By Greg Gielczyk
GRAYLING — Grayling snapped a four-game losing streak and climbed above .500 on the season with a 67-59 boys basketball victory over East Jordan Friday night at home in the Lake Michigan Conference.
The Vikings got off to a strong start, outscoring the Red Devils by six points, 16-10 in the first eight minuters. Grayling enjoyed an 18-12 advantage in the second to double that lead, 34-22 at the half.
But the Red Devils ate into the Vikings lead in the second half, using a 17-10 third quarter advantage to cut Grayling’s lead down to five points, 44-39 heading into the fourth period. The Vikings held off the surging Red Devils, 23-20 in the final eight minutes.
Two players combined for 43 points. Ethan Kucharek knocked down 23 points to lead the Vikings, while Dylan Cragg tossed in 20. Caleb Caul added 11.
Ethan Antaya scored 19 points to led the Red Dcvils.
“Our kids were engaged and got after it,” said Grayling head coach Larry Mead. “The bench was engaged, and they were having fun.
“We were able to push the pace, kind of got out of our funk and the kids played really well. I was really proud of them. The Lake Michigan Conference is really solid. There are no easy games
“I talked a little bit about it on the radio afterward. We need our bench guys pushing us a little more in practice. We need them to put us in position to compete whenever we go out there.”
The Vikings improved their record to 9-8 overall and 5-7 in the conference with just three games left on the regular season schedule. Next up for Grayling is a home game Tuesday, Feb. 22 against Harbor Springs.
