by Ben Murphy
Sports Writer
The Clare boys basketball team carried over their regular season success into the post-season on Wednesday. The Pioneers, taking on Division 2 district tournament host Chippewa Hills, came out of the gates a bit slow, but eventually prevailed with a 66-34 victory.
“We came out flat and were undisciplined on defense in the first half, letting Chip Hills play with us,” head coach Matt Alexander said. “In the third quarter we executed better and really turned things up, allowing us to build a lead. The fourth quarter we kept this momentum going.”
The Pioneers had Dawson John net four points in the opening quarter, helping make it 11-8 after the first quarter.
In the second, Jacob Recker scored five points, Miles Haggart dropped in four and Karson Tocco drilled a three, as the Pioneers led 23-21 at the half.
Al Warner broke free for seven points in the third and Recker netted six more as Clare’s lead grew to 46-26 entering the fourth.
Recker finished with 18 points to lead the way, Haggart netted 10, Lane Ingram scored nine, Warner finished with seven, John chipped in with six, Evan Lake scored all five of his points in the fourth, Tocco also had five points, Clayton Phillips had four and S. Punches chipped in with two.
“This was a team win, we had a lot of guys contribute,” Alexander said. “We will need a good practice (Thursday) for a tough game against Standish (in the district championship).”
On Thursday, March 3 the Pioneers wrapped up the regular season with a Jack Pine Conference home win over Pinconning, 63-24.
“Great way to end the season on senior night,” Alexander said.
Clare jumped to a 20-7 lead after the first quarter and held margins of 40-17 at the half and 61-22 entering the fourth.
Recker scored 12 points in the second half and finished with a game-high 16, Ingram and John put in 11 points apiece, Warner tallied nine, Haggart netted eight and with two apiece was Tocco, Dunn, Lake and Phillips.
“I am extremely proud of this group of guys and the turn-around season they have put together from last season,” Alexander said. “The success that they had this season so far was because they came together with a team first mentality and did whatever was asked of them with the team’s success in mind. We have a tough road ahead of us to make a run but if we stay together and keep playing our style of basketball, we have the ability to make a run.”
Clare (19-2 overall, 14-0 JPC) takes on Standish-Sterling (20-1) today (Friday) for the district championship. The winner moves on to a regional semi-final game on Tuesday over at Big Rapids.
