By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com
GRAND HAVEN–The Traverse City St. Francis Gladiators had no answer for Harrison Sorrelle on Friday evening.
The Grand Havens senior poured in 30 points and led the Bucs to a 60-48 victory in the final game of the Lake Michigan Cup Tournament.
Grand Haven finished as co-champions of the tournament along with the Ludington Orioles. Both teams finished 2-0 in the two-day tournament.
Sorrelle, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player, hit four 3-point shots and went 6-of-7 from the free throw line. Sorrelle also grabbed 10 rebounds.
“Obviously, a really nice game for Harrison,” Grand Haven coach Greg Immink said. “I think he has done great job of scoring this year when the opportunities are there.”
The Buccaneers’ offense struggled during the opening eight minutes of action as they held a slim lead, 12-9.
Sorrelle and Grand Haven warmed up in the second quarter and outscored the Gladiators 25-3 to take a 37-12 lead at the half.
“It was a great start and I loved our energy, two games in a row we really came out and got down 7-3 and played a really good first half and I loved the way we competed defensively,” said Immink. “I loved the way our team defense made things tough for them, especially in the first half.:
Sorrelle tossed in 14 points in the second quarter and had eight first-quarter points to lead the first half surge.
St. Francis narrowed the deficit in the second half as they had scoring advantages of 16-10 in the third period and closed out the final eight minutes with a 20-13 edge.
Also scoring in double figures for the Buccaneers was senior Eli Wachter with 11 points.
Joining Sorrelle on the all-tournament team from Grand Haven was senior Nate Stump.
“Really a great weekend for our team and a really great start to the season,” Immink said. “I think going into the season some people doubted our program, and our team, considering the quality of players that we lost from last year.”
Wyatt Nausadis led St. Francis with 22 points.
Grand Haven (5-0) travels to Portage Central on Wednesday, Jan. 4.