GRAYLING – After winning its first regional championship since 1957 on its home court, the Grayling boys basketball team was hoping to play the MHSAA Division 3 quarterfinal a little closer to home in Lake City.
But, that’s not happening now. The MHSAA has ruled that since the Vikings’ opponent Tuesday night, Menominee, is coming from so far a distance that it would move the game to Sault Ste. Marie to be more in between the two schools.
Naturally, it was a blow to the Grayling fans who had hoped to have a shorter drive to the game. But, the Vikings are taking it with a shrug. After all, the Vikings have been road warriors this season, playing 11 games away from the friendly confines of the Grayling gymnasium.
“We preach respond, not react to adversity all year,” Vikings Head Coach Larry Mead said. “It is what it is. We just have to go out and take care of our business, and let things fall where they may.”
Instead of moaning about the distance it has to travel, Grayling is focusing on what it needs to do to handle No. 7 Menominee’s pressure defense, which it employs from start to finish.
Mead said Menominee does a lot run and jump stuff, which was on full display in the veteran Maroons overtime victory over Benzie Central, a team that likes to get out and run.
“They look like they have four really legit outside scoring threats,” added Mead, “and a big bodied center. They’re a complete team.
“One of the big things is are we going to be able to defend like we have the first four games of the tournament. We have to make the most of every possession, because they do.
“They’re long and athletic, and they can get up and down the floor, and defend all five spots.”
But, the Vikings have come together and are playing well together at the right time after going 3-5 in their last eight games. Grayling has really turned on the switch defensively, giving up an average of only 35 points a game in the tournament.
As the saying goes, defense travels. And this is a team that is playing its best defense of the season.
“The kids are excited, and proud of what they’ve done,” Mead said. “But, they’re not satisfied. They want to go up there (Sault Ste. Marie) and they want to get to the Breslin.”
