|
Undefeated and ranked No. 4 in Class B, Petoskey passed its first major test in the Big North Conference with a 59-41 win at Class A Traverse City West. While star junior Cory Starkey scored 22 for the Northmen, it was their depth and versatility that made the difference against a West team most peg as the No. 2 team in the league.
The Titans picked up their defensive intensity in the second half, and had cut the visiting team's lead to three with a minute to play in the third quarter. That's when 6-2 Petoskey sophomore Zak Lewis used a little free-up dribble and, though still heavily guarded, drained a three-pointer. That gave P-town a 41-35 lead and it never looked back. The game was effectively over with 5:25 left in the game when senior point guard Grant Tracy was right on the money with a sweet assist to a streaking Starkey for a 50-37 advantage.
6-5 senior Joe Keedy had a terrific game for Petoskey. He's a matchup nightmare at the high school level because he's big enough to bang, even against a thick and tall frontline like TC West's, while also being able to step out, handle and distribute the ball. He passed alertly out of the post, and also dribbled through the Titans' pressure.
West could do little with Starkey, a 6-6 junior and Petoskey's latest D1 recruit, but foul him. Unfortunately for the Titans, he made 9-of-13 from the line. Jake Fisher, West's 6-6 junior center, is a physical specimen, but won't be an impediment to a skilled player of a similar height, like Starkey, until his skills and hoops IQ improve.
6-2 senior Evan Schultz was West's leading scorer, thanks to some aggressive takes and soft touch in the lane. But he's a point guard, and West had no other perimeter offense. Its best forward, 6-5 senior Aaron Olsen, was repeatedly able to beat his man on the first step, but with the bulk of the Northmen plus a shotblocker in Starkey, his 11 and 8 were tough earned. |
