Grayling Rolls Past Boyne

By Ray Bennett
Tuesday February 22, 2011
The Grayling Vikings achieved their 15^{th win of the season by cruising to a 64-55 victory over the Boyne City Ramblers on senior night. The Vikings improved to 10-3 in Lake Michigan Conference play, one game behind the Charlevoix Ramblers. This sets up a chance for the Vikings to clinch at least a share of the conference with a win and an Elk Rapids loss at Traverse City St. Francis on Friday.}
The game got off to a good start for the Vikings in the first 1:43 in the first quarter, with senior center Jake Helsel scoring the team’s first four points. He also amassed 5 rebounds in his first three minutes of play. Helsel didn’t score for the rest of the game and only got one more rebound, finishing with 6.
Grayling had a tough time with ball control in the first quarter, turning it over six times. Boyne City started off the second quarter with three points in the first two and a half minutes. Grayling guard Riley Zigila evened the score up at 13-13 with a three point shot. This sparked an 8-0 scoring run for the Vikings that lasted until Boyne answered back with six unanswered points, taking a one point lead off a three point shot. Grayling guard Zane Tobin gave his team the lead on the next possession with a three point field goal of his own. After Boyne City tied the game back up later on their next possession, Grayling got some help from Steven Enos and Tom Burrell, splitting a 7-0 run to end the first half. Both, along with Zigila, finished the half with six points.
Grayling never looked back after taking the lead at the end of the first half, continuing their run scoring two consecutive baskets. Enos contributed 15 second half points. He fouled out late in the fourth quarter, getting a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Boyne City closed to within six in the final minute. However, the Vikings were too much for them as they dropped their 10th conference game of the season and 6-11 overall. Jay Redman led the Ramblers with 15 points. The team shot 32.7% from the field, while Grayling shot 40%.
Grayling’s win sweeps the season series with Boyne, with the Vikings taking the first game 56-55 on January 25 on the Ramblers’ home court. Boyne finishes Lake Michigan Conference play on Friday when they face fifth place Harbor Springs. Their season finale takes place March 3rd when they play at Cedarville, before playing in districts the next week. Grayling ends L.M.C. play this Friday in Charlevoix. With a win, they clinch at least a share of the conference, and a chance to clinch their first conference title since 2006. They also need Elk Rapids, who spilt the season series with Grayling, to lose to Traverse City St. Francis on the same night. Grayling finishes the regular season on March 1st against Houghton Lake.