News Photo by James Andersen Posen’s Tyler Hincka (24) shoots over Vanderbilt’s Guage Limberger during the first quarter of a district boys basketball game at Onaway High School on Wednesday. Posen defeated Vanderbilt 86-22 to advance to Friday’s district final against Onaway.

JOHANNESBURG–For the first time since 2017, the Rogers City boys basketball team will get a chance to play for a district championship.

Nick Freel scored 22 points, J.D. Ellenberger added 14 and the Hurons routed Whittemore-Prescott 55-25 on Wednesday in a Division 3 district semifinal at Johannesburg-Lewiston High School.

With the win, the Hurons (13-9) advance to Friday’s district final and will play Oscoda at 7 p.m.

A win would give the Hurons their first district title since 2012.

“We played a very good game. We got control early and we were able to work on a few things,” Rogers City coach Matt Ponik said.

Rogers City took control early, jumping out to a 15-3 lead after one quarter as Freel, Ellenberger and Matt Newhouse were among those who got in the action offensively.

The Hurons led 36-6 by halftime and 45-9 after three quarters.

Newhouse added seven points for the Hurons and Dylan LaFleche and Cam Streich each had four.

Oscoda 65, Joburg 39

JOHANNESBURG–Owen Franklin scored 18 points, Brayden Mallak added 16 and the Oscoda boys basketball team advanced to its second straight district final with a 65-39 win over Johannesburg-Lewiston on Wednesday in a Division 3 semifinal.

Oscoda (21-1) will play Rogers City in the district final on Friday at 7 p.m.

Gabe Kellstrom added 15 points for the Owls, Gavin Lueck had 13 and Itsuto Mantani had three.

Hale 71, Au Gres 24

HALE–The Hale boys basketball team will get a chance for district gold and redemption on Friday.

Joe Kimmerer scored 25 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead the Eagles past Au Gres 71-24 in a Division 4 district semifinal in Hale on Wednesday.

Hale (18-4) led 21-4 after one quarter and never looked back.

Keaton Ludwig added 11 points for Hale and David Wanty had seven points and seven rebounds.

The win advances Hale to a district final matchup with Mio, who defeated Charlton Heston 78-18 in the other semifinal.

Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.

The Eagles, who are seeking their first district crown since 2017, came up just short in last year’s district final, losing 51-49 to Mio. The two teams met on Feb. 19 and Hale topped the Thunderbolts 59-56 in overtime.

Posen 86, Vanderbilt 22

ONAWAY–The Posen boys basketball team scored early and often on the way to an 86-22 rout of Vanderbilt on Wednesday in a Division 4 district semifinal in Onaway.

Posen (17-4) wil play Onaway at 6 p.m. on Friday in the district championship game. A win would give Posen its second consecutive district title.

No further details from Posen’s win were available at press time.