There was no conference title to be won.  Nor was a post-season bid on the line.  But there was pride.  And making sure they had not lost to an area team.  That's what drove Williamston to an 80-66 victory at Holt Tuesday night.  The win ended the regular season for the Hornets (18-2; 10-0 CAAC White) and capped a terrific game between two athletic clubs.  Both teams were down a starter for the contest, with Williamston missing big man Sean Cobb and Holt (9-10: 6-8 CAAC Blue) missing it's leading scorer and rebounder, Troy Jordan.  And that meant next man up, and the guys who picked up the slack were Joseph Hahnenberg of the Hornets and DeAndre Whetstone on the Rams.  Hahnenberg put in 19 points and pulled down 9 boards, while Whetstone did his Troy Jordan impression by scoring 22 points (including five 3-pointers) and grabbing 6 rebounds.  The game was nip and tuck for all 32 minutes.  Holt jumped out to a nice lead in the 1st, thanks to the hot-hand of Whetstone who fired in 14 of the Ram's 20.  But the Hornets responded with Frankie Toomey, Case Conley & co.  It was 20-17 after 8 minutes of play.  The second quarter was much of the same, with Holt building up a 6-point lead with about a minute left.  But an old-fashioned 3-point play by Cole Kleiver cut it to 3.  Then the ensuing inbound pass was stole by Toomey who drained a 3 at the buzzer and it was all tied up at the half, 35-35.  The third quarter continued with constant lead changes and no team being able to pull away.  Malachi McClain started heating up for the Rams, along with Caleb Cooper.  Mitchell Cook was aiding the effort for the Hornets, while Kleiver was struggling a bit because of the tough Holt defense.  Williamston did manage to eek out a 2-point lead after 3 quarters, 50-48.  The final stanza came down to free throws.  While the contest had been mostly clean (with few fouls and very few turnovers), the 4th turned into a charity stripe party.  And the Hornets were the guests of honor.  Williamston went 14-18 while toeing the line, but Holt only had 7 attempts (but did make 6 of them).  Cole Kleiver didn't have a great shooting night, but helped salt things away going 9-10 at the free throw line.  Kleiver finished with a game-high 23 points.  DeAndre Whetstone & Malachi McClain paced the Rams with 22 points a piece.  Holt wraps up the regular season at home vs Lansing Catholic.  Williamston awaits the winner of Fowlerville/Sexton in District Semifinal next Wednesday at Eastern.

INDIVIDUAL STATS:

Williamston:

COLE KLEIVER: 23 pts, 3 ast

JOSEPH HAHNENBERG: 19 pts, 9 reb

FRANKIE TOOMEY: 12 pts, 4 ast, 3 reb, 2 stl

MITCHELL COOK: 10 pts, 6 ast, 5 reb, 3 stl

CASE CONLEY: 10 pts, 5 reb

 

Holt:

DEANDRE WHETSTONE: 22 pts, 6 reb

MALACHI MCCLAIN: 22 pts

CALEB COOPER: 12 pts, 8 ast, 4 stl

 

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