GRAYLING — A win is a fine way to return, and that’s exactly what the Grayling Vikings got as they were back in varsity girls basketball action at home Tuesday after a week off.
The Vikings escaped with a 52-45 nailbiter of a win against Boyne City (6-6, 3-3 Lake Michigan), with Makayla Watkins leading the pack with 20 points.
“To say I am proud of this team is an understatement. They continue to show their determination and grit for all four quarters,” Grayling head coach Daniel Brandt said.
The Vikings haven’t played since last Tuesday and were scheduled to play against Traverse City St. Francis last Thursday, but that game was canceled and left the Vikings with extra days to practice.
Grayling had a comfortable lead for most of the contest until the Ramblers made it a two-point game with under a minute in the fourth quarter. The Vikings had several defensive stops and sunk in crucial free throws as the clock was winding down to put the game out of reach.
The Vikings saw contributions from Emma Kuziel (11 points), Cali D’Amour (six points), Alison Helinski (six points) and Amanda Lewis (five points).
Delaney Little led things for the Ramblers with 11 points, and Mackensy Wilson finished with 10.
The Vikings (6-5, 3-2 Lake Michigan) look to extend their winning streak to three games at Charlevoix on Thursday. The Ramblers end their two-game road trip at Harbor Springs on Thursday.
GIRLS HOOPS
TC Central 46
Petoskey 41
Traverse City Central: Lucia France 19 points, 17 rebounds; Jakiah Brumfield 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals; Lorelai Zielinski 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals; Kylie Ball 3 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists.
UP NEXT: The Trojans (6-3, 4-0 Big North) travel to Cadillac on Friday. Petoskey (8-5, 2-3 Big North) travels to Alpena on Friday.
Harbor Springs 52
Charlevoix 43
Charlevoix: Abbey Wright 20 points, 10 rebounds; Anna Kemp 12 points, 9 rebounds, 5 steals; Bayani Collins 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals
UP NEXT: The Rams (9-2, 5-1 Lake Michigan) host Boyne City on Thursday. The Rayders (5-6, 3-4 Lake Michigan) Grayling on Thursday.
Lake City 51
Evart 31
Lake City: MacKenzie Bisballe 19 points, 4 rebounds; Alie Bisballe 15 points, 18 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4 assists; Payton Hogan 9 points, 5 rebounds; Baylie; Eisenga 4 points, 6 assists; Hannah Vasicek 4 points.
UP NEXT: The Trojans (10-2, 8-1 Highland) host Houghton Lake on Thursday.
Elk Rapids 65
Kalkaska 32
Elk Rapids: Kendall Standfest 22 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists; Morgan Bergquist 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 steals; Hunter Shellenbarger 6 points; Anna Pray 5 points, 4 assists; Haleigh Yocom 4 points, 5 rebounds.
UP NEXT: The Elks (11-1, 6-0 Lake Michigan) host Traverse City St. Francis on Thursday. The Blazers (0-8, 0-5 Lake Michigan) travel to East Jordan on Thursday.
Manistee 39
Muskegon OR 33
Manistee: Libby McCarthy 14 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals.
UP NEXT: The Mariners (5-5, 4-1 West Michigan Lakes) host Fremont on Thursday.
Manton 45
McBain 30
Manton: Lauren Wilder 22 points, 8 steals; Aubrey Hiller 12 points, 7 steals; Angela Porter 8 points, 4 rebounds.
UP NEXT: The Rangers (10-2, 7-1 Highland) travel to Evart on Friday. The Ramblers (3-5, 3-3 Highland) travel to Beal City on Thursday.
Beal City 46
McBain NMC 21
UP NEXT: The Comets (1-9, 1-7 Highland) host Roscommon on Thursday.
Cadillac 42
Kingsley 28
UP NEXT: The Vikings (7-2, 2-1 Big North) travel to Traverse City Central on Friday. The Stags (7-5, 4-2 Northwest) host Leland on Friday.
BOYS HOOPS
TC St. Francis 55
East Jordan 47
Traverse City St. Francis: Max Ogden 18 points, 3 rebounds; Harrison Shepherd 16 points, 5 steals, 3 rebounds; JP Miller 8 points, 8 rebounds.
East Jordan: Korbyn Russell 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists; Lucas Stone 14 points, 3 rebounds; Angel Delgado 8 points, 5 rebounds.
UP NEXT: The Gladiators (7-4, 6-1 Lake Michigan) host Elk Rapids on Friday. The Red Devils (4-7, 0-6 Lake Michigan) travel to Bellaire on Wednesday.
Grand Ledge 74
TC Central 49
Traverse City Central: Owen Ribel 18 points; Brendan Slack 15 points; Jaden Clark 7 points 6 rebounds; Ethan Rademacher 3 steals.
