EAST JORDAN — Only one varsity basketball game took place Friday in northern Michigan as a massive winter snowstorm closed in.
Harbor Springs notched a 68-43 boys basketball road win at East Jordan in literally the only game in town — or for many towns surrounding it, for that matter.
The game time was moved up to 5:30 p.m. to finish ahead of the impending storm that caused dozens of other varsity contests to be called off.
“We were just happy to get that game in before the weather got bad,” Rams head coach John Flynn said. “Moving up the start time to 4 p.m. for JV really helped.”
Rider Bartell scored a game-high 21 points — including four first-quarter 3-pointers — with Braeden Flynn adding 14 and Collin Lang and Ryan Novak with 10 each for Harbor Springs (6-4, 3-2 Lake Michigan Conference).
“We really came out focused and ready to play from the tip,” John Flynn said. “We made it a point of emphasis the last few days to get off to a fast start and I thought we did that tonight. Rider Bartel came out hot and hit five threes the first half and Braeden Flynn made plays both offense and defensively as well.”
Angel Delgado led the Red Devils (3-4, 0-3 LMC) with 10 points, William Webb added eight, Trace Wynkoop seven, Ellis Malpass six and Korbyn Russel five. Delgado grabbed a team-high six rebounds, while Russell and Lucas Stone each logged five and Wynkoop and Malpass four. Malpass also blocked two shots.
“In the second half Collin Lang really stepped up and contributed, especially in the third quarter,” John Flynn said. “We knew East Jordan wouldn’t go away, and we did a really good job matching their intensity in the second half. Every guy found ways to make plays and contribute and I am really proud of our win on the road.”
Flynn said the crowd in East Jordan was solid, especially considering the weather outside.
“The crowd and atmosphere was really nice,” he said. “Changing times last minute and with this weather, we weren’t sure how many people would make it out, but it was a good crowd.”
East Jordan, which also had its league game Tuesday against Grayling postponed, travels Tuesday to Charlevoix, while the Rams visit Traverse City St. Francis on Tuesday.
“Credit to Harbor, they hit some tough shots early and we just couldn’t get a shot to fall all game,” East Jordan head coach Nate Dzwik said. “Our kids played hard all game and with a good amount of energy. Tough game, but we have to get ready for Charlevoix on Tuesday.”
All other varsity basketball games and hockey aside from the Rick Deneweth Memorial North/South Showcase were postponed by the incoming storm.
Some of the boys basketball contests have already been rescheduled, including Boyne City at TC St. Francis for Wednesday, Frankfort at Kingsley for Monday, Kalkaska at Charlevoix on Feb. 21, Marion at Bear Lake for Feb. 16, Burt Lake NMCA at Ellsworth on Feb. 2 (with the originally-scheduled Feb. 2 date with Boyne Falls moved up a day), Mancelona at Forest Area for Jan. 19, Johannesburg-Lewiston at Gaylord St. Mary to Thursday, Big Rapids Crossroads at Mesick on Monday and Bellaire at Onaway moving to part of a Jan. 19 tripleheader starting at 5 p.m.
Traverse City Central’s girls basketball game at Alpena has been moved to Feb. 6.
Most Saturday events have been postponed as well, including Traverse City Central’s 10-team wrestling tournament that would’ve been held at the Grand Traverse Resort and all Great Northern High School Bowling Conference matches at Lucky Jacks. The North-South Showcase games at Centre Ice Arena are moving forward as scheduled.