STURGIS - After firing on all cylinders Friday against Spearfish on the offensive end, the Huron Tigers used a similar performance on the defensive end Saturday as the Tigers’ boys were able to get a clean sweep at all levels, capped by a victory over the Sturgis Brown Scoopers 51-45 at the varsity level Saturday afternoon in Sturgis.

Knowing the Scoopers featured a host of strong outside shooters along with 6’9” junior center Jake Vliem in the middle, Huron coach Jon Schouten employed a matchup 2-3 zone defense out of the gate, and it frustrated the Sturgis offense.

Max Kranzler came out with a nose for the hoop, driving hard to the basket and sinking a nice long-range shot as part of a personal 7-0 run to open the game for the Tigers.

The Scooper starters were flustered and couldn’t get to the rim on the Tigers. In fact, the only scoring in the first quarter by Sturgis was a trio of 3-point baskets by the Scooper bench as Huron finished the first period in the lead 13-9.

The Tigers attacked the basket in the second quarter while continuing the defensive pressure, and while Huron saw multiple players begin to tally baskets, the free throw shooting that was so excellent Friday night against Spearfish was absolutely absent against Sturgis, as the Tigers finished the first half 1-9 from the line.

In spite of the free throw struggles, the Huron defense allowed the Tigers to double the lead at half to 22-14.

Whistles really began to slow down the pace of the game in the third quarter. Both teams would end the third period one foul from the bonus.

The whistles on offensive fouls led to the Tigers slowing the attack in third for a time, but that picked back up in the fourth quarter, and along with the attacking offense, free throws began to fall for the Tigers.

By the end of the period, the Tigers had nailed 10 of 15 in the final frame to secure a nine-point victory over Sturgis.

It was a different type of win, but Coach Schouten was pleased with the way the boys adapted.

“When you can win games multiple ways, that’s a credit to our guys,” Schouten noted. “Today they did enough to win by grinding through.”

The Tigers move to 3-7 behind 13 points from Brandon Decker and 10 points from Reilyn Zavesky, including eight points in the final period. Kranzler finished with nine points.

Sturgis falls to 1-11 on the year. Owen Cass scored 12 points in the second half to finish with a game-high 14 points. Dysen Peterson came off the bench to score 11 points, including three 3-point baskets.

Huron won the JV game 50-26 and the C-game by a score of 57-47. Schouten was quick to spread around the credit for the weekend sweep:

“Each level had to earn their win. That’s a credit to each coach and the hard work that everyone has put in.”

The Tigers travel to Watertown Tuesday looking to pick up a second victory over the Arrows this season.

Coach Schouten had a message for Tiger fans who made the trip west to support the team.

“Shout out to all the Huron fans who came out,” Schouten exclaimed. “Thank you for all you do to support us!”

Huron         13 22 33 51
Sturgis Brown       9 14 29 45