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Demarion Smith (4) of Vandercook Lake shoots the ball during a boys’ basketball game at East Jackson High School on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. J. Scott Park | MLive.com
JACKSON – The Cascades Conference and Big Eight Conference took center stage on Wednesday night, as rivalries were resuscitated and record-breaking individual performances were added to the highlights reel.
Below is a recap of all of Wednesday’s action in the Jackson area.
BOYS
Vandercook Lake 82, Manchester 44
The Jayhawks took a 31-13 advantage over the Flying Dutchmen and drove in the second half to claim a victory at the Cascades Conference on Wednesday night.
Demarion Smith highlighted the effort of Vandercook Lake (7-4), setting a new school single-game points record with 48 points, including 20 in the first quarter. He was joined by Jabari Banford, who added 18 points and Gaven Cooper, who added eight points and eight rebounds.
“Demarion did a great job tonight letting the game come to him,” said Vandercook Lake head coach Cory Ray. “He didn’t force a bunch of shots, and he was able to walk into the lane and finish around the rim and at the free throw line 9 of 11 from the board.
“When he’s locked up it’s hard to stop and it’s a really good feeling for all of us really. What impressed me the most was his recognition of his teammates for moving the ball well and making that extra pass. That says a lot about his purpose in the program and his team attitude first. He’s a goalscorer and it’s a role not all kids can play. I think he is fulfilling his role very well.
“Defensively, the Jayhawks were led by Easton Stoddard, who did a great job collecting 10 rebounds and eight interceptions. Easton is relentless defensively. He always keeps the opponent’s best player and he plays bigger than his frame. I’ve never seen a kid pick on him like Easton. I know one thing; I will never have to question his attitude and his efforts because he brings them daily.
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Michigan Center 53, Grass Lake 43
The Cardinals opened the game with a 13-7 run and ended the game edging the Warriors 17-10 to claim a victory at the Cascades Conference on Wednesday night.
Brock Cyrocki scored 13 points and added four steals to beat Michigan Center (5-2), while Nikolas Kosmet added 12 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals, Kaden Shannon has 11 points and Joe Olkowski has seven points and nine rebounds.
Brennen Bargesser finished with 14 points and seven rebounds to lead Grass Lake (4-4), while Travis Fernamberg added 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.
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Hanover-Horton’s Carson Sanders (25) goes to the basket during a high school basketball game at Hanover-Horton High School on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Hanover-Horton won the game against Grass Lake, 67- 48.J. Scott Park | MLive.com
Hanover-Horton 61, East Jackson 43
The Comets used an 18-9 run in the third quarter to pull away from the Trojans and claim a victory at the Cascades Conference on Wednesday night.
Carson Sanders scored 25 points and added 11 rebounds and four steals to pace Hanover-Horton (10-0), while Conner Mortimer added 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals. Evan Keeder finished with nine points, seven rebounds and two assists, Kyler Rod added six points, Garrett Gumper had five points, eight assists and four steals and Scotty Bolton added five points.
“We weren’t as crispy as we were, but I thought Carson played really well and was very active,” said Hanover-Horton head coach Chad Mortimer. “He did a good job on the boards and had some great passes. Evan Keeder also played a good game, he rebounded well and played hard. Garret did a good job finding people with eight assists.
Austin McKessy finished with 18 points and four rebounds to lead East Jackson (3-7), while Jake Swiontek added nine points, six rebounds, two steals and one block and Mason Dingee added eight points and two assists.
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Napoleon 75, Addison 14
The Pirates took a 47-9 advantage in the first half to clinch a Cascades Conference victory over the Panthers on Wednesday night.
Zack Johnson scored 22 points to propel Napoleon (3-2), while Alex Darnell added 12 points, Jason Negus eight points and John Barnard seven points.
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Hillsdale Academy 59, Jackson Christian 22
Tate Jacobs scored nine points to lead the Royals.
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GIRLS
Jonesville 40, Springport 32
The Comets started the game 12-2 and held off the Spartans in the second half to secure a victory at the Big Eight Conference on Wednesday night.
Kylie Ward scored nine points to lead Jonesville (7-2), while Kenzie Baker added six points and five steals.
Maddux Overweg finished with 15 points, five steals and seven rebounds to pace Springport (5-3), while Ryann Overweg added seven points, 10 rebounds and three blocks and Chelsea Hemminger had three points, three rebounds and one steal.
Homer 59, Union City 20
The Trojans started the game in a 13-4 run and claimed victory at the Big Eight Conference on Wednesday night.
Paige Austin scored 20 points and added four steals to beat Homer (6-3), while Kennedy Miller had 17 points, nine rebounds and three steals.
OTHER SCORES
Reading 40, Concord 20
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