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The Blazers traveled intent on extending their two game win streak against their non conference Northwest League foe. The teams were quite familiar with one another due to several inter squad scrimmage skirmishes that may have served to instill Kalkaska with an ill advised sense of over confidence. Circumstances and Ranger tenacity would combine themselves to alter the Blazer mind set.

Manton got on the board first with a free throw before Marc ÒThe MaestroÓ Wallace added two of his own to place the Blazers up at 2-1. Manton responded but Chris ÒCrossroadsÓ KellerÕs lane was open and the Blazers went up 4-3. A Stanley ÒSteamerÓ Demo hustle play led to another strong Wallace finish and Kalkaska went up 6-3.

The faith displayed by the team appeared well founded until the fickle finger of fate intervened and brought the Blazers back to earth. With 4:23 remaining in the period, the band lost its leader, as Wallace crumpled to the floor in an agonized and frightening heap. The senior leader who sets the tempo for the Blazers retired to the bench for the evening, his surgically repaired left knee throbbing with pain.

The injury interlude ended and Manton scored to draw within one at 6-5. Ryan ÒLights OutÓ Leitow retaliated for three but the Rangers confidence surged and a bucket left Kalkaska up at 9-7. The play became frantic as Kalkaska sought to reestablish rhythm and Manton sensed the Blazer unease. Over a minute went by with neither team able to capitalize before Demo drained a three to give Kalkaska a 12-7 margin. Ranger freshman Jasper WoodcockÕs long range tally rounded out the quarterÕs scoring and afforded the Blazers a 12-10 cushion.

Manton played the second with blood in their nostrils. The Rangers came at the Blazers with every thing they possessed and leveraged themselves their first lead of the night at 16-14 with six minutes remaining in the half. Leitow was the only Blazer to have tallied in the quarter before Jake Heller bulled in for the hoop and the harm. Composure was slipping and Leitow was whistled for a technical foul which placed the Rangers up at 21-19. Unnerved Kalkaska found itself down seven when a three pointer by Woodcock put Manton up 26-19. Super sophomore John Kasza rounded out the Blazer scoring for the first half with a three pointer but Manton went in leading at 28-22.

Having only recently jelled, their floor leader sidelined, down six, before a partisan crowd sensing upset, the Blazers emerged from the locker room after the intermission an unknown quantity. The question remained, would the fire forge or melt the resurgent Kalkaska squad? The answer was a resounding team effort that serves notice to all that this is a team hardened not broken by earlier setbacks. No one man is irreplaceable and ten fingers clenched together serves to create two fists. With your dukes up you always have a fighterÕs chance and these boys came out swinging.

Jasper Woodcock of Manton opened the scoring to put the Rangers up 30-22. Without blinking the Blazers surged forward. Demo was fouled, converted a free throw, and the Rangers knew it was not over. Manton was denied and Kasza landed with a long range bomb cutting the lead to 30-26. The Rangers struck back but Leitow waded in and served notice with a bucket while being fouled. The free throw cut the lead to three but Manton struck back with three unanswered to advance their lead to 35-29.

The Blazers of a month ago would have been content to lie back on the ropes and launch from beyond the arc hoping to win on points. These Blazers now play for knock out. Leitow charged first and finished a drive. Alex Krause saw the example and followed suit with a bob and weave finish of his own. Having gone into the lionÕs den and survived unblemished Krause went back again. When the fighters were separated by the officials whistle the score was tied at 35 all. Alex SwoverlandÕs steal led to Stanley ÒSteamerÓ DemoÕs clean up on the offensive end and Kalkaska had knocked Manton in to the ropes by retaking the lead at 3735. Manton took a time out.

The Rangers came back and tied the score at 37. Kasza converted on two foul shots and a steal by Krause led to a Leitow three pointer which placed Kalkaska up at 42-37. Krause drew a charge which let Manton know that the inside exchanges would be controlled by the mauling Blazers. Free throws by the Rangers cut the margin to 42-40 when the lad who turned the game into a street fight let it rain, Leitow for three made it 45-40.

A Leitow steal and lay in pushed the advantage to 47-40. Manton scored to finish the third but still trailed 47-42. Questions had been answered though as Kalkaska had tallied 25 points in the quarter and restored the confidence they have worked so hard to establish. The final period saw Kalkaska open up a nine point lead on a Kasza three, but Woodcock responded in kind to make the score 51-45.

With five minutes remaining a disturbingly familiar pattern again materialized as the Blazers attempted to spread the floor and burn some time off the clock. Leitow traded a free throw with Manton and Woodcock again hit a three and the lead was reduced to 52-49. Heller converted on one free throw but the Rangers hit for two and made the score 53-51.

Keller reentered the game having been forced to remain on the bench with foul trouble. A Leitow drive increased the margin to 55-51. Demo then contributed with an assist to Keller and a bucket of his own to make the score 59-51. A free throw by Keller finished the scoring for Kalkaska who went on to a 60-53 win. The victory marked the third in a row for the Blazers but more importantly spelled out this team can over come adversity to win.