NEGAUNEE — After suffering their first loss of the young season, the Manton Rangers got right back in the winning column with a 51-40 victory over Kingsford in varsity girls basketball action at the Negaunee Holiday Christmas Tournament on Friday.
The Rangers began the season with a 5-0 record before falling to the host Miners, 57-50, on the first day of the two-day post-Christmas/pre-New Year’s hardwood battle. Negaunee won its home tourney to move to 8-0 with a 15-point W over Baraga, the Division 4 2023 state runner-up.
Manton (6-1) trailed Kingsford after the first quarter, 17-13, but the Rangers’ defense locked down in the second and held Flivvers to just two points for a 26-19 lead at the break. Manton stayed out in front the rest of the way, leading 43-35 after three quarters before locking down the win with another staunch defensive effort in the fourth quarter.
“We came out slow and not ready to play today. I was afraid of that after just playing less than 24 hours earlier,” Manton head coach Jon Katona said. “We settled in and responded well in the second, holding them to two points. We also played through some foul trouble in the second half to hold off a late surge from them. Overall, it was a great tournament, and we are happy with the direction we are going.”
Lauren Wilder picked up a double-double with 19 points, 10 rebounds and three steals while Aubrey Hiller led all scorers with 24 points and hauled in five boards. Kelsey Harding chipped in with five points and four rebounds, and Genna Alexander cleaned up the glass with nine boards.
The Rangers get a brief break before heading to Beal City on Wednesday.
BOYS HOOPS
TC Christian 61
Vestaburg 45
Traverse City Christian: The Sabres won the Marion Holiday Tournament championship. Reece Broderick 18 points; Austin Miller 16 points; Charlie Corwin 8 points.
UP NEXT: The Sabres (7-1) head to Reed City on Wednesday.
TC St. Francis 50
Muskegon WMC 46
Traverse City St. Francis: Max Ogden 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists; Harrison Shepherd 10 points, 4 steals, 3 rebounds; JP Miller 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists; Chris Bobrowski 6 points, 3 assists.
UP NEXT: The Gladiators (3-2, 2-0 Lake Michigan) travel to Big Rapids on Wednesday.
Frankfort 74
Central Lake 68
Central Lake: Garrison Barrett 20 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists; Drayten Evans 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals; Hudson Cassio 13 points, 8 rebounds.
UP NEXT: The Panthers (5-2) travel to Glen Lake on Friday. The Trojans (2-5) head to Forest Area on Wednesday.
Bellaire 51
Reed City 77
Bellaire: Jayden Hanson 24 points, 6 rebounds; Drake Koepke 18 points, 5 assists, 2 steals, 3. Corperryale Somers 4 points, 4 rebounds.
UP NEXT: The Eagles (4-1) continue play in the 2nd Annual Reed City Holiday Tournament against Fremont on Saturday.
Manton 65
Powers North 57
UP NEXT: The Rangers (3-4) travel to Beal City on Tuesday.
Harbor Light 50
Royal Oak 43
UP NEXT: The Swordsmen (6-2) host Grand Traverse Academy on Thursday.
Spring Lake 46
Petoskey 45
UP NEXT: The Northmen (4-5) travel to Gaylord on Friday.
GIRLS HOOPS
Frankfort 58
DH Robichaud 17
UP NEXT: The Panthers (3-2) host Benzie Central on Thursday.