Ludington takes down 20-win team, advances to Division 2 regional final game

 

BIG RAPIDS – For the second straight year, the Ludington boys’ basketball team punched its ticket to the finals of the MHSAA Division 2 regional finals.

 

It took some doing, and the Orioles had to overcome some early shooting woes, but they snapped Standish Sterling’s 20-game winning streak Tuesday night with a 57-51 win at Big Rapids.

 

Ludington extended its winning streak to eight straight.

 

Despite some cold shooting of its own, Standish managed to come away from the first quarter with a 10-7 edge.

 

The scoring pace picked up considerably in the second quarter, with the Orioles outpointing the Panthers, 18-14 and held a 25-24 lead at the half.

 

Ludington started the second half with a 10-0 run to bolt into a 35-24 lead in the third period.

 

It was spearheaded by consecutive 3-pointers by Messiah Himes and Micah Spunar.

 

The Orioles ended the quarter with a 41-37 advantage, and held the Panthers at bay with a 16-13 edge in the fourth.

 

Free throw shooting proved to be the difference in the final quarter, with the Orioles canning 10-of-13.

 

Taj Williams had the game’s high total of 21 points for the Orioles, while Cam Gunsell followed with 11 points and also hauled down 11 rebounds. Eight different Orioles scored.

 

Ludington went to 16-8 on the season and heads to Gaylord where they’ll face Kingsford in the regional championship game Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

 

The Panthers finished the season 22-3.