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Up and over! WIC junior, Abel Lundin #5 shoots over the Gwinn defenders.
By Patrick Browne
IRON RIVER — In one of the best feel-good stories of the basketball year, the West Iron Wykons won their last three games of the season and came just points away from winning their first round game of the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s post-season tournament.
After winning just one game prior to Feb. 9, the Wykons defeated L’Anse at home then went on to defeat Bessemer and Hancock in successive games. The four wins this season reflect the best record the Wykons have posted in three years, and with the core of their team returning next season, the Wykons are hopeful.
While the wins left the Wykons with just a 4–18 overall record, the momentum they garnered nearing the end of the season propelled them into the first round of the District playoffs against the Gwinn Modeltowners on Feb. 26.
Having lost to Gwinn 66–36 earlier this season, West Iron played a very controlled game which saw them waiting patiently for good shots. While the strategy to slow the game paid off in containing the Modeltowners, the Wykons had difficulty making their shots. With freshman Nathan Camps leading the Wykons with three first-half buckets, West Iron went into halftime down just 22–14.
In the third quarter Elijah Oberlin got on track, scoring 10 points as the Wykons closed Gwinn’s lead to five points, 33–28. The final eight minutes saw the Wykons fight valiantly, but unable to overcome the deficit. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the season came to an end with a 55–40 loss.
Wykon Coach Cade Contreras, after finishing his rookie season as a high school basketball coach, maintained hope.
“I am beyond proud of our guys,” he said. “To lose to this team [Gwinn] by 30 the second game of the season and then play extremely competitive basketball now shows how hard the guys have worked and how much they brought in. The proof is in the pudding. I’m excited for the off-season and to improve for next year!”