MESICK — A huge third quarter was key as Onekama pushed past Forest Area for a 75-69 win in a Class D district quarterfinal on Monday.

The Portagers (13-8) outscored the Warriors (14-7) 23-11 in the third to turn a five-point deficit into a seven-point lead and they held on down the stretch.

“There’s no question about it, the third quarter was the turning point,” said Onekama coach Jim Hunter. “We held off pressing until the second half with the idea of not giving them halftime to make a lot of adjustments. They had trouble with the press.”

Onekama advances to face host Mesick in a 7:30 p.m. semifinal while Frankfort (16-5), which beat Buckley 80-37 on Monday, will play Bear Lake (12-8) in the other semifinal.

Senior point guard Bryce Reckow led Onekama with 26 points, nine rebounds, five steals, four assists and two blocks.

“Bryce had a real good game for us,” Hunter said. “He’s capable of taking over a game and he did at the right time.”

But, Reckow had plenty of help.

Jarett Sovereign had 14 points, Quinn Matthews 13 with four steals, Joe Eno 11 points and seven rebounds and Derek Hobart scored six.

“It’s tough to beat when you’ve got that kind of scoring across the board,” Hunter said.

The Portagers iced the game at the free throw line by shooting 12-for-14 in the fourth quarter.

Posted in Manistee News Advocate on-line
March 5, 2013