UP NEXT: The Trojans (2-10, 2-4 Big North) travel to Ludington on Thursday.
TC Christian 67
Bear Lake 33
Traverse City Christian: Reece Broderick 13 points.
UP NEXT: The Sabres (9-5) travel to Alanson on Tuesday. The Lakers (3-10, 2-7 West Michigan D) host Mesick on Friday.
Whitehall 58
Cadillac 56
Cadillac: Charlie Howell 29 points, 7 rebounds; Eli Main 12 points.
UP NEXT: The Vikings (11-1, 6-0 Big North) host Dearborn Fordson for the Jeff Mcdonald Memorial Showcase on Saturday.
Glen Lake 69
Suttons Bay 52
Glen Lake: Jacob Plamondon 31 points, 10 rebounds; Dylan Cundiff 7 points, 10 rebounds; Benji Allen 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists; Cooper Bualini 6 points, 2 rebounds; Gage Bakers 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists.
Suttons Bay: Finn Mankowski 19 points, 5 rebounds, 4 blocks; Grayson Opie 8 points, 8 rebounds; Urijah TwoCrow 8 points, 3 rebounds
UP NEXT: The Lakers (9-2, 5-0 Northwest) host Benzie Central on Thursday. The Norsemen (4-7, 1-6 Northwest) travel to Leland on Thursday.
Benzie Central 58
Buckley 42
Benzie Central: Jaxson Childers 14 points; Andrew Gray 13 points; Rowan Zickert 16 points.
Buckley: Landon Kulawiak 8 points; Jeremiah Pasbjerg 13 points; Coleman Yuresko 8 points.
UP NEXT: The Huskies (9-2, 6-0 Northwest) travel to Glen Lake on Thursday. The Bears (8-6, 4-4 Northwest) travel to Frankfort on Thursday.
Frankfort 61
Onekama 45
Frankfort: Eli Leitart 20 points, 8 rebounds; Carter Kerby 11 points, 9 rebounds; Tristin Griffin 8 points, 11 assists; Emmerson Farmer 8 points.
Onekama: Caden Bradford 14 points, 1 assist; Tyler Hart 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals; Luke Bradford 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals; Arden Bradford 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals.
UP NEXT: The Panthers (9-4, 5-2 Northwest) host Buckley on Thursday. The Portagers (6-6, 2-4 Northwest) host Kingsley on Thursday.
Elk Rapids 69
Kalkaska 16
Elk Rapids: Jayden Hresko 14 points, 3 steals, 4 blocks; Haven Somers 12 points, 6 assists; Christian Kerfoot 9 points, 4 blocks, 3 assists; Wyatt Bargy 8 points.
UP NEXT: The Elks (6-7, 5-2 Lake Michigan) travel to Traverse City St Francis on Friday. The Blazers (1-11, 0-6 Lake Michigan) travel to East Jordan on Friday.
Gaylord SM 48
Forest Area 34
Gaylord St. Mary: Daniel Jacobson 21 points; Rylan Matelski 17 points.
UP NEXT: The Snowbirds (8-4, 6-3 Ski Valley) Pellston on Thursday. Forest Area (3-10, 0-8 Ski Valley) travels to Onaway on Thursday.
Harbor Springs 63
Charlevoix 44
Harbor Springs: Rider Bartel 22 points; Braden Flynn 20 points.
Charlevoix: Joe Gaffney 13 points; Logan Wadkins 11 points; Peyton Scott 8 points.
UP NEXT: The Rams (8-5, 5-3 Lake Michigan) travel to Boyne City on Friday. The Rayders (10-3, 4-3 Lake Michigan) travel to Grayling on Friday.
Kingsley 57
Leland 45
Kingsley: Chase Bott 10 points, 3 steals; Skylar Workman 9 points, 4 steals; Eli Graves 9 points, 2 steals.
UP NEXT: The Stags (6-7, 3-4 Northwest) travel to Onekama on Thursday. The Comets (3-9, 0-6 Northwest) host Suttons Bay on Thursday.
Boyne City 52
Grayling 49
UP NEXT: The Ramblers (9-5, 5-3 Lake Michigan) host Harbor Springs on Friday. The Vikings (6-5, 2-3 Lake Michigan) travel to Elk Rapids on Wednesday.
Harbor Light 56
Ellsworth 39
UP NEXT: The Swordsmen (11-2, 5-1 Northern Lakes) travel to Wolverine on Friday. The Lancers (3-9, 2-3 Northern Lakes) travel to Mackinaw City on Friday.
Inland Lakes 70
Joburg 42
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs (7-5, 6-3 Ski Valley) host Bellaire on Thursday. The Cardinals (2-12, 2-7 Ski Valley) host Mancelona on Thursday.