Bravettes Rally, Jays Boys Roll

PIERCE - A thrilling finish for the Braves girls was followed by a Blue Jays boys blowout as Pierce and Battle Creek split a Saturday evening doubleheader.

With the Bravettes trailing by 3, Brianna Zohner connected from downtown to tie the game with 52 seconds left. Moments later after a Lady Jays missed basket, Renee Brummels fed Zohner for a layup, and a foul led to a 3-point play. A Pierce miss at the buzzer and Battle Creek escaped with a 34-31 road win. Zohner finishes with 11 points, along with 9 for Paytyn Taake. Kenzie Moeller of Pierce led all scorers with 14.

Much less drama in the boys half of the double-dip, as Pierce pulled away from a close game in the 2nd quarter, thanks in large part to Ben Brahmer's game-high 20 points, including an explosive two-handed dunk that brought the crowd to their feet. Dawson Watts chipped in 14 as the Jays won going away 64-27.

Battle Creek (7-9 girls, 8-7 boys) is on the road Tuesday at Howell-Dodge, while that same night, Pierce (10-6 girls, 12-2 boys) is at West Point-Beemer.