By Greg Gielczyk
GRAYLING — Recovering from a three-point deficit in the first quarter, the Grayling boys’ basketball team sped on to 77-59 non-conference win over West Branch Ogemaw Heights on Tuesday night at home.
Ogemaw forged an 18-15 lead over the Vikings after the first eight minutes of the contest, but the Vikings exploded for a 25-8 second quarter and built a 14-point, 40-26 halftime lead.
That cushion would prove decisive in the second half as Ogemaw stayed close throughout the rest of the game. But the Vikings kept the lead all the way, outscoring Ogemaw, 17-13 in the third period to take a 57-39 lead into the fourth quarter. The two teams scored 20 points apiece in the final eight minutes.
“We got off to a slow start in the first quarter, and gave up a few easy baskets,” Vikings head coach Larry Mead said. “But we turned it on in the second quarter and made a nice little run.
“It was our goal to put a little pressure on them and get out in transition. We have some athletic kids, that we were able to work hard defensively. It was a fun game up and down.
“They’ve had some history on us in terms of the last three years. We’re happy with where we’re at.”
Senior point guard Caleb Caul dropped in 25 points to lead the Vikings in scoring for the night. Senior guard Dylan Cragg followed with 16 points, senior center Sparty Berry-Skillern added 11.
Also scoring for the Vikings were senior Matt Kuziel chipped in with eight, sophomore guard Ethan Kucharek seven, sophomore guard Maddox Mead three, senior guard Matt Pittman three and senior guard Cameron Ketchum and junior Jake Hartman each had two.
It was the Vikings’ fourth straight win as they raised their record to 8-4 overall. Grayling’s boys’ basketball team is next scheduled to see action Friday at Kalkaska in a Lake Michigan Conference game.
