By Ron Rop
LocalSportsJournal.com

ALLENDALE – The Spring Lake Lakers started the MHSAA basketball tournament two games under the .500 mark.

Spring Lake’s Jaden Core (20).

Now, four victories later, the Lakers are among the last 16 teams competing in Division 2. The Lakers advanced to Thursday’s regional final with a 56-42 victory over the Fremont Packers.

Spring Lake now faces Grand Rapids Catholic Central, which defeated Ionia, 70-38, under the watchful eye of University of Michigan basketball coach Juwon Howard, who was checking out Michigan commit Durral “Phat Phat” Brooks. He is one of the finalists for the Mr. Basketball Award in the state of Michigan.

But, the Lakers weren’t worried about a possible matchup with GRCC, not with Fremont standing in their way.

Spring Lake cruised to a 20-3 lead after one quarter, 27-9 at the half and 46-23 heading into the final quarter.

“We had a great first quarter, of course,” said Spring Lake coach Bill Core.

Fremont’s William DeBlake goes in against Wren Dephouse (30).

It was that nightmarish first half that really put Fremont on its heels. The Packers did not hit a basket until the first minute of the second quarter. Their three first-quarter points all came at the free-throw line from Chaz Miller.

“That was about the worst start we could have possibly had,” said Fremont coach Adam Bowen. “We came out flat on both ends, I thought. After the first quarter, I actually thought our defense was pretty good, but in the first half we could not make a shot.”

Fremont had just two field goals in the opening half.

That’s when things started to get a bit interesting as Fremont started chipping away at the lead in a big hurry. Fremont went on a 13-0 run to make it 46-36 with 4 minutes remaining. The Lakers hit some free throws down the stretch, two by Jaden Core and two from Karson George to put the finishing touches on the Laker victory.

Core knew what the problem was. His team was enjoying looking at the scoreboard and didn’t tend to its business. Some uncharacteristic turnovers and a pesky Fremont team that refused to wave the surrender flag and suddenly it was a 10-point game.

“I think that 17- and 18-year-old kids forget what got you that 20-3 lead,” Core said. “What gets you the 20-3 lead is great defense and boxing out and a little bit of luck because Fremont missed some close shots and you’re moving the ball and putting it in the hole.

Spring Lake’s Karson George drives to the bucket.

“Then they start to scoreboard watch,” said Core. “No matter how much we tell them it’s 0-0, they are still 17-year-old kids and, you know, we lost some momentum in the second half. We normally don’t turn it over like that, and we did. Give Fremont a lot of credit, we knew they weren’t going to quit and they are playing their best ball of the year.”

Spring Lake (14-12) was led by Core with 14 points and eight rebounds and Zach Schlepp with 13 points and six rebounds. George finished with eight points.

Fremont (11-15) was sparked by Will DeBlake with 14 points, nine in the fourth quarter, and Miller with 13.

Take a look at more photos from the action shot by the LSJ.