Pioneers improve record to 8-1 overall, 2-0 in league play

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Riverview Gabriel Richard’s doing was Cranbrook Kingswood’s undoing in a CHSL Intersectional 1 Division match Tuesday evening.

The Pioneers jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the game’s opening 75 seconds and employed a similar tactic to start the second half with an 8-0 run.

“We didn’t answer the bell,” Cranes coach Shane Finney said. “We came out flat and not ready to play.”

The result was a 69-53 victory for Richard, raising its overall record to 8-1 and 2-0 in the league. Cranbrook dropped to 6-2 and 2-1.

Sophomore point guard Nick Szczechowski drilled a three-point shot for the Pioneers’ first points of the game and connected another triple for the last points at the buzzer of the first half to give his teammate a 34-23 cushion at the intermission.

Szczechowski wound up with 25 points, his best in his first season on the varsity roster.

In less than 90 seconds to begin the third quarter, Richard expanded its lead to 19 points, 42-23. Senior Hans Fredrick and sophomore Michael Calhoun made back-to-back triples and senior Robbie Henderson put back a rebound.

The Cranes staged a too-little, too-late rally in the fourth quarter, going on a 16-7 run to close the gap to eight points, 59-51. Freshman John Kersh led the frenzied comeback effort with three buckets and a triple.

Sam Houxwell and Cam Garner shared team honors with 15 points each. Jordan Roebuck had eight points and Jack Fairman six to round out the Cranes' offense.

On Richard’s side, Calhoun and Henderson had 10 points apiece, Jacob Kowal 9 (all 3s), Nick Hiuser 7, Fredrick 5, and Matt Maki 3.

Pioneers coach Kris Daiek complimented his squad “for stepping up” in the absence of junior leading scorer Michael Holdsclaw. “We had guys playing in different positions, but they all made the adjustments,” Daiek said.

Cranbrook has a 10-day break before it plays again Jan. 24, hosting Royal Oak Shrine (2-5; 1-1). Richard welcomes Marine City Cardinal Mooney (4-3; 1-1) on Jan. 17.

In other CHSL action Tuesday, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (7-0 Central, 1-0) powered past Novi Detroit Catholic Central (2-4, 0-2) 94-55. The state’s No. 1-rated team built a 52-32 lead at the half and continued their assault with a 15-2 run to start the third quarter.

Lorne Bowman paced the offense with 25 points. Junior Julian Roper tallied 20, sophomore Jason Drake 19, and fellow sophomore Kareen Rozier 14. Senior Tyler Martinez had 16 points and junior Adam Noteman 12 for Catholic Central.