CHEBOYGAN – It was an emotional evening for the Cheboygan boys basketball team, which saw its seniors play the last game on their home court.
After introducing the seniors before the contest, the Chiefs were hoping to pull off a memorable win.
But the high-powered team they were facing had other plans. The St. Ignace Saints were all business from the start in an 80-47 victory over the Chiefs on Friday.
Here’s some takeaways following the rivalry clash.
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Trouble keeping up
After Cheboygan (9-12, 2-6 Straits Area Conference) took an early lead with a 3-pointer from senior Dylan Balazovic, it was a struggle against the Saints (15-6, 6-2), who erupted with a 15-3 run to build a double-digit lead. Whether it was senior Jonny Ingalls making outside shots or other players pounding the ball inside for baskets, it was all clicking for the Saints, who led by 17 after one quarter. By halftime, the Saints were in total control with a 51-20 advantage.
“They’re (St. Ignace) good. That’s why they’re one of the top teams in Division 4,” Friday said. “I’m happy for my kids, I thought they played hard. I thought they played with energy. I thought the bench throughout the game was really into it and supportive. It was great to see so many of our guys get into the (scoring) book. We had 11 guys score, which is fantastic.”
Senior Kaleb Goodrich scored 16 points to lead the Chiefs, who received six from Owen Kimbrell, five from Gavin Smith, four from Brennen Thater, three apiece from Daniel Hudson, Robert Godfrey and Balazovic, two each from Patrick Watson, Luke Munger and Nolan Schley, and one from Jordan Johnson.
St. Ignace's powerful weapons
Meanwhile, St. Ignace’s free-flowing offense was on full display as the Saints saw four different players reach double figures. Leading the way was Ingalls, whose sensational performance featured a game-high 28 points, 24 of which came in the first half. Fellow seniors Kordell KillsCrow (13 points), Nick Halburg (12) and Ethan McLean (10) each did their part during St. Ignace’s dominating triumph.
“We’ve got guys who can play a little bit,” St. Ignace coach Doug Ingalls said. “We’ve had games where people played box-and-one on us, trying to take away Jonny (Ingalls), and it’s great for the other guys on the team when they do that. Kordell (KillsCrow) can shoot it, Ethan (McLean) can play, Nick’s (Halburg) pretty solid inside, so we’ve got some weapons.”
Last one for the seniors
One of the best Cheboygan moments of the night came from Balazovic, who returned to play his first game of the season after dealing with an injury all winter. Balazovic’s three put the Chiefs in front early and set off a joyous reaction from the home crowd.
“I’ve followed this group since they were in fourth grade,” Friday said of his seniors. “I went to almost every one of their basketball games in travel ball, fourth grade, sixth grade, seventh grade, all the way through, I was at them. I get attached to the kids. They’re over at the house a lot, hanging out with Kaleb (Goodrich), and they’re great kids.
“It’s always hard with senior night. There’s lots of emotions. I’m very happy for all those kids.”
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Playoff optimism?
After losing its fifth straight game, Cheboygan hopes to turn things around in the postseason, starting with a 6 p.m. MHSAA Division 2 district contest at Kalkaska on Monday. If the Chiefs win, they’ll face Boyne City in a semifinal on Wednesday.
The Chiefs might be limping right now, but Friday knows anything’s possible in the playoffs.
“We need to play well but that is a district that if we play well, we feel we’ve got a chance,” Friday said. “I know we lost by double digits to Boyne City, and I know we have two losses against Sault Ste. Marie, but we almost beat the Sault here, lost by three, probably should’ve won, but we’ve got to play well."
In the junior varsity game, Cheboygan wrapped up its season with a 62-40 victory over St. Ignace. Carson Kiefer led the Chiefs with 13 points, Nolan Schley had 10, Jack Ekdahl scored nine, Landon Gahn tallied eight, Andrew Kiefer netted seven, Jason Pauley recorded five, Luke Lafrinere and Frank Leonard each added four, and Luke Munger finished with two.
Evan Arnold’s 20 points led the Saints.
St. Ignace hosts the Pellston-Alanson winner in a Division 4 district semifinal on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan boys basketball falls to Ingalls, St. Ignace on senior night
