The Reese Rockets led for all but 92 seconds of the game, but it was the Bad Axe Hatchets who came away with the win, 60-53 on Friday, February 03, 2023. Bad Axe used a 14-0 run in the final 2:51 of the game to erase a 7-point deficit and win by seven over their Greater Thumb West nemesis.

Reese led by four at the end of the first quarter, six at halftime and eight after three quarters, but the Hatchets outscored the Rockets 26-11 in the 4th quarter, including a 14-0 run in the final 2:51 of the game. Bad Axe's sophomore, Grady Seltz scored 9 of his 12 points in the 4th quarter to lead the charge back.

Bad Axe was led in scoring by Keaton Braun with 22 points. Grady Seltz scored 12, while Chase Walker and Jake MacPhee each chipped in 9. Michael Janssen rounded out the scoring with 8 points. Reese was paced by Beck Shores with 18 points, Konner Kratz at 12, Mitchell Stricker 9 points, Luke Foco added 8 and Brady Benson pumped in 6 points.

There were roughly 30 turnovers between the two teams in a scrappy and fast-paced game. Bad Axe shot just 32%, but made up for it by attempting 67 shots over the course of 32 minutes of play (2pt: 13/37 - 35% | 3pt: 9/30 - 30%). Reese finished with a 42% shooting rate (2pt: 19/35 - 54% | 3pt: 3/18 - 17%).

With the win, Bad Axe improves to 12-2 overall and 6-2 in divisional play, remaining in second place with Lakers, both just one game behind the Cass City Red Hawks. Reese falls to 9-6 overall and 5-3 in the GTW.