A GLEN LAKE player is surrounded by Suttons Bay defenders in last week’s regular season finale.

Glen Lake may have been the underdog entering a District Class C matchup last night with Charlevoix, but it won’t be defenseless.

A GLEN LAKE player is surrounded by
Suttons Bay defenders in last week's
regular season finale.

In fact, defense was the reason the Lakers finished their regular season with four Northwest Conference wins, and advanced Monday in the District with a 56-50 decision over Suttons Bay.

“Definitely, it’s been our defense,” said Glen Lake coach Todd Hazelton. “We’re holding teams to 55 points or under, and if you do that you are either in the game or going to win the game.”

Holding first Charlevoix – and then likely Friday foe Traverse City St. Francis in the District final – to a reasonable number of points will prove challenging. The Red Rayders are known for a full-court press that forces teams to gamble and lose, often resulting in fast break points. St. Francis is paced by 6-foot-8 center-forward-guard Holden Greiner, who has the height to look down on the Laker front line.

Then again, the Lakers have been saving their best for last this season.

“It’s been fun,” said Hazelton, whose team improved to 12-9 overall and has been playing in front of enthusiastic Laker crowds resembling those that watched their favorite teams advance in past tournaments. “My favorite line is, ‘We have practice at 3:30 tomorrow.’”

Should Glen Lake capture the District — a longshot, Hazelton admits, although he says the Lakers “have the athletes to do it” — they would play Monday and possibly Wednesday in Regional play hosted by Gaylord.

That hardly leaves time for Hazelton to enjoy Monday’s third win over Suttons Bay this season.

“It’s tough to beat a good team like Suttons Bay a third time,” said Hazelton.

Especially when you find yourself down for much of the game.

Suttons Bay led 14-11 after one period and 29-23 at halftime. The Lakers outscored the Norse 16-6 in the third period to take the lead, and led by 9 with six minutes to go.

Then the Norsemen surged ahead 50-49 with 1:30 left to play.

“We changed defenses and put some (half-court) pressure on them,” said Suttons Bay coach Todd Hursey. “We made some things happen.”

But Kyle Klumpp’s bank shot gave Glen Lake the lead for good as the Lakers scored 6 of the last 7 points.

Hazelton credited Aaron King and Jack Drow with holding down Suttons Bay’s outside shooters, and freshman forward Matt O’Brien with a steady floor game while scoring 12 points. Ryan Dyksterhouse scored 16, and Klumpp added 14.

The Norsemen were paced by Ben Walters with 14 points. Andy Wheelock scored 11 and freshman Dwuan Anderson added 9.

The loss ended one season for Suttons Bay at 10-11, but began anticipation for the future of the program, Hursey said. The Norsemen return 10 of 14 players, including two freshmen and one sophomore brought up to the varsity this season. They will also draw from a junior varsity team that finished 17-3.

“We’re excited about the future,” said Hursey, who said he might return next season. He took over mid-season for coach Ken Hunter after taking two years off from the head position. Hunter resigned due to health concerns.

Hursey also bid farewell to senors Nalen Brockman, Craig Jasinski, Nick Loberg and Wheelock, “They did a great job,” he said.