Roundup of Monroe County Region boys basketball openers

IDA – Ryan Marino’s second stint as Airport’s varsity boys basketball coach is off to a great start.

Marino’s Jets flew past Ida 52-43 in the season opener for both teams on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

“The kids played hard all night and made plays at when they needed to,” Marino said. “Everybody on the team contributed to winning tonight. Ida has an extremely tough team which made the game challenging for us. Aidyn Stahr and Dillon (Byrd) gave us timely leadership tonight.”

Stahr led all scorers with 20 points and Byrd added 10.

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Ida got 10 points form Connor Zimmerman 9 from Owen Snyder.

“We didn't play to our potential tonight and are disappointed to start the season on the wrong side of the score,” Ida coach Jared Karner said. “We beat ourselves.  … That said, it's just one game.  It will not define us or the season going forward.”

TUESDAY’S GAME

Jefferson 55, Southgate Anderson 39

SOUTHGATE – Trey Oldenburg moved within 9 points of 1,000 for his career by opening his senior season with a 29-point effort.

Freshman Hunter Barton added 10 points.

“Nice win for the Bears tonight,” Jefferson coach Corey Wiley said. “We led from the start. Great defensive effort by the entire team.”

Dundee 59, Washtenaw Christian 45

SALINE – Former Monroe coach Larry Middleton won his debut at Dundee.

“We played good team defense tonight and we made our free throws,” Middleton said. “Thats always a great recipe for success.  Good to start the season on a good note.”Luke Bishop led the Dundee offense with 23 points and Mason Ray chipped in 14.

Plymouth Christian 68, SMCC 66

PLYMOUTH – New St. Mary Catholic Central coach Bryce Windham came up just short in his debut.

The Falcons broke away from a halftime tie to take a 55-49 lead heading into the final period but could not hold on.

Ben Martin had a big opener for the Falcons with 28 points.

Fellow seniors Jack Starner (13) and Brock Cousino (12) also scored in double digits.

Lincoln Park 51, Gibraltar Carlson 40

GIBRALTAR – Luke Sliwinski, who scored a total of 5 varsity points last season, opened his junior season with 19 points.

No one else netted more than 7 as the Marauders dropped their season opener.

Trent Ison plucked 10 rebounds for Carlson.

Dearborn Heights Crestwood 57, New Boston Huron 38

DEARBORN HEIGHTS – Huron trailed just 28-23 at the half, but managed only 4 points in the third quarter and fell behind by 14.

Cole Forster led Huron with 15 points and Zennon Grand scored 13.

Blissfield 60, Erie Mason 57

BLISSFIELD – Blissfield spoiled the debut of new Mason coach Isaac Skaggs.

David Sweeney hit four 3-pointers as part of a team-high 16 points for Mason

“We struggled with our defensive rotations tonight which led to a lot of open 3s and fouls,” Skaggs said. “You’re not going to win many games when the other team shoots a high percentage from 3 and 30 free throws.”

MONDAY’S GAMES

Summerfield 66, Ann Arbor Central 36

ANN ARBOR – Brody St. John racked up 33 points, 10 rebounds and 6 steals as Summerfield opened its season with a road win.

Easton Lapoint added 12 points and 5 rebounds and Josh Horak finished with 10 points.

“It was about what I expect with so much inexperience on our roster,” Summerfield coach Phil Schiffler said. “A win is a win, and on the road to boot.”

State Line Christian 41, Waterford Lakecrest 39

TEMPERANCE – Jackson Baumker (13), Preston Roque (12) and Austin Nowak (12) all scored in double figures as State Line improved to 3-1.

Brandt Dyer pulled down 8 rebounds and JR Hobbins led the defense.

“We came back from an early deficit and locked down on defense,” State Line coach Nathan Nash said. “It was an ugly game, but I’d much rather be on the winning side of an ugly game.”

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Marino, Middleton win in returns as Region boys basketball coaches