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KALKASKA - After beating Roscommon last Tuesday night, Kalkaska's boys basketball team had hoped to give No. 5 Charlevoix a good game last Friday night.

But things went wrong right from the start, and with some chippy play marring the end, Charlevoix claimed an 8357 Lake Michigan Conference win.

Charlevoix left the Blazers' gymnasium with an 83-57 Lake Michigan Conference win, while some of the luster came off Kalkaska's victory over Roscommon last Tuesday.

The Blazers had trouble breaking Charlevoix's vaunted press, and then John Kasza got into early foul trouble.

It was downhill after that for the Blazers.

Alex Krause burned the Rayders for 20 points, and he also pulled down 5 rebounds. Travis Schuba finished with 11 points and 5 assists. Buddy Ross cleared down 7 rebounds.

Kalkaska finished the game with 32 turnovers, a number that might just be a record for futility.

"We didn't move the ball well, or run any kind of offense,"coach David Manchester said. "But, we did get a nice lift off the bench from Jeff Wellman.Ó

The 6-foot-3 senior came out for basketball for the first time this year, and has been slowly growing accustomed to the Blazers' offensive and defensive schemes.

As his confidence grows, so will his playing time according to Manchester.

So, it wasn't all bad for Kalkaska.

But emotions ran pretty high Friday night, and quickly escalated into some pushing and shoving toward the end that had Manchester offering his apologizes.

Manchester said there was also a lot of trash talking going on throughout the game.

"There was a hard foul at the end of the game,"Manchester said. "I have always told me guys that you play until the end. I was trying to prove that to my guys.

"With all the frustration, and everything that was going on, they were just going to be physical. Playing hard and playing physical are two different things.

"I was trying to prove a point. Plus, it being parents' night, I wasn't going to pull my three seniors. I'm going to do the same thing on senior night (Tuesday).Ó

The trouble started before the game, when the Blazers ran under the Charlevoix basket as they came out for warmups.

"You're not supposed to do that,"Manchester said. "Right away, the officials made it pretty clear that we were in the wrong.Ó

Charleviox led, 24-12, after the first quarter. It was 33-25 at the end of the half and 54-42 after three.

"It was a bad night as far as emotions,"Manchester said. "A lot of things got out of hand.Ó

Kalkaska topped Roscommon, 59-49, last Monday night. Roscommon came into the game 10-3.

Schuba led the Blazers with 26 points and 7 rebounds. Kasza finished with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Ross pulled down 7 rebounds.

The Blazers shot 12-of-14 from the free throw line in that game, and were 53 percent from the floor.

Averaging 18 to 21 rebounds a game, the Blazers ripped down 33 for the game.

Kalkaska led 13-10 at the end of the first quarter and 34-20 by halftime. After three, the Blazers' lead was 42-35.

Kalkaska is playing for the districts now.

"We know we're not going to win conference, so it's just trying to put together some wins, get some confidence and get this thing running smoothly,"Manchester said.

The Blazers drew Brethren in the first round of district play, and would face Kingsley if they can beat the Bobcats.

"We're just trying to limit our turnovers, and get our assists up,"Manchester said.