McDonald tops 1,000-point milestone in Fremont victory over Manistee

By Greg Gielczyk
LocalSportsJournal.com

MANISTEE — Fremont senior Jordon McDonald became the ninth player in program history to reach the 1,000-point career milestone Thursday night in the Packers’ 55-40 victory over host Manistee.

The game was the regular-season finale for both teams.

When he hit the historic basket midway through the fourth quarter, the game was halted briefly and McDonald was summoned to the sideline where his teammates gathered around him and a couple of banners bearing the legend “1,000 points Jordan McDonald” were unfurled.

“Jordon is going to average over 20 points per game for the second year in a row and he will go down as one of the best players to put on a uniform for Fremont,” said Packers coach Adam Bowen.

Then it was back to work as the Packers completed their demolition of the Chippewas.

McDonald finished with 26 points, on 12-of-15 shooting from the field, to lead all scorers. He also had five rebounds and three steals.

It was a tight game early, with the Chippewas rallying from a five-point deficit to tie the game, 7-7, just about halfway through the period on a 3-pointer from Mason Gunnett and a 12-foot jumper by Ben Schlaff.

Manistee tied it again, 9-9, when Jacob Scharp found the range for a short jumper. But the Packers ended the quarter with a 14-11 edge when Ben Mellema knocked down a triple.

Fremont went on a 12-0 run in the second quarter with Owen Snyder and Chaz Miller each hitting a 3-pointer to kick things off. Fremont led 22-11 early in the second quarter.

McDonald threw down a two-handed dunk late in the second quarter and finished with six points as the Packers went into the half with a 34-19 lead.

The Packers extended their lead to 40-21 early in the third quarter with a 6-2 surge. McDonald again threw in six points as Fremont mounted a 44-32 lead at the end of three.

Fremont kept a double figure lead throughout the fourth quarter, helped by its defense which frustrated the Manistee offense and limited the Chippewas’ opportunities.

Miller and Gavin Richards scored eight points apiece for the Packers. Miller dished out nine assists and picked off three steals. Richards also had eight rebounds.

Gunnett drilled three 3-pointers and finished with 13 points to lead Manistee. Ethan Edmondson contributed eight points, Schlaff had six and Scharp added five.

Fremont (9-10, 4-5 WMC Lakes) received a first-round bye and will play the winner of the Newaygo-Grant game on Wednesday in the Division 2 district at Comstock Park.

The Chippewas (5-16, 1-10 WMC Lakes) move on to the Division 3 district tournament at Mason County Central, where they will take on Shelby in a quarterfinal matchup on Monday night.