By Chris Zadorozny
For the second consecutive year, the Inter-City basketball team will be advancing to a Class D regional final.
The Chargers demolished the Pinckney-Livingston Christian Falcons 81-37 a regional semifinal game at Novi High School on Monday.
Leading the way for the Chargers was junior guard Evan Kraatz, who had 24 points along with four steals and two rebounds.
“Evan had a really nice night, said Inter-City Coach Mark Kraatz.
Helping Evan Kraatz on the score sheet were sophomore forward Luke Barber (12 points) and senior guard Derek Doran (10 points). Barber also contributed seven rebounds.
After one quarter of play, it was fairly even as the Chargers had just an eight-point lead. The advantage reached 13 by halftime and the Chargers were just getting started.
“We didn’t really score well in the first half. I thought we struggled, played flat and got into foul trouble,” said Mark Kraatz. “That was a tough start.”
Inter-City got its act together after the intermission and after three quarters of play, it was all but over as Inter-City led 65-32. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the bulge had grown to 44.
The usually reliable Nathaniel Packwood, who had a spectacular night in the district championship game against Baptist Park last Friday, had an off night on Monday as early foul trouble limited his playing time and he had just six points. Fortunately for Inter-City, there were other players to pick him up.
The Chargers had six other players contribute points.
Freshman forward Brady Fressel and freshman guard Garrett Kraatz had nine points each, while senior forward Carson Claypool had five, junior Zack Riddle had three and sophomore center Troy Kazlaskas had one point. Kazlaskas also had six rebounds.
Leading the way for the Falcons was senior Luke Wenger, who had 12 points and over half-a-dozen rebounds. The only other player in double digits for the Falcons was senior Travis Hollingsworth, who had 11 points and six rebounds.
Inter-City now moves on to play league rival Southfield Christian for the third time this season.
The teams played two games this season, splitting them.
Inter-City won by one point early in the season 50-49 in Southfield and lost at home by one point, 47-46, last month.
“It’s going to be tough,” said Mark Kraatz It’s going to be a battle.”
To read the original post that appeared online in the MI Prep Zone on March 11, 2013, go to www.miprepzone.com/thenewsherald.
Chris Zadorozny 