PETOSKEY -- If the Petoskey boys basketball team plays the way they did Friday night, as they opened Big North Conference play, they're going to win a lot of basketball games.
Unfortunately, while hosting a strong Cadillac team, Friday wasn't one of them.
Add it to the growing list of battles between the Northmen and Vikings over the years, this one going to Cadillac in a 55-51 final.
The loss comes in a stretch that Petoskey coach Matt Tamm knew would be challenging.
"We knew coming in that we're on a series of games right now, we've got three real tough games where we have to play really well to win," Tamm said. "Sometimes you play pretty well and still come up on the losing side. A great opponent and we look forward to meeting up with these guys again later in the season."
Petoskey moved to 5-1 overall on the season and 0-1 in the BNC, while Cadillac also improved to 5-1 and 3-1 in the Big North, adding to wins over Gaylord and Alpena.
Petoskey trailed in a 28-27 game at the half, then erupted out of the break to take an eight-point lead behind some hot shooting from Haden Janes and Mason Fralick.
But, the Vikings had just the same to climb back in and eventually grab back the lead in the fourth.
"Tonight was a nice effort, we did a lot of good things, they just outscored us," Tamm said. "The defensive effort was there, the one kid just hit the barrage of threes in the second half and I really thought that was the difference in the game."
Petoskey lost its lead in a 47-46 game early in the fourth and never regained it. They pulled within three on a Zach Wodek 3-pointer with 21.5 seconds remaining, though never got any closer after free throws.
One of the focuses for Petoskey heading in was on 6-foot, 8-inch senior Kyle McGowan, who was held to just five points, all in the second half. What they didn't account for was fellow senior Grant Williams going off for 15.
"I thought Korbin (Sulitis) did a great job on McGowan," Tamm said. "I thought we played real gritty. I was pleased with our effort, as always. These guys compete, they just hit some shots and it came down to the end."
Petoskey's Janes and Mason Fralick each led the way with 18 points, then Sulitis added six. Janes also had four assists and three steals and Fralick had four rebounds and two assists.
The Northmen (5-1) won't get much of a break ahead, as they'll have a few days off, then get right back to it to take on Holland Christian and Spring Lake on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 27-28 in Grand Haven. It's been an annual tradition for a while now.
"We've been going down to Grand Haven for about 10 years now," Tamm said. "We don't get much of a break. I think it keeps these guys locked in, then we have a little down time when they go into exam week and we're going to play some good competition, so that end of it is real good."
Petoskey will head to Elk Rapids on Friday, Jan. 3, then won't host against until Traverse City St. Francis visits on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny