culture,” Smith said.
Flat Rock jumped out a 16-4 lead after the first quarter and never looked back, extending their lead to 21 points by then end of the third quarter.
Odin Nemeth lead the Rams in scoring with 14 points, while Michael Beaudrie had a career-high 9 points.
The Rams improve to 11-0 in league action and extend their record to 16-3 overall.
SMCC 54. Airport 48
CARLETON – St. Mary Catholic Central lost by 17 to Airport a few weeks ago and trailed by 7 midway through the fourth quarter in the rematch Friday.
Guards Ian Foster and Brady Hines pulled them out of the hole. Combining for 12 points in the final minutes.
More: Summerfield's boys lose l12-point lead, fall to No. 1 Lenawee Christian
Girls Basketball : LaPrad helps SMCC girls hold off frantic comeback bid by Airport
“The guys stuck together and pulled it out,” SMCC coach Randy Windham said. “Very nice team win.”
Foster scored 19 points and Hines poured in a career-high 17 for the 9-8 Falcons.
“We went cold from the field and guards Ian Foster and Brady Hines for going strong to the rim and drawing fouls,” Airport coach Jason Ruhlig said.
Airport (10-9) had a trio of players in double figures – Cooper Nye (16), Brett Moore (13) and Dillon Byrd (11). Nye also grabbed 10 rebounds.
Erie Mason 69, Morenci 12
ERIE – Xavier Wise fired in six 3-pointers and scored 22 points to lead Erie Mason.
“Xavier Wise’s hot shooting from 3 and excellent defense fueled the win for the Eagles on Senior Night.” Mason coach Kevin Skaggs said. “Proud of this group. It’s a credit how they’ve stuck together through a tough season.”
Mason will take a 5-12 record into Saturday’s game at Ida.
Whiteford 64, Sand Creek 52
SAND CREEK – Ryin Ruddy celebrated signing with Hillsdale College for football this week by leading the Bobcats with 18 points in a win over Sand Creek.
The Bobcats, who have two wins over the Aggies in 10 days, finished 8-4 and in second place in the TCC. They are 13-7 overall.
Kolby Masserant scored nine points and Lincoln Joerin had seven in the win over the Aggies, who had just three players score in Friday’s game.
Monroe 43, Dexter 38
MONROE – Monroe avenged a 13-point loss earlier this season.
“We played our best game of the year tonight,” Monroe coach Larry Middleton said. “By far our best defensive effort this year. Our guys played their butts off tonight. Really proud of how we competed and finished the game tonight.”
Lukas Johnson scored 20 points to lead the 5-12 Trojans.
Ypsilanti Lincoln 56, Bedford 46
WILLIS – Bedford coach Jordan Bollin can see the improvement and Friday night’s loss is a microcosm of the growth his young team is starting to show.
The Mules lost by 30 points during their first contest against the Railsplitters, things were a lot different this time.
Bedford trailed by just three points 25-22 heading into the intermission, but a 19-point third quarter allowed Lincoln to pull away.
Despite the loss Bollin was happy with his growing team’s play.
“We played arguably our best game tonight, the boys played their butts off,” he said. “We have improved week in and week out; I’m excited about where this team is going.”
Noah Colon scored 12 points and grabbed 5 rebounds to lead the Mules in both categories.
Grosse Ile 80, Jefferson 67
NEWPORT – Grosse Ile burned Jefferson for 42 points in the first half and the Bears could not keep pace.
Jefferson fell to 9-9 despite 21 points by Gabe Gelso, 15 by Trey Oldenburg, 11 by Luke Beaudrie and 10 by Ben Merkel.
Riverview 67, Milan 32
RIVERVIEW – Milan managed just eight points in the middle two quarters combined in falling to 3-15.
“I thought we played hard, but we didn't shoot well and scoring has been an issue for us most of the season,” Milan coach Bobby Green said. “We need to be patient and make better decisions with our passes. The kids are working hard and we definitely have room for improvement.”
Lukas Linzell led Milan with 10 points.
Calumet Christian 67, State Line 36
Quentin Road 48, State Line 41
SCHEREVILLE, INDIANA – State Line dropped its final two games of the Hammond Baptist Tournament, finishing 1-3 during games on Thursday and Friday.
A flat start doomed the Patriots (8-14) during their first game of the day Friday, being outscored 31-12 in the first half, against Calumet Christian. Jackson Baumaker’s 15 points led the Patriots.
They found some footing in their second contest taking a 36-36 tie into the fourth quarter against Quentin Road, but the offensive woes returned and the Patriots put up just five points in the final period allowing Quentin Road to pull away. Cooper Worley poured in 24 points in the losing effort.
During the final two games Friday, Cooper Worley scored 32 points games and Jackson Baumaker accounted for 21 points.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Boys basketball: Flat Rock clinches title; SMCC nips Airport
