BIG RAPIDS — In Hart’s first 23 boys basketball games this season, the Pirates had their way or found a way.
In game No. 24 against a big, strong and well-disciplined Cadillac squad, they had trouble scoring buckets and generating good looks.
Hart’s dream season ended Friday night in a 56-32 loss to Cadillac in a Division 2 district championship game at Big Rapids High School.
The Pirates’ memorable season ends, as they finish 23-1, but the ride they’ve been on the last several months will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of their faithful followers.
Meanwhile, Cadillac (20-4) advances to next week’s regional hosted by Gaylord. The Vikings will try to take down another unbeaten as they face Standish Sterling (22-0) in a 7 p.m. Monday game at Clare.
Photos by Scott DeCamp | CatchMark
Here are some more details from Friday’s Hart-Cadillac game as well as some notables on the Pirates’ season:
- It was a tough night for Hart senior standout Parker Hovey. He still finished with a double-double, scoring a team-high 14 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, but Cadillac played great help defense and made it tough for Hovey to get clean looks. He battled foul trouble and ended up fouling out with just under 6 minutes remaining.
- Hart junior forward Blake Weirich, who was a good complement to Hovey all season, finished the game with seven points and eight rebounds.
- Hart senior sharpshooter Diego Escamilla added five points, hitting one 3-pointers.
- Cadillac placed three players in double-figures: Sophomore Eli Main with 16 points, junior Charlie Howell with 15 and senior Jaden Montague with 13.
- Cadillac led 17-12 after one quarter and 36-22 at halftime.
- The Division 2 district at Big Rapids featured four conference champions among the six teams in the bracket: Hart, Ludington, Cadillac and Big Rapids.
- With 841 students, Cadillac is one of the biggest schools competing in the Division 2 boys basketball tournament. At 408 students, Hart is the smallest in the division.
- Hart’s 22-0 regular season was the first in program history, at least in the modern era.
- This was Nick Bronsema’s first season as Hart’s head coach. He came from Orchard View, where he enjoyed a good deal of success.
- It’s been a remarkable winter sports season at Hart. Boys basketball, girls basketball, competitive cheer and wrestling won conference/divisional titles. Girls basketball, competitive cheer and wrestling captured regional championships.
- Going back to the fall sports season, it gets even better for Hart. The Pirates captured a boys cross country state title and had an individual state champion in girls cross country. Hart played for a conference title in boys soccer and in football the Pirates posted their first six-win season since 1992.
- On Saturday, Parker Hovey made his college commitment announcement on Twitter. He’s headed to Hope College. Friday night, Hope coaches were in attendance at the Hart-Cadillac game.
Watch highlights and reaction from Hart coach Nick Bronsema as well as seniors Parker Hovey and Diego Escamilla here:
Listen to a replay of CatchMark SportsNet’s audio stream of the game here:
