BUCKLEY — The Kalkaska Blazers will have a shot at the championship of the annual Buckley Holiday Tournament after pulling out a nail-biter of a comeback win against Manton on Thursday.
Trailing the Rangers (0-7) by 15 at halftime, the Blazers (4-3) managed to win by the slimmest of margins in a 55-54 final at Buckley. Kalkaska managed to take the lead in the waning minutes and weathered a last-second shot from the Rangers that would have won the game had it not rolled off the rim.
Jackson Shetler led Kalkaska with 16 points followed by Hunter Wilkinson with nine, Zachary Porter with eight, and Hunter Semak scoring seven. All four contributed points in the fourth quarter as the Blazers completed the come-from-behind victory.
Despite being so close to their first win of the season, the Rangers will have to continue to wait for victory No. 1. Jaxsen Salani, Reece Traxler and Jackson Schaub all paced Manton with nine points apiece. Traxler had six rebounds, and Salani had five.
In the second half of the doubleheader, Marion was victorious over Buckley by a 61-36 final. Landon Kulawiak led the Bears (2-4) with 20 points, and Coy Breithaupt chipped in with 11 points.
The Buckley Holiday Tournament concludes Friday with the consolation game between Manton and Buckley set for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff and the championship game between Kalkaska and Marion (3-3) to follow.
GIRLS WRESTLING
Titans improve to 4-0 in dual meets
PINE RIVER — The Traverse City West girls wrestling team went 2-0 in dual action at Pine River on Thursday.
The Titans, who are now 4-0 in dual meets, defeated Pine River via tiebreaker for a 37-36 win. They also beat Manton, 48-6.
Picking up two wins for West were Audrina Redmond, Abby Farkas, Addie Mathie, Alex Moeser, Abbey Dahl and Payton Becker.
The Titans travel to Grand Haven for the Adam H. Provencal Girls Tournament on Saturday.
Manton went 0-2 on Thursday, falling to Traverse City West and to host Pine River, 36-6.
Kennedi Wahmhoff tallied two more wins as she inches closer to being the first girl in school history to eclipse 100 wins for Manton.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Ramblers go 1-1 at Little Caesars
DETROIT — Boyne City’s boys and girls team went 1-1 at the home of the Detroit Pistons on Thursday as both teams took on Plymouth Christian.
The Boyne City girls picked up a 43-39 victory in the early game, but the Rambler boys were unable to complete the sweep after losing 58-52.
Jaden Alger led the boys team with 17 points. Owen Hewitt added a dozen, and Ryan Spate contributed eight points in the loss.
The Boyne girls improved to 2-3 with the win and travel to Mancelona on Friday. The Rambler boys fell to 1-5 and host Clare on Friday.
Huskies, Vikings compete at Cornerstone University Holiday Showcase
GRAND RAPIDS — Benzie Central notched a thrilling overtime win over Muskegon Heights at the Cornerstone University’s Holiday Showcase on Thursday.
The 72-62 OT victory improves the Huskies to 3-4 on the season, and Muskegon Heights drops to 3-6. Coopersville (4-4) got the better of Cadillac (5-2) in the other game, 56-50.
The Vikings continue play in the holiday showcase Saturday when they take on Greenville. The Huskies next play when they host Frankfort on Wednesday.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Onekama 53
Pine River 49
Onekama: Ava Mauntler 34 points; Brenna Johnson 11 points.
UP NEXT: The Portagers (6-0) travel to Leland on Tuesday.