Posen coach Chris Keller talks strategy with his team in Wednesday’s game with Gaylord St. Mary.
It was a disappointing end for the Posen faithful, who lost by the slimmest of margins in Wednesday’s boys’ basketball Division 4 district semifinal to Gaylord St. Mary (GSM), 65-64.
Most of the dramatic moments took place in the final 55 seconds with Colton Paull scoring a go-ahead basket on a baseline drive with three defenders draped on him, yet he scored the points and got a foul for a four-point play and a 64-63 lead.
Hillman’s Ty Muszyński is defended by Rogers City’s Justin Romel in district action.
On the other side of the court, an intentional foul call on Gavin Keller proved pivotal. It gave the Snowbirds free throws and possession with 23.1 seconds left. GSM made one-of-two on the foul, and then on the possession, Posen picked up yet another foul, and GSM put up the game winning point.
Paull got one more chance with 14.2 seconds, but the shot would not fall. The Vikings final record is 15-6.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Hillman took an early lead against host Rogers City and the Hurons had to fight from behind the rest of the way. They took their shots, but it was too much to overcome as the orange and black lost to the Tigers by a final score of 59-45.
The Hurons slipped to 13-10, while Hillman improved to 20-2 and will battle for the district trophy Friday night at 7 p.m. against the Snowbirds.
Many more details will appear in the March 5 Advance.
