Local Sports Journal
Mason County Central will play for a Class B regional championship when they face Cadillac on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Petsoskey High School.
The Spartans advanced to the regional finals with a 59-46 win over Newaygo on Monday night.
MCC will face Cadillac, which beat Escanaba 55-52 in the other semifinal on Monday night.
MCC (19-4) got off to a slow start as they trailed 11-6 after one qurter.
“We had a bad first quarter. We weren’t strong with the ball. Wasn’t sure if it was jitters or if we were too loose,” said MCC coach Jeff Tuka.
Newaygo led 42-41 entering the final quarter as Heath Harrington connected on three 3-pointers in the third quarter.
Kody Ambrose kept MCC close in the third quarter scoring 10 points.
MCC used good defense in the final quarter to pull away.
The Spartans outscored Newaygo 18-4 in the final quarter.
“We had a little more depth than they did. We are a running tream and we were able to do that all game,” said Tuka. “Our defensive intensity was able to keep up and their shots were short so I think fatigue set in.”
Ambrose led MCC with 24 points and five assists.
Josh Ritzema scored 13 and Johnny Shafer added 11 for the Spartans.
Zack Knight led Newaygo with 13 points and Harrignton scored 11.
This was MCC’s first reaginal win since 1998.
“Cadillac is very stingey defensively. They play a very physical brand of basetkball,” said Tuka.
