McBAIN — Onekama scored the game’s first 17 points and didn’t look back.
Well, not much.
The Portagers established early dominance, leading 19-2 after one quarter and holding Whittemore-Prescott without a field goal for the game’s first 10:14 on the way to a 60-36 victory in Tuesday’s Division 4 boys basketball regional semifinal at McBain Northern Michigan Christian.
“We knew we’re going to take care of business from the beginning,” said Onekama senior Tyler Hart, who led all scorers with 22 points, including 4-for-9 from three-point range. “We watched the film. We knew what to do.”
The game was even more lopsided than the final score indicates.
Onekama (16-10) subbed out some starters beginning in the second quarter, leading 30-7 by halftime and starting the third quarter with a 19-4 spurt to lead 49-11 with two minutes left in the third quarter before wholesale changes inserted multiple junior varsity players.
The Cardinals (6-17) responded with a 21-0 run to end the third and start the fourth quarter, prompting Portagers head coach Nathan Bradford to put several starters back in with 3:05 remaining and the lead down to 17 to 49-32. W-P’s Hunter Clayton hit a long 3-pointer as time expired.
Whittemore came into the postseason on a 16-game losing streak, but posted wins over AuGres (6-17), Mio (10-11) and Fairview (12-10) by a combined seven points to take its first district title since 2018. Five of the Cardinals’ 10 varsity players are freshmen.
Onekama advances to play No. 3-ranked Traverse City Christian (25-0), which knocked off Ellsworth (18-7) by a 72-50 score in the opening game at NMC.
It’s the first regional finals appearance for Onekama since 1997, when Bradford was a senior there.
“Same place, in this gym,” Bradford said. “We played Muskegon West Michigan Christian, and it was a good game, back and forth. We pulled away at the end. Hopefully we get a little luck in the same gym. I told the kids, ‘Believe and keep working hard, and good things will happen.'”
Mitchell Falk added eight points, Carson Bradford seven, Garrett Desarmeaux six and Bennett Zeller five as 10 different Portagers reached the scoring column. Zeller produced six steals and Hart five, while Luke Bradford had four points, four rebounds and four assists.
The 1997 Portagers made it to the semifinals.
“It’s been a while,” Hart said of the regional finals. “It’s exciting to go back. I’m hoping that we can continue our streak and get that dub again Thursday.”
Scout Holshoe scored 13 to lead Whittemore-Prescott, with Blaine Zuchnik and Clayton scoring seven each and Bow Lauria four.
The Portagers and Sabres haven’t played in more than a year, with Onekama winning 53-46 at home Jan. 3, 2025.
“Traverse City Christian, they get up and down quick,” Nathan Bradford said. “They’re strong with the basketball. They hit the boards hard, and we have to make sure we stop them in transition. They take care of the basketball.”
“They’re a good team,” Hart said. “They have a lot of hustle, good defense. They have some scorers. We have to play some good D and get those rebounds. Rebounds and defense is how you win the game.”