SVSU’s James O’Neill Arena played host to the Louis O’Neal Martin Luther King Jr. Classic on Jan. 20.
The event featured 12 local schools while giving them a chance to play on a college basketball court.
SVSU junior James Toohey saw the event as a great opportunity for the young players.
“This is a great opportunity for the high schoolers to gain experience in a college gym,” Toohey said.
Many of the games were close, with two games featuring a scoring difference of more than 10 points.
The day started with Detroit Cody defeating Benzie Central 63-53. Detroit Cody took the lead early and was able to keep Benzie at arms-length for the entirety of the game.
In the second matchup, Haslett was able to defeat Imlay City 6533. Haslett took a 15-10 lead in the first quarter. After a 15-7 run, Haslett held their biggest lead of the first half and headed to the locker room up 30-17.
In the second half, Haslett senior Kale Schiebner scored eight points, leading his team to a 35-point lead late in the game, which eventually ended 65-33.
Schiebner said he enjoyed the chance to be successful on a college floor.
“This arena is a different experience that we are not used to,” Schiebner said. “My teammates wanted us to win. They kept giving me the ball, wanting me to go to work, so I did.”
Hunter Medrano, a senior for Imlay City, said he was also thankful to SVSU for the experience.
“It was fun and different, even though we couldn’t find a way to win,” Medrano said.
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