by Ben Murphy
Sports Writer
After a tough loss to Ogemaw Heights just two days earlier, the Clare boys basketball team was able to bounce back in a big way on Thursday, Jan. 5. The Pioneers were hosting Jack Pine Conference foe Farwell, and notched a lopsided win, 61-21.
“We got a much needed win,” Clare head coach Matt Alexander said. “We are continuing to make improvements and get better every game. The guys are playing hard. Defensively we continue to get after teams and make it tough on them. On the offensive end, we are getting better. Hopefully we can continue to build off this win and get some momentum going forward.”
Seven different Pioneers scored in the first quarter, as they took a commanding 20-3 lead after one. In the second, Mike Franko was able to put in five points and Clare was able to surge to a 39-8 lead at the break.
The third quarter saw Ryan Louch net four points and Nic Porter canned a three, as it was 53-13 with just the fourth remaining.
Pacing the Pioneers was Louch who had 14 points, Keagan Hill netted another 10, Franko finished with nine, Ritchie Montgomery and Porter were each good for eight points, Ryan Rodenbo put in five, Chase Randall added three and with two points apiece was Karson Tocco and Jayden Arthur.
For Farwell, Rylee Carncross was able to score 10 points, K. Allbee had three and with two each was Austin Lake, Jeremy Walkiewicz, Kole Ingraham and Garrett Baxter.
The Eagles also hosted Shepherd on Tuesday in a JPC contest. They lost this game by a score of 60-36.
Further details were not available.
Farwell (0-7 overall) played over at Meridian on Thursday and hosts Pinconning on Friday, Jan. 20.
The Pioneers also battled Beaverton Tuesday. They came up short in this contest, 48-37.
“We didn’t come to play with the same grit and intensity that we have had this year,” Alexander said. “Beaverton was more physical and out-worked us. They just seemed to want it more than we did.”
The Pioneers led the game 12-8 after the first quarter, but the Beavers surged to lead 27-21 at the half and 43-27 entering the fourth.
Ritchie Montgomery led the way in the setback with 16 points, Nic Porter put in seven points, Mike Franko had four points, with three apiece was Ryan Rodenbo and Chase Randall. Ryan Louch and Keagan Hill also had two points apiece.
Clare (2-6 overall, 2-3 JPC) was at home against Harrison on Thursday and heads to Big Rapids on Tuesday.