Pickford hopes to make a deep run in the Division 4 postseason. Munising hopes to do the same in Division 3.
When the two boys basketball teams met up on the Mustangs’ home court on Feb. 20 — in both teams’ regular-season finale — it definitely had a playoff-like feel.
Munising was able to make just enough plays to hang on in the end, claiming a 52-47 victory.
“It was a real good win against a real good team to finish the regular season, heading into the postseason,” Munising head coach Terry Kienitz said.
Munising played the inside-out game very well in the opening quarter. Jack Dusseault scored 13 points in the frame, most of which came in the paint. Carson Kienitz and Trevor Nolan each hit a 3-pointer, and they led 19-6 after one.
The Mustangs pushed that gap to 23-6 early in the second quarter, but Pickford rattled off 10 straight points to close the half, pulling to within 23-16 at the break.
Two more triples from Nolan and a trey by Kienitz pumped the Mustang advantage to 40-30 entering the fourth. They extended that gap to 45-32, but Pickford responded by going on a 15-2 run to tie things up at 47-all late in the contest.
The Mustangs scored the final five points of the game, however, enabling them to escape with the win.
“We started the game with a lot of energy,” Kienitz said. “We ran our offensive sets real efficiently against their zone, getting open looks for Jack right at the rim. Also knocking down some 3s to stretch their defense out, while really playing tough defense.
“We had too many turnovers in the second, and it stalled our offense. Came out in the third and had real balanced scoring with all five starters scoring. We had more turnovers in the fourth and let Pickford get back in it and tied it up. We went back to Jack down low and sealed the win.”
Dusseault finished with 23 points in the victory. Nolan contributed 12 points, and Kienitz added 10. Nolan Connaughton put in five points, and Zach Lindquist scored two.
Munising (19-2 overall) hosted Menominee in their Division 3 district semifinal on Wednesday. The Maroons defeated Manistique on Monday in the district opener.
Iron Mountain, Gwinn and Bark River-Harris are on the other side of the bracket, and the winner of that side of the draw will host the district championship tonight (Friday). The district champion moves on to a regional semifinal game Tuesday in Marquette.
“Menominee has a real good program and an excellent coach,” Kienitz said. “If we play to our potential, we can win our district. After that, I think regionals might be a little easier. I like our chances to win another regional.”
