Eagles fall to Knights after win against Central

Huron Valley Lakeland defeated its Bogie Lake Road neighbor, Walled Lake Northern, 58-52 on Friday, Feb. 4.

The Eagles (6-6 overall, 3-4 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association North Division) led 16-12 at the end of the first quarter and 35-27 at halftime. Both teams scored 14 points in the third quarter and Lakeland held on despite being outscored 11-9 in the fourth.

Ryan Zukowski scored 18 to lead Lakeland. Casey Palanca and Chuck Sanders each scored 10.

Northern (6-8, 4-4) was led by Russ Curl and Kirk Thomas with 8 points each, while Jared Sheena chipped in with 7. Ryan Soulet had 6 points, 6 Rebounds and 7 Steals.

“Everytime we would get it back to within a basket, Lakeland would come up with big shots and big stops on the defensive end,” said Northern Head Coach Ron Thompson. “Lakeland dominated the boards all night.”

However, Northern began the week on a high note when the Knights handed the first-place Walled Lake Central Vikings their first loss of the season, 44-39, at home on Tuesday, Feb. 1.

Central led 17-15 at halftime, but was outscored by the Knights 29-22 in the second half.

“We knew it was going to be a defensive battle as Central boasts one of the best defenses we will see all year,” Thompson said.

Garret Chandler led the Knights with 11 points and 9 rebounds. Jared Sheena had 9 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists. Kevin Piper chipped in 9 points and 5 rebounds.

Northern hosted Waterford Kettering on Tuesday, Feb. 8 after press time and will play at Walled Lake Western on Friday, Feb. 11.

Lakeland was scheduled to face Waterford Kettering at home on Tuesday, Feb. 1 but the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Kettering and Lakeland made up the game on Monday, Feb. 7 after press time, and the Eagles played at Walled Lake Western on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

The Eagles will finish the KLAA North portion of their schedule on Friday, Feb. 11 at Waterford Mott.