CHARLEVOIX — The year was 1929.
That’s the last time Elk Rapids won a boys basketball regional title.
“I just looked at our record books and our last regional was 1929,” Elk Rapids coach Kevin Ball said. “This game has been an Achilles heel for us to get by. We have done it a couple of times, so hopefully it is the beginning of good things for us.”
The Elks beat the Ski Valley Conference champion East Jordan 55-42 in a Division 3 regional semifinal game Tuesday hosted by Charlevoix to earn their spot in the regional final.
Elk Rapids was led by Cameron Kerfoot with 16 points. Jayden Heresko had 10 and Mason Cannon finished the night with eight.
Elk Rapids won the tipoff and Kerfoot hit a 3-pointer on the first shot of the game from the corner to set the pace.
“The goal was to pressure them and speed them up and make them uncomfortable,” Ball said. “I thought we started pretty good in the first half and got some easy buckets and then we kind of went cold.”
The Elks went into the half leading 22-9.
East Jordan outscored the Elks in the third quarter 19-14, and came within eight points. However, Elk Rapids would not relinquish the lead.
All told, the Elks had seven 3-pointers to East Jordan’s four.
William Webb led East Jordan with 12 points, Hadley McCafferty scored 11 points and Trace Wynkoop finished the night with six points.
“Our boys just fight,” Ball said. “They do their best to make it difficult. They stick to the game plan and so far it is working.”
Elk Rapids came into the district final with a 20-3 record, while East Jordan stood at 22-2.
Elk Rapids faces Menominee (21-4), which defeated Ispheming Westwood (23-2) 59-46 to avenge a 55-52 regular-season loss to the Patriots. The Maroons’ last loss was 62-60 to Traverse City Central at the Northern Michigan Showcase at TC St. Francis more than two weeks ago.
The regional final is slated for 7 p.m. Friday at the JL DeCook Gymnasium in Newberry.
“We have went through a lot of adversity this season,” Ball said. “It has taken a long time to get a 11 guys healthy. Our guys are able to step up when they need to. To be where we are at is special.”
The coach said no matter who his team plays next it is going to be a tough contest.
“Menominee knocked us out two years ago,” Ball said. “We are kind of familiar with them. … We will need to play better than we did tonight to have a shot.”