QUINCY, MI (WTVB) – In Branch County high school sports, Quincy’s perfect boys basketball season continues as the Orioles last night held on for a 54-48 win at Olivet. The non-conference victory moved Quincy’s record to 13-0 while Olivet slipped to 7-7. The Orioles started strong with a 19-6 lead at the end of the first quarter and Quincy was ahead 29-13 at the half. But Olivet edged closer in the third quarter, outscoring the Orioles 23-10 to trim the deficit to 3 points heading into the fourth quarter. However, there was no panic down the stretch on the road for Quincy as they dealt the Eagles the 6 point setback. Jake Rider had a team-high 15 points for the Orioles while Nick Haberl added 9 points and 6 rebounds. Quincy returns to action tomorrow night with a Big 8 home game against Athens.
Also last night in a boys basketball Branch County matchup at Bronson, visiting Union City was in control all the way in a 71-to-42 victory over the Vikings. The Chargers had a 37-21 lead at the half and never looked back, ending any chance of a Bronson comeback by winning the third quarter 26-8. Colin Kreager had a game-high 17 points for Union City, Jalen Boes added 12 points and it was ten points apiece for Darren Austin and Seth Bruce. The Vikings were led by Justin Robinson with 14 points while Eric Toledo had 11 points. The non-conference win improved the Chargers record to 12-2 while Bronson drops to 4-9.
The second season in wrestling started last night with the MHSAA team districts. Quincy was the only Branch County school in action on Wednesday and the Orioles were eliminated in Division 4 at Springport, falling 75-6 to the host Spartans, who went on to beat Homer for the District crown.
Coming up tonight, the rest of the County schools enter the wrestling state tournament. In Division 2, Interstate Eight Conference champion Coldwater is at Three Rivers, taking on the host Wildcats in the semi-finals with the winner then facing either Sturgis or Edwardsburg in the finals with the district champion advancing to next week’s Gull Lake Regional. And in Division 4 at Bronson, the host Vikings face off against Colon in the semi-finals with the survivor then taking on Union City, which drew a bye. Bronson will also be hosting next week’s Regional.
Elsewhere on tonight’s high school schedule, other than wrestling, in varsity Girls basketball, Quincy has a home game against Athens while Union City hosts Concord. Also, it’s Tekonsha at Litchfield. The reserve boys and girls hoops schedule for tonight includes Coldwater against Jackson Northwest with the Boys games in Coldwater starting with the freshman as they tip off at 5:30 pm with the Junior Varsity to follow at around 7 pm. And this afternoon, in bowling, Coldwater has a home match at Midway Lanes against Marshall.
Today on the Coaches Corner, it’s Union City Girls basketball coach Jen Harty.
In middle school sports yesterday, in girls basketball, Coldwater took 3 out of 4 games against Harper Creek with the lone defeat suffered on the road by the 8th grade “A” team. They lost to the Beavers 57-56 with 20 points, 8 steals and 9 assists for Malorie Rzepka while Tyler Scheid had 10 points and 14 rebounds. Coldwater won the “B” game 25-21 with 12 points for Anna Tappenden. In the 7th grade action in Coldwater, the “A” team beat the Beavers 42-37 with 21 points and 9 rebounds for Olivia Foley along with 14 points and 8 assists for Carlee Crabtree. The “B” team beat Harper Creek 20-11 with 14 points for Emma Moore.
And Union City’s 8th grade team lost to visiting Homer 37-12 with 4 points and 6 rebounds for Autumn Carpenter.