Force showdown with Eagles
The Leland boys basketball (3-18) team defeated Frankfort (11-11) Monday 52-49 in a predistrict showdown hosted by Suttons Bay.
“We were getting closer and closer to a victory, and we got Benzie at home on senior night, and that was a big spirit lifter,” Leland coach Ryan DeFour said. “We thought we could do it, and we knew what we needed to do ... it’s a good first win, and we’re looking forward to the rest of the district-run,” Leland junior Adrian Spencer finished the game with 25 points. Spencer has scored 50 points over the last two games.
“It’s big for us because we’ve been in so many close games all season. (Our record) didn’t reference us well, and we knew that, so we came out and won,” Spencer said. “We have to keep our confidence, but we can’t get too confident because you still got to come out and play our game.”
The Comets led 11-9 after the first quarter, but the Panthers took the lead early in the second quarter, 14-11.
Frankfort took a 25-20 lead into halftime.
Leland fell behind by as many as 10 points to begin the third quarter before cutting the lead to three at the beginning of the fourth quarter, 36-33.
Both teams scored only seven points throughout the first four minutes of the fourth, then Leland turned on the jets thanks to streaky shooting from Spencer and freshman Chris Knudsen.
The Comets would take a fivepoint lead with 2:30 left (46-41). Leland would ice the game from the free-throw line to capture the incredible victory.
The win sets up a battle with Lake Leelanau St. Mary at 7 p.m. Wednesday as of press time.
“We just had that six-game streak where we’ve been playing so well, but to get those two wins in a row against Benzie and now against Frankfort is just a huge confidence boost,” Leland senior Brady Keen said.
The Comets relied on the entire team, going 10 players deep to secure the victory.
Ravello Smith led defensively, and Knudsen sparked an incredible second-half run.
Frankfort seniors Carter Kerby and Tristin Griffin led the Panthers with 21 and 14 points, respectively.
The Panthers end the season 11-11.
“We’re just gonna make sure that everybody knows their specifi c role. Everybody’s got a role to play. Make sure everybody knows what they gotta do, and we’re going execute,” DeFour said.
Suttons Bay lost to Buckley 40-39 in heartbreaking fashion Monday.
The Bears were led by Landon Kulawiak, who scored 14 points, Coy Breithaupt, 10 points, and Gavin Liebler, who scored 10 points.
Suttons Bay seniors Urijah Two-Crow and Grayson Opie finished their last game in the red and white strong with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Buckley plays TC Christian Wednesday at 7 p.m.
