By Craig Beilfuss
LocalSportsJournal.com

BIG RAPIDS– The Parker Hovey show was on full display Wednesday night in Hart’s 62-56 Division 3 district semifinal win over Big Rapids.

The talented 6-5 senior forward scored a game-high 35 points, hauled down 20 rebounds, dished out seven assists and had seven blocked shots. And just for good measure, scored his 1,000th career point.

“The first half I justed created well off the ball screens,” Hovey said. “My guys really trust me with the ball, I was just able to create some space. It felt great, I’m really thankful for my teammates, I can’t get there without them.”

Hovey accounted for 14 of the Pirates 16 first-quarter points as Big Rapids got out to a 18-16 lead.

“He did everything that we came to expect of Parker,” said Hart coach Nick Bronsema. “He’s that dude that will be in before practice and if I can’t get there on time, he’s starting practice. He’s like a coach out there now. He holds the guys accountable in the right way, not by yelling at them and I am telling you right after practice he goes to the shooting machine, it’s like a routine. He’s a freak of nature that way. I’m happy for him because I know things can get stressful with pressure.”

Hovey and his Hart teammates took control of the game during the second quarter as they racked up a 17-3 scoring advantage to take a 33-21 lead at the half.

Hovey scored eight points in the second quarter while junior Blake Weirich tossed in six. Weirich finished with nine points and eight rebounds.

“We were able to build a 12-point halftime lead through belief in defense and players owning their roles like Caleb Bitely and Wyatt Dean,” said Bronsema.

Hart senior sharpshooter guard Diego Escamilla was instrumental in the second half. Escamilla hit a key 3-point shot in the third quarter and went 4-of-4 from the charity stripe to give Hart a 44-36 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

“The first half was tough” Escamilla said. “I couldn’t get any shots off and then my teammates found me sitting there and I was able to knock some down and I just praise my teammates for that. They found me and I shot the ball and luckily they went in.”

Escamilla hit some big throws in the third period.

“Diego is a great teammate,” said Hart assistant coach Joe Tanis. “He plays his role and coach asks everyone to play their role and do it well. Diego shoots the 3 well and plays good defense. Diego did what Diego does and made some big shots and hit four big free throws in a row,”

Big Rapids did cut into Hart’s lead in the third as they outscored the Pirates, 15-11.

Hovey, Escamilla and their Hart teammates secured the win during the final eight minutes. Hovey canned 11 points and Escamilla hit two key shots from beyond the arc. Escamilla finished with 13 points.

Hart (23-0) will face the Cadillac Vikings (19-4) at 7 p.m. Friday night for the district title. Cadillac clobbered Reed City 49-22 in the second semifinal game.

Photos courtesy of LSJ photographer Joe Washington