Rogers City and Mio Split Varsity Double Header
MIO, MI- It was a full night of action in Mio as the Thunderbolts hosted both the Rogers City boys and girls teams in varsity matchups.
The Huron girls go the night started scoring less than five seconds into the game off of a set play off of the tip off. They rode a balanced offensive attack with Brooklyn Orr, Alivia Freel and Sophie Kieliszewski each ending the night in double digits. The Hurons opened up at 27 point halftime lead and took home a 53-16 victory.
The boys would follow as Mio looked to remain undefeated. They would have to make up for the loss of Senior Center Gage Long. Long injured his ankle in a previous game. The game started with a technical foul on Rogers City, Austin Fox hit two free throws before we even tipped off. Fox would then hit back to back threes as he scored the Bolts first eight points.
The game would turn into a defensive slugfest as neither team found any offensive consistency. The Hurons were able to hang around and midway through the third quarter, Fox was forced to the bench with foul trouble. Without his two leading scorers, Mio Head Coach Ty McGregor employed a version of the stall as Mio took their time on possessions, on multiple occasions waiting over a minute to take a jump shot.
The strategy of the stall is one that is made possible by the MHSAA as they do not have a shot clock. Many states in the country do play with the shot clock, varying from 30 to 45 seconds. This is something Michigan needs to look into. While there is nothing wrong with the strategy, it takes away from the flow of the game. 45 seconds should be more than plenty to run an offensive set and get a quality shot off.
Mio would go onto win 36-22 to remain unbeaten. They have a tough stretch in front of them as they travel to Alcona on Friday before hosting defending league champion Hillman on February 13.
