HOUGHTON LAKE — Three players scored in double figures as the Grayling boys basketball team bounced back after a loss to Elk Rapids with a 64-38 non-conference win over Houghton Lake on Tuesday night on the road.
Grayling jumped on the Bobcats for a 20-6 first quarter lead. The Vikings kept things moving offensively in the second period with a 19-13 advantage and went into the half with a 39-19 lead.
As a group, the guys played with great energy, came out and set the tone early.
– Grayling coach Larry Mead
The Bobcats outscored the Vikings, 13-12 in the third quarter and Grayling entered the fourth period with a 51-32 lead. Grayling had a 12-8 edge in the final eight minutes.
“We got off to a great start, and knocked down some shots,” Grayling coach Larry Mead said. “Dylan Cragg had a hot hand in the first quarter.
“As a group, the guys played with great energy, came out and set the tone early. We were able to get into them defensively a little bit, and we were able to handle their one-two-two zone.”
“It was good ball movement by our kids all the way around. We put up a pretty good score in the first half, and the second half we were able to have a lot of kids get through and get some playing time before the tournament.
“Dylan Cragg led the Vikings with 17 points, while Caleb Caul and Ethan Kucharek each scored 12 points.Other scorers for the Vikings were Sparty Berry-Skillern and Matt Kuziel who netted six apiece and Fletcher Quinlan added five.
Houghton Lake had Bryce Ripke score 14 points and Jepyn Emerick with eight.
Grayling finished the regular season 11-9, and begin district tournament play next Wednesday at Manton.
