The Macomb High boys basketball teams were back in action Tuesday, making the trip to Sherrard to face the Tigers in a contest of former Olympic Conference foes.
The varsity contest saw the Tigers prowl out to an early lead on the way to notching a 65-57 victory over the Bombers.
Sherrard improved to 12-4 on the season, notching its fifth consecutive victory.
Macomb High saw its record slip to 11-7. “Sherrard is a well-coached team with a lot of firepower,” said MHS coach Jeremy Anderson. “We struggled to contain their shooters.”
“We needed to do a better job of controlling the tempo of the game.”
Sherrard knocked down four 3-pointers in the opening eight minutes on the way to scoring 22 points.
Macomb High got a combined nine points from Carter Havens and Nick Elbe, but the Bombers trailed 22-14 entering the second period.
Nolan Hoge and Drew Watson combined for 13 points in the second quarter for Macomb, but Sherrard’s Brylan Bender and Carter Brown also combined for 13 points for the Tigers.
When halftime arrived the Bombers trailed 37-27.
The Tigers continued to pull away in the third frame as Sherrard’s five starters combined for 18 points. They outscored the Bombers 18-11 in building a 55-38 advantage heading into the final stanza.
MHS attempted to rally as time wound down as Havens and Watson combined for 16 of the team’s 19 points. But Brown scored eight points in helping the Tigers maintain control on the way to the win.
“I’m very proud of how our kids battled,” said Anderson. “We fell behind by as much as 17 and came back to only lose by eight. It’s a testament to our guys’ competitiveness.”
Macomb had three players reach double figures in scoring.
Watson led the way with 19 points, including four 3-pointers. Havens added 14 and Hoge 11.
Elbe was next with six points, followed by Kellen Martin with three points. Isaac Leinbach and Cooper Hobson chipped in two points apiece.
Brown topped Sherrard with 26 points, 13 in each half.
Bender added 14 and Ryder Veronda 11 for the Tigers.
The sophomore contest saw Macomb improve to 8-6 on the season with a 37-28 victory.
The Bombers built a 10-3 lead after the opening quarter and held a 16-11 halftime advantage.
MHS upped its lead to 30-22 entering the final period.
Cameron Keene topped MHS with 10 points, eight in the second half.
Levi Helling was next with nine points, followed by Luke Chapla with eight, Kollin Knupp with six and Corey Robinson with four.
The Bombers finished with 12 baskets, including six treys and were 7-of-7 from the free throw line.
Macomb returns to action Saturday, heading to “The Shoebox” in Monmouth for a non-conference contest against Monmouth- Roseville (6-8).
The next home game for Macomb will be Jan. 20 when the Bombers host Canton (11-5).
