By John Raffel
Correspondent
Ludington’s defense proved to be a menace for the Clare Pioneers in Tuesday’s Division 2 boys basketball regional game at Big Rapids High School.
The Orioles prevailed in the regional semifinal 46-25.
Ludington (19-6) advances to the regional title game in Gaylord on Thursday against Kingsford from the Upper Peninsula. Clare’s season ends at 16-9.
The Pioneers struggled offensively, as the final score would indicate.
“They’re a very good basketball team,” Clare coach Byron Schunk said. “They’re very quick. We struggled all year scoring That’s the lowest points total we scored all season.”
David Sillinger scored 17 points to lead the Orioles. Clare’s leading scorers with six points apiece were Nic Potter, Miles Haggart and Ritchie Montgomery.
Ludington led from the start and was up 10-7 on Gage Jones’ 3-pointer. It was 12-7 going into the second. Spencer Holmes drilled in a triple for a 17-9 lead early in the second period. The defensive struggle continued and it was 19-12 at halftime. Richie Montgomery scored for Clare and it was 22-14, Orioles, midway in the third. Miles Haggart scored for Clare with 1:59 to go in the period to make it 28-16 but Ludington was up 32-16 after three periods.
Early in the third, Haggart scored for Clare and Porter later netted a three. Ludington was up handily 36-21.
“These guys played hard,” Schunk said. “They worked hard to be second in the Jack Pine, winning a district championship. I am extremely proud of them.”
The Pioneers won their district at home last week. Clare won 62-33 over Harrison, 50-38 over Chippewa Hills and 48-46 in overtime over Standish-Sterling.