Glen Lake graduates Xander Okerlund and Reece Hazelton both had impressive outings when they met on the court in a game that went down to the wire on Jan. 16.
Okerlund plays at Lake Superior State University. Hazelton is a member of the Ferris State University team.
“It was really cool seeing people come to the game. It seems like half the gym was Glen Lake fans. I always like to see a lot of the people that you grew up around come to the game. It’s really supportive and means a lot,” Okerlund said.
This time, Hazelton’s Bulldogs (10-5) got the better of Okerlund’s Lakers (10-5) in a high scoring affair 90-86. Okerlund scored 21 points, 3 assists to lead the Lakers, while Hazelton managed 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists for the Bulldogs. On the season Hazelton averages 10 points, 5 rebounds, and Okerlund contributes 11 points, 4 rebounds a game.
“It just shows how strong the Glen Lake community is… For myself and Xander, to be four or five years out from high school and still have all of that community support that Glen Lake gave us was pretty amazing,” Hazelton said.
Hazelton, a junior, and Okerlund, a fifth-year senior, finally got to see each other on the same court as both played pivotal roles for their teams.
“It’s a lot more fun, especially this last one because we were both really key roles in the game. (Reece) had a good game and I had a really good game,” Okerlund said. “In the past we’ve had different circumstances where we haven’t been on the floor at the same time as much. It’s pretty cool to be really playing against each other for most of the game. I’m definitely looking forward to the next time we play against each other, and potentially a third time if we meet in the tournament.”
Hazelton and Okerlund, along with Maddie and Grace Bradford will be in the same building again on Saturday, February 10 when Ferris State travels to LSSU. The women start at 5:30 and men at 7:30 p.m.
