OSCODA – Opening the season with two road games left little room for error, and the results were somewhat predictable for the Ogemaw Heights boys basketball team as the Falcons lost them both.
Still finding their way as a unit, and learning what starting combinations might work the best and give them a better chance at success, the Falcons stumbled out of the gate with a 47-27 loss to Beaverton on Tuesday, Nov 27 before enjoying a much better showing offensively in dropping a 61-52 contest to Oscoda on Friday, Nov. 30.
It’s not as bad as it could be for the Falcons, though, since they are an independent and won’t be chasing a conference championship so they can use the regular season as a way to get their game together for the post-season.
“We still have some work to do,” head coach Mike Weiler said. “We got off to a good start in the Beaverton game, and then they upped their pressure and we didn’t handle it very well.
“Against Oscoda we handled it (the pressure) well and played a lot better. But we just couldn’t get the shots to fall. That’s something that you can work on, but it’s difficult to coach.”
The Falcons’ offense was a little better balanced against the Owls, with Merik Hodgins leading the way with 16 points and Tyler Eedy adding 14. Trevor Brown contributed seven, Tyler Bailey six, Calvin Beck three while Trevor Likavec and Tyler Getzinger each scored two.
Hodgins was the only Falcon to reach double figure scoring against the Beavers with 10 points, which came on three 3-point baskets and a free throw. Tyler Eddy knocked down a pair of triples and finished with eight points. Trevor Brown contributed three, Jacob Rhine and Tyler Bailey each added two, while Brennan Hill and Jere Getzinger scored one apiece.
The Falcons had some film on the Owls’ offense according to Weiler and were able to run an effective defense to slow Oscoda’s offense, but gave the Owls too many offensive rebounds for second chance baskets which made the difference.
Another part of Ogemaw’s troubles came at the free throw line, where the Falcons shot only 50 percent (6 for 12). Weiler also said that the Falcons also failed to get some open shots to fall.
Ogemaw was scheduled to host Clare on Monday and Standish Sterling on Wednesday.
“Clare we didn’t play last year,” Weiler said. “They’ve won two close games on the road. They have a good 6-5 guy that plays pretty well. Standish will run what the always run, and we’ll just have to defend it and knock some shots down.”
