by Ben Murphy
Sports Writer
For their standards, it was a bit of a slow start. The McBain Northern Michigan Christian boys basketball team still got going in their home Division 4 district semi-final game on Wednesday though, having little trouble with Pentwater in what was a 70-29 thumping.
“We came out a bit out of sync in the first half,” head coach Kyle Benthem said. “We weren’t as effective on the offensive end and we were turning the ball over. Second half, we were able to correct and play good basketball. It was good to get back in the rhythm of playing after six days off.”
NMC held an 18-7 lead after the first quarter and 32-11 at the half, and had a running clock by the end of the third, 62-22.
Trevin Winkle was able to score 23 points and grab seven rebounds, Blake DeZeeuw had 15 points, Ethan Bennett added nine points and Nathan Eisenga chipped in with seven.
On Thursday, NMC wrapped up the regular season at crosstown rival McBain and played its way to a 44-29 Highland Conference victory.
“Very defensive game,” Benthem said. “We relied on defense when our offense wasn’t clicking. Credit to McBain, they held us to 16 points in the first half. The third quarter we settled in a bit offensively and we were able to hit some shots. Very happy with Ethan Bennett’s presence inside.”
The Comets led this one 12-0 after the first quarter and led 16-6 after a low-scoring second frame. After three, it was a 30-13 Comet lead.
Winkle poured in 14 points and had five rebounds, DeZeeuw had 10 points and Bennett added eight points and six rebounds.
NMC (21-0) plays Baldwin (18-4) today for the district championship. The winner moves on to Tuesday’s regional semi-final game in Kingsley.
