HS Basketball – Bearcats Come Back Falls Short in Districts

The Battle Creek Central Bearcats had an opportunity to advance to the Division 1 District Finals at Loy Norrix, but they had to get past the Interstate 8's runner-up to do it.

In our Game of the Night Wednesday, the Bearcats trailed the Coldwater Cardinals for a better part of the first half, heading into the locker room at a 29-26 deficit. Central would take the lead late in the third quarter 42-41 after trailing by eight midway through.

The two teams would trade blows in the final quarter, but the Cardinals would edge out the Bearcats 49-48 after key rebounds late in the contest.

Coldwater missed all nine of their free throws in the final stanza, a surprise from a 61 percent free throw shooting team on the season. The Bearcats had struggled at times all season to rebound and would be a determining factor in the loss. Central finishes their season at 9-10.

A trio of seniors led the Bearcats with forward Andra' Burroughs 13 points. Forward Jermaine Morris added 12 and guard Joshua Mann chipped in 11.

The high-scoring tandem of Dylan Targgart and Gage McGuire once again provided the offense for the Cardinals. McGuire led with 18 points and Targgart scored 12 of his 15 points in the first half.

The Cardinals advance to their second-straight District title game and will see the Gull Lake Blue Devils, who defeated the hosting Loy Norrix Knights. It's the first District final since the 2010 Class B State Semifinal run for the Blue Devils.

Check out all the scores involving all area schools Wednesday night.

Division 1 at Loy Norrix – Coldwater 49, Battle Creek Central 48
Division 1 at Loy Norrix – Gull Lake 59, Loy Norrix 47
Division 2 at Pennfield – Marshall 80, Olivet 42
Division 2 at Pennfield – Pennfield 86, Hillsdale 49
Division 3 at Bronson – Bronson 62, Maple Valley 61
Division 3 at Bronson – Union City 36, Delton 35
Division 3 at Reading – Quincy 69, Homer 51
Division 4 at Athens – St. Philip 51, Calhoun Christian 46
Division 4 at Athens – Athens 78, Colon 52
Division 4 at Jackson Christian – Marshall Academy 88, Coldwater Pansophia 17
Division 4 at Jackson Christian – Bellevue 68, Jackson Christian 50