Lakers never trailed and sailed to a 19-point victory over their Greater Thumb West rival, Bad Axe 56-37 on Monday, February 26 in the opening round of the MHSAA Tournament. It marked the third straight victory for the Lakers who have now won nine of their last 11 games, while Bad Axe finishes the year on a 12-game losing streak.

Lakers' Caden Carriveau led all scorers with 21 points, including going 7-9 from the free throw line. Lucas Wehner added 14 points for the Lakers. Bad Axe was paced by Grady Seltz's 14 points, while the Hatchets' season-long leading scorer Michael Janssen was held to just four points (averaged 15.5 entering the game). Layton Krohn missed the previous seven Laker games due to injury and added eight points to the winning effort.

The Green Machine now advances to take on District 95 host and #2 seed, Harbor Beach on Wednesday, February 28 at 7pm. The two teams previously met back on December 13, 2023 with the Pirates throttling the Lakers, 57-26.