Tuscola Ends Dieterich Run In Boys Basketball Sectional

BRIDGEPORT -- It was a good run for Dieterich High School but unfortunately it came to a close at the hands of Tuscola in the Class 1A Red Hill (Bridgeport) Boys Basketball Sectional Tuesday evening by a 74-65 tally.

It was only the sixth time in school history that the Maroons have won a regional championship and what a way for Coach Brent Bohnhoff to start his second year at the helm.

Tuscola got out to a 17-10 opening quarter start behind a couple of three's from Caiden Russo and one from Logan Kurtz. Saywer Woodard hit two baskets and two free throws for six.

The Maroons stayed within striking distance as Brock Niemerg connected on a three and two free throws while Lucas Westendorf contributed two baskets and a free throw for five each.

Dieterich played Tuscola closer in the second quarter but still trailed 34-24 at halftime.

The Warriors' Woodard added to his total with a basket and two free throws while Caiden Russo nailed his third three-pointer and a free throw for four.

Niemerg continued on for the Maroons with two baskets and two free throws for six. Bryce Bohnhoff and Westendorf contributed four each.

Dieterich just couldn't get over the hump, playing to a 20-20 third quarter tie and still trailing by 10 points going into the final period.

Westendorf nailed four baskets for eight while Bohnhoff and Will Tanner added a three each.

Dieterich came back to outscore Tuscola in the final quarter but only by a point, 21-20. The Maroons connected on four three-pointers but Tuscola's Kam Sweetnam scored 11 of his 21 points in the final period. Woodard added a basket and four free throws for six.

Dieterich's Bohnhoff hit two more three-pointers and Westendorf added six more points.

Tuscola finished hitting 52 percent from the field for the game and were 80 percent at the line.

Dieterich had three players score in double figures. Westendorf ended the season by scoring 23 points on 10 field goals, one a three-pointer, and was two of two at the line. During the season, Westendorf broke the all-time leading scoring record of 1,665 points held by Cliff Westendorf. Lucas is now well over 1,800 points.

Also in double figures were Bohnhoff and Niemerg with 13 points each. Bohnhoff connected on seven field goals, three of those beyond the arc, while Niemerg hit four field goals, one a three-pointer and was four of six at the line.

Coach Bohnhoff's crew finished with a 26-8 record, the second winningest team in school history. It was only the sixth regional championship for the Maroons in school history. In the early years, Dieterich had won three district titles. It was the second time, Dieterich has competed in sectional action.

Class 1A Red Hill (Bridgeport) Sectional

DIETERICH (65)

Will 2-0 -- 5, Keck 1-2 -- 5, Cook 3-0 -- 6, Funneman 0-0 -- 0, Niemerg 4-4 -- 13, Bohnhoff 7-0 -- 13, Meinhart 0-0 -- 0, Westendorf 10-2 -- 23. TOTALS 25 FG, 8 FT.

TUSCOLA (74)

Musgrave 0-0 -- 0, Sweetnam 6-7 -- 21, Kurtz 4-4 -- 14, Devlin 0-0 -- 0, James 1-0 -- 3, Spillman 0-0 -- 0, Woodard 8-8 -- 24, Russo 4-1 -- 12. TOTALS 23 FG, 20 FT.

Dieterich                10    14    20    21    --    65

Tuscola                  17    17    20    20    --    74

3-point FG -- Dieterich 7 (Bohnhoff 3, Will 1, Keck 1, Niemerg 1, Westendorf 1), Tuscola 8 (Russo 3, Sweetnam 2, Kurtz 2, James 1)