The Cherryland Conference boys' basketball season is off, but didn't run far before taking a Christmas break.

The conference season started Friday when the Leelanau School fell to Traverse City Christian, 70-34, despite the efforts of Zach Stanz. It was the only Cherryland game scheduled in December.

Stanz scored 18 points for the Thunderbirds, who fell to 1-2 overall. Leelanau School, with most of its students residing out of the area, is now off until hosting Christian on Jan. 11.
Other Cherryland teams were at or closing in on the .500 mark .

St. Mary hopes to even its season record to 2-2 tonight when it hosts the Traverse City Bulldogs.

The Eagles fell to 1-2 at home against Bear Lake, 74-58,  on Dec. 12.

Bear Lake jumped out to a 23-15 in the first quarter and increase its advantage over the Eagles at halftime, 36-27.

St. Mary came as close as four points midway through the third quarter, but could get no closer as the Lakers outscored St. Mary in the final eight minutes, 25-19.

Tim Wigton led the Eagles with 16. Juniors Kienan Sutton and Adam Peplinski had 13 and 12 points, respectively, in the losing effort.

Northport, meanwhile, has rebounded nicely after losing lopsided contests its first two times out. The Wildcats set back Alba last Thursday, 38-28, for their third straight win before falling to 3-3 with a 41-29 loss to Forest Area Monday.

Northport coach Jeff Tropf took satisfaction even in the Forest Area loss, noting that the Warriors had beaten Alba 70-20 earlier this season. Northport trailed just 28-26 at halftime.

"I thought we played a great first half," said Tropf. "We were right there."

Basil Stowe scored 10 points while Jessie Bressette added 6. Credit Jason Tropf with 6 rebounds and 7 blocks.

The Wildcats relied on defense, hitting just 11-of-46 shots, in beating Alba. Three players contributed most of their scoring with Stowe and Bressette providing 13 points each, and Tropf adding 10 to go with 6 rebounds and 6 blocks. Bressette grabbed 5 rebounds, while Ryan Blessing was credited with 3 steals.

Northport is idle until the Frankfort Tournament, scheduled for Dec. 28-29.

St. Mary will host the home-schooled Bulldogs tonight and travel to Leland Friday. The Eagles will participate in the T-C St. Francis holiday tournament Dec. 28-29.