Basketball Recap: Hayden Hirmiz's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Utica over L'anse Creuse North

Utica was the 71-69 winner over L'Anse Creuse North when they last played one another back in February of 2018, but their luck changed this time around. The Utica Chieftains received a blow on Wednesday as they fell 50-34 to the L'Anse Creuse North Crusaders. While losing is never fun, the Chieftains can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Michigan basketball rankings (they are ranked 425th, while the Crusaders are ranked 79th).

Utica's defeat came despite a true team effort from the offense, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Hayden Hirmiz, who almost dropped a double-double on 12 points and nine boards. That was a full 35.3% of Utica's points, marking the third time in a row he's posted more than a third of the team's points. The team also got some help courtesy of Caston Rissman, who earned nine points in addition to five assists and five rebounds.

Utica has traveled a rocky road recently having lost three of their last four games, which put a noticeable dent in their 3-8 record this season. As for L'Anse Creuse North, they have been performing incredibly well recently as they've won six of their last seven contests, which provided a nice bump to their 9-3 record this season.

Both squads will have to hit the road in their upcoming games. Utica will take on Utica Eisenhower at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Utica Eisenhower will roll in looking for their fourth straight win, something Utica surely won't give up without a fight. As for L'Anse Creuse North, they will challenge Romeo at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.