By Dan Hardenbrook
High energy and high intensity have been hallmarks of great performances early this season by the Newberry Boys Varsity Basketball teams. Both were on display again last week as the Indians welcomed in one of the top teams in the Upper Peninsula. The Pickford Panthers entered the J.L. DeCook Gymnasium perfect at 9-0 on the season. They were last season’s EUP Conference Champions, and made a deep run in the MHSAA tournament. They were the #3 ranked team in the UPSSA Division 4 poll but none of that mattered to the Indians, who looked at the game as an opportunity to make a major statement.
Early on it looked like it would be the perfect night for a perfect upset. Behind a huge hometown crowd, and playing with tons of heart and hustle early on, Newberry built up an early lead. It topped out at 9 points in the 1st half, As the Indians looked primed to seize their big moment up 21-12. Even after Pickford got hot and took control of the contest, it was the Indians who answered right back. The two conference foes fought back and forth, trading big runs and big shots, taking the lead but never really taking control. It wasn’t until the Panthers put all of the pieces together in the second half that they would pull away.
A strong showing in the late third and early fourth quarter gave the powerhouse Panthers breathing room, and they capitalized to hold off the Indians in the 63-48 final. It was one of the closest final margins for Pickford, who have won all but one game by double figures.
Logan Thiele led the tribe with 15 points; Filip Tihelka and Xander Stilson each had 9. The Panthers made it a point to lock down leading scorer Kegan Martin. The senior All Conference guard was limited to just 5 points.
With the loss, the Indians are now 4-3 on the season.
In the JV contest, Newberry’s younger squad continued its red-hot first half of the season, picking up another win in thrilling fashion. Quentin Magnuson had another big game at the JV level, topping all players with 22 points, including clutch points down the stretch to secure a 50-44 victory. Colter Kitzman caught fire and ended in double figures again finishing with 10 points.
The total team effort continued with 8 from Asier Ramirez, Logan McIntyre added 6, and Carter Jankowski chipped in with 4 points. It was their 4th consecutive victory and puts them at 6-1 this season.
