LocalSportsJournal.com

MCBAIN — It’s hard enough to lose a game by two points, but it’s particularly difficult to swallow when it comes in the tournament. Mason County Central’s boys basketball team had that feeling Friday night when McBain dealt the Spartans a 37-35 defeat in a MHSAA Division 3 district final game at McBain.

Coach Tim Genson is not able to tell his chargers that there’s always the next game, because when a loss comes in the tournament in writes an end to the team’s season.

The Spartans had a bad second quarter which put them in a hole that they couldn’t dig out of, although they came mighty close to bringing home the title.

Mason County Central led, 13-11 at the end of the first quarter. But the Spartans couldn’t keep up the momentum, and were outscored, 12-4 in the second to fall into a 23-17 deficit at the half.

With their defense stepping up in the third quarter to limit McBain’s offense to four points, and scoring nine points the Spartans cut the deficit to one, 27-26 heading into the fourth quarter. McBain hung on with a 10-9 edge in the final eight minutes.

The Spartans were led by Will Chye with 14 points and he also hauled down five rebounds. Kolden Myer finished with eight points and eight rebounds.

McBain was led by Evan Haverkamp who scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Joseph Winkel added 10 points.

The Spartans ended the season with a 7-15 record.