The Brandon basketball team was within striking distance of Lapeer East in the opening round of district action March 8.
However, the Eagles pulled away in the third quarter and went on to defeat the visiting Blackhawks 52-44, ending Brandon’s season at 7-14.
Lapeer East (13-8) jumped out to a 15-9 lead after the first quarter, but the Blackhawks rallied back to pull within one point, 25-24, at halftime. However, the Eagles outscored the Blackhawks 17-8 in the third quarter and never looked back.
‘We had a bad stretch late in the third and early in the fourth,? Brandon coach Denny Butcher said. ‘We missed some relatively easy shots, and Lapeer East did a good job of keeping the momentum offensively.?
Senior Joe Turcsak capped off his Brandon career by leading the Blackhawks with 14 points, while sophomore Adam Howard added 10. Matt Zeeman led the Eagles with 20 points.
Also playing their final games as Blackhawks were seniors Tom Schaefer and Jason Martin.
Butcher had nothing but praise for those three players.
‘Joe was a very solid post presence for us,? Butcher said. ‘He was a leader, very active in the community, and someone others looked up to. He was a great young man.?
‘Tom was in the same vein as Joe. He was a great student, and you never had to worry about his commitment to the team. Jason was another solid leader and very committed. He did well for us down the stretch.?
Although Brandon’s record was below .500 this season, Butcher said the late season arrivals of sophomores Lance Rawlings, Ryan Smith, and Nick Toreli, along with the improved play of Howard, give the Blackhawks hope for the future.
‘I think they give us an extra spark at the end of the season,? Butcher said. ‘I’m looking forward to working with them.?
In their last regular season game, the Blackhawks dropped a 72-70 overtime contest against host Holly March 5.
The Bronchos had control of the game for three quarters, taking a seemingly insurmountable 53-35 lead into the final period.
However, the Blackhawks came roaring back in the fourth, outscoring the Blackhawks 26-8 in the period, leaving the two teams tied at 61 at the end of regulation.
Howard led the Blackhawks with 21 points, while Turcsak chipped in with 18. Brad Behrend scored 28 points to lead the Bronchos.