By Greg Gielczyk
LocalSportsJournal.com
MANISTEE — Mason County Eastern’s boys basketball team snapped a three-game losing streak Wednesday night with a 64-30 romp over Manistee Catholic Central.
The Cardinals made the trip to Manistee for the West Michigan D League game.
It wasn’t much of a contest after the Cardinals shut out the Sabers, 16-0, in the first quarter. Eastern bounded into the half with a 20-8 lead.
Eastern built a 49-20 cushion after three.
“Our kids have played pretty hard the last two weeks and the energy level’s been higher,” Eastern coach Mark Forner said. “We just haven’t been able to put together four quarters.
“We’re good for about three and then we get a little tired in the fourth. We came out strong today. We really emphasized rebounding, and the kids did a pretty nice job. It was a little tough with a snow day today. The kids lay around and play video games all day. Manistee Catholic does a nice job. It was about our kids playing hard.”
The young Sabers are working hard at getting better.
“We’re struggling. We’re young,” Sabers coach Bill Sturgeon said. “The guys can do it. I know they can. It’s just a confidence thing right now. We’ve been averaging just around 60 shots a game, so that’s good. It’s just a matter of getting them to start dropping. Maybe a little less on the 3’s. They have to start attacking the basket more to get fouls.
“It’s a learning curve for us. The one thing I can say for these guys is that no matter what the score is, I’ve never had one of them quit on me.”
Senior leader Clay Shoup knocked down three 3-point goals and led the Cardinals with 21 points, Trent Hawke finished with 12 and Zachary Howe had 11.
Landyn Keyquom hit on three 3-point shots and led the Sabers with 13 points.
The Cardinals improved to 3-8 overall and 2-6 in the WMD. Eastern concludes a busy week with its homecoming game against Walkerville on Friday night.
Manistee Catholic is mired in a five-game losing streak. The Sabers fell to 2-8 overall and 2-6 in the WMD. It doesn’t get any easier for the Sabers as they host Brethren (7-3, 6-1 WMD) Friday night.
