HS Basketball – Bearcats Edge Spartans to Advance

Two cross-town rivals squared off for the third time this season, with the continuation of their seasons on the line at Loy Norrix High School.

The Battle Creek Central Bearcats and the Lakeview Spartans split their season series with each other, with both teams winning on their home floors. With both teams finishing below .500 and the records technically scrubbed for the Michigan High School Athletic Association's postseason, the rubber match would determine who would advance to the Division 1 District Semifinals Wednesday against the Coldwater Cardinals, considered the favorite by record.

Our Game of the Night was an absolute battle, with Central prevailing 50-47 to advance to the Semifinals. Lakeview held a 25-24 lead at the half. The Bearcats had a 37-36 lead into the final quarter.

Central's leaders dominated the scoring again, with senior guard Joshua Mann pumping in 14 points. He would also go 6-for-6 in the fourth quarter from the line. Senior forward Keondre Glass added 11.

Junior guard Tommy Moore led all scorers with 19 points for the Spartans, who finish with an overall record of 9-12. Junior forward Harrison Jewell provided nine points.

Here's the complete schedule from Monday's District Quarterfinals, with 10 area squads moving on to Wednesday.

Division 1 at Loy Norrix – Battle Creek Central 50, Lakeview 47
Division 1 at Loy Norrix – Gull Lake 67, Sturgis 54
Division 2 at Pennfield – Olivet 76, Harper Creek 62
Division 2 at Pennfield - Pennfield 70, Jonesville 40
Division 3 at Bronson – Union City 59, Galesburg-Augusta 43
Division 3 at Reading – Homer 79, Jackson Preparatory & Early College 27
Division 4 at Athens – St. Philip 61, Climax-Scotts 40
Division 4 at Athens – Athens 70, Burr Oak 51
Division 4 at Jackson Christian – Bellevue 72,Tekonsha 27
Division 4 at Jackson Christian – Marshall Academy 74, Litchfield 56

Here's a look at the upcoming Semifinals for the area Wednesday night:

Division 1 at Loy Norrix – Coldwater vs. Battle Creek Central - 'Game of the Night' broadcast begins at 5:45pm on 95.3 WBCK. Tip at 6pm

Division 1 at Loy Norrix – Loy Norrix vs. Gull Lake - 7:30pm
Division 2 at Pennfield – Marshall vs. Olivet - 5:30pm
Division 2 at Pennfield – Hillsdale vs. Pennfield - 7pm
Division 3 at Bronson – Bronson vs. Maple Valley - 5:30pm
Division 3 at Bronson – Delton vs. Union City - 7pm
Division 3 at Reading – Quincy vs. Homer - 7:30pm
Division 4 at Athens – Calhoun Christian vs. St. Philip - 5:30pm
Division 4 at Athens – Colon vs. Athens -7pm
Division 4 at Jackson Christian – Coldwater Pansophia vs. Marshall Academy - 6pm
Division 4 at Jackson Christian – Jackson Christian vs. Bellevue - 7:30pm