PELLSTON – Of course, Jared Anderson was nervous.
Because when you’re making your varsity head coaching debut, there’s going to be some nerves.
But once his team settled in, the first-year Pellston boys basketball coach had a ton to be proud of with his players, who made it difficult for the Onaway Cardinals all night.
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Fueled by a game-high 23 points from senior Josh Grondin and 15 from fellow senior Connor Keller, the Hornets opened the Anderson era in grand fashion by capturing a 62-43 victory over the Cardinals in a Ski Valley Conference clash at home on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
“It’s so much fun being back here and getting a win at the high school that I used to go to,” Anderson, a 2017 Pellston graduate, said. “I’m so proud of the way they came out here and played tonight. Connor’s (Keller) diving on the ground and all over the place, and Josh (Grondin) is working on offense even though I know he’s exhausted and battling an ankle injury."
Pellston senior guard Connor Keller (10) fires up a 3-point shot over Onaway's Zach Schmoldt (33) during the first quarter of a boys basketball game at Pellston on Wednesday, Dec. 3.The Hornets (1-0, 1-0 SVC), who stymied the Cardinals (0-2, 0-1) with their aggressive defense in the opening minutes, built a 12-6 advantage after one quarter. Pellston was sparked by the play of Keller, who drilled a 3-pointer right before the end of the first then converted a four-point play to start the second, which pushed Pellston’s lead to 10.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhile the Cardinals got the game back into single digits, the Hornets finished the half on a 9-0 run and took a commanding 31-14 lead into the break. It was a productive two quarters for the Hornets, while the Cardinals struggled to find consistency.
“I think as we play more, they’re going to get a little more confident,” Onaway coach Eddy Szymoniak said. “We just don’t have the experience with this team. You can see there’s still unsureness in this group, and the difference from my other teams is that we always had a bunch of confident seniors to lean on. Right now, we need that leader, somebody to step up and demand what we’re asking of this team, and I thought there was progress tonight.”
Onaway sophomore guard Keagan Beyer scores a basket during the second half at Pellston on Wednesday, Dec. 3.Lucas Livermore scored nine points and Donovan O’Rourke tallied eight for the Hornets, who received five from Cayden Stewart.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I think it’s important to get this momentum going for the team, just to get everybody feeling good and know that they can win and having some confidence going into game two against (Johannesburg-Lewiston) and moving on throughout the season,” Anderson said.
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Onaway’s big performance came from sophomore guard Keagan Beyer, who recorded 20 points, including a trio of 3-pointers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Keagan’s one of those kids who understands the game very well,” Szymoniak said. “You can have good ball players, but they must be able to know how the game is played and be able to see it, and Keagan’s one of those kids that can bring it all to the table. That’s another kid we’re looking to lean on.”
First-year Pellston varsity boys basketball coach Jared Anderson talks to his players during a timeout during a basketball game against Onaway in Pellston on Wednesday, Dec. 3.Trenton Soik reached double figures with 13 points for Onaway, while Casey Kindt scored five.
Pellston travels to Johannesburg-Lewiston on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Onaway heads to Forest Area on Friday, Dec. 5.
Inland Lakes beats JoBurg in opener
JOHANNESBURG-LEWISTON – The Inland Lakes boys basketball team opened its season with a 61-23 victory at Johannesburg-Lewiston on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Bulldogs (1-0, 1-0 Ski Valley Conference) were paced by senior Mason Green, who scored 13 points, and sophomore Zander Robinson, who netted 11.
“Great defensive efforts from everyone, especially Andre Bradford and Landon Fenstermaker,” Inland Lakes coach Bryan Newman said. “Good, balanced team win. Everyone scored and contributed big minutes.”
Inland Lakes takes on Bellaire in its home opener on Friday, Dec. 5.
Cheboygan 8th grade boys top Kalkaska
CHEBOYGAN – The Cheboygan Intermediate/Middle School 8th grade boys basketball team rolled to a 47-17 victory over Kalkaska at home on Wednesday, Dec. 3.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEthan Berden’s 10 points led Cheboygan, which received eight points apiece from Brody Redmond and Cooper Vieau, seven from Tate Baller and Braden Runstrom, two each from Dylan Root and Logan Mlynarchek, and one from Reid Schryer.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Pellston boys basketball opens Anderson era with victory over Onaway
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