Leelanau County teams were perfect in the Northwest Conference during the past week, and are on track to capture three of the top four places in league play.

But they did face some challenges. In fact, Suttons Bay prevailed over Benzie Central Friday, 74-69, in its closest game of the season. And Glen Lake and Leland proved they wouldn’t wilt under pressure.
MIKE O’BRIEN of Suttons Bay drives to the basket in the Lakers’ win over Kingsley Friday.
In fact, Mesick came out gunning last Wednesday at Leland, opening up a 21-11 lead after one period based largely on four 4-pointers by sophomore Shawn Bates. He finished with five long-balls for the night and 16 points.

The Bulldogs maintained a slimmer lead until Sam Scott’s two free throws with about two minutes left. They gave the Comets their first advantage of the evening, 69-68.

Leland coach Jon Kiessel said senior guards Scott and Nate Sneed helped pull the team together after a dismal beginning, calling for the team to battle back during a timeout in the first quarter.

“You could see they made a decision after the start. They put their shoulders down and systematically went after the win,” said Kiessel.

Sneed and Scott made the comeback possible by hitting free throws down stretch. In the fourth quarter, Sneed was 6-for-6 and Scott 5-for-6.

Scott poured in 20 points, while Sneed finished with 18 points, including 10 in the last eight minutes. Calvin Gibson’s four treys helped him to 14 points. Senior Galen Whittaker was double-teamed and held to 7 points, but pulled down 12 rebounds.

The Comets followed with a 78-44 win over Frankfort Friday, outscoring the Panthers 25-6 in the third period to take a 60-27 lead. Sneed again topped Leland with 19 points, while Whittaker’s offense returned with 18 markers. Gibson scored 14 and Sneed 12. Combined with a home win over Traverse City Christian Tuesday, the Comets have won five straight heading into a rematch tonight with Glen Lake. The Lakers prevailed on their gym, 79-72, on Feb. 10.

Glen Lake has won 10 of its last 11 games, including two more Northwest contests last week over Buckley (68-64 in overtime) and Kingsley (65-53).

The Lakers, coming off a loss to Suttons Bay, came out flat against the Bears, trailing 19-13 and 33-20 after the first two periods. “It was a terrible first half,” said coach Todd Hazelton. “We just said, ‘We don’t want to stub our toe for that second place.’” The Lakers secured at least a tie for second in the Northwest with the Buckley win, which was made possible by outscoring the Bears 21-10 in the last eight minutes of regulation.

Matt O’Brien’s medium-range jumper rattled in and out at the buzzer, nearly avoiding a need for overtime. Four players scored for Glen Lake in the 10-6 extra period.

O’Brien finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists — amazingly, close to his averages in all three categories. Jason Sawyer scored 16, Matt Kornelis 12 and Mike O’Brien had 11 points and 8 rebounds. Buckley leading scorer Josh Ledford was sick and did not play; teammate Jeff Dreves picked up the pace with 20 points.

Glen Lake never trailed in a 65-53 win Friday over Kingsley, jumping out to a 10-4 after one period. “I think we just set the tone defensively in that first period,” said Hazelton. Junior Matt O’Brien canned 24 points, while Mike O’Brien scored 18 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out 6 assists. “He had a really good game,” said Hazelton about Mike O’Brien’s performance. “Not bad for a freshman.”

Any remaining question about the best team in the Northwest was dispelled last week, as Suttons Bay moved a step closer to a second straight undefeated season in conference play. However, it did struggle at times Friday at Benzie Central.

Suttons Bay’s past dominance may have created an impression that it would blow out all opponents.

“A few people are worried that we’re not playing well. But it’s just a case that we’re getting everybody’s best shot as the target has gotten bigger on our back,” said coach Todd Hursey.

The Huskies trailed by double digits early in the game and 43-31 at halftime, but came storming back in the third quarter to tie the game at 54. Then Norsemen Noah Reyhl hit a trey and Dwaun Anderson canned a deuce. And Benzie Central never closed within four points again.

Anderson finished with 22 points and five rebounds. Chase Orban hit for 16 points and 10 rebounds, while David Wheelock scored 11 and led the squad with 12 rebounds.

Suttons Bay led all the way last Wednesday in a 74-62 win at Kingsley, taking a 63-47 lead into the final quarter. “They chipped away to get it back to (12 points),” said Hursey. Anderson, just a junior, scored 26 points in a game that included his 1,000th career point. He hit 10-of-15 shots from the field, and grabbed 5 rebounds. Jared Orban and Chase Palmer (9 rebounds) each scored 12 points. Noah Reyhl had four assists.

The Norsemen close the regular season Thursday by hosting Buckley.