Squaring off for the third time this season, the Harper Creek Beavers and Marshall Redhawks battled on the high school hardboards Friday night at Marshall.  This time it was for the Region Nine Class “B” District 35 Championship.  Harper Creek brought the brooms with them on the short trip from Battle Creek and handing Marshall an 83-74 defeat. The evening was even more special for the Beavers at it was the first time in school history that Harper Creek's boys' varsity basketball program captured back-to-back district championship titles.

Marshall had a 6-5 lead with 5:07 remaining in the first period. However, the Beavers pulled ahead with a five point lead a little more than a minute later and never really looked back.  The score was 21- 15 at the end of the first eight minutes of play. Harper Creek then expanded its lead in the second period, taking a 39 – 35 lead into the locker room at the half thanks to a bucket at the buzzer by Brandon Hutson.

While shooting from the free throw line and overall shooting percentages went to the Redhawks, the Beavers led the shooting from outside the arc, 50-percent to 39-percent. Turnovers also hurt Marshall’s chances of catching up and passing Harper Creek as they turned the ball over 19 times compared to 11 for the Beavers. Leading Harper Creek’s scoring attack were Travon Johnson with 35-points followed by James Cadena with 24-points.   Jacob Brubaker Montez Brewer were the top scorers for Marshall with and 39 and 23-points respectively.

Harper Creek will hit the road for Coloma on Monday night to meet the District 48 champs Otsego Knights in the Region Nine semi-finals.

You can see photos from the Harper Creek-Marshall game, along with all of our broadcast games this season at:  https://wbcksportsphotography201314.shutterfly.com

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