Tigers eke out win, end skid

HOWARDS GROVE – The Howards Grove Tigers scored only one point in the final 2:34 but were able to pull out a 46-45 victory over Cedar Grove-Belgium Friday night and snap a three-game losing streak.

Junior forward Josh Horness sank a free throw with less than a minute remaining to give the Tigers a 46- 45 lead and the ultimate win. The Rockets miss a shot in the waning seconds and Howards held on for the win.T

he Tigers raised their Central Lakeshore Conference boys basketball record to 7-5 (9-6 overall).

Howards, which trailed most of the game, finally took its first lead midway through the fourth period at 39-37 when Ryan Bruesewitz nailed a three-pointer. The sophomore guard’s trey with 7:30 left pulled Howards into a tie for the first time, 34-34.

Horness made two field goals which boosted the Tigers’ lead to 43-37. The Rockets answered with an 8- 2 run, keyed by Wes Meinen’s four free throws, to knot the game at 45-45 with about a minute left.

“It [coming back to win] was something we needed. It was good to get over the hump,” said Tiger head coach Chris Schroeder.

“The kids showed a lot of character and poise, and they kept their composure. They did what they needed to do to win.”

The Tigers were down 34-31 after three quarters. They outscored Cedar Grove 15-11 in the final period, led by Bruesewitz’s six points.

Horness led the Tigers in scoring with 12 points and rebounds, 10. Eric Dickmyer and Eric Bruesewitz paced the team in assists with three each.

“Josh played well. Eric controlled the ball real well [at point guard]. Zach Morgen and Ashton Holzman did a good job on defense against Jesse Anderson,” Schroeder said.

Anderson, the Rockets’ top scorer this season, was held to only five points (all free throws) in the second half and 11 for the game.

JV GAME The Tigers breezed to a 51-30 win in the junior varsity contest. Mike Davis led Howards in scoring with 15 points.

Score by Quarters Cedar Grove………….13 10 11 11 – 45 Howards Grove.………7 12 12 15 – 46

Cedar Grove scoring: Wes Meinen 10, Kyle Bruggink 3, Taylor Klopatek 2, Jesse Anderson 11, Spencer Jacque 8, Nic Vrubley 11.

Howards Grove scoring: Eric Dickmyer 4, Ryan Bruesewitz 6, Eric Brusewitz 9, Josh Horness 12, Aaron Wagner 4, Zach Morgen 6, Ashton Holzman 5.

Three-point goals: Meinen 1, Bruggink 1, Vrubley 1, R. Bruesewitz 2, E. Bruesewitz 1.

Field goals: Cedar Grove 15-32, 47%; Howards Grove, 19-43, 44%. Free throws: Cedar Grove 12-15, 80%; Howards Grove 5-8, 63%. Rebounds: Cedar Grove 20, Howards Grove 22. Turnovers: Cedar Grove 11, ___________________________ Howards Grove 9.