Kingsford's Jett Bluckley scores during a Jan. 8 game against Gladstone at Flivver Gym. Buckley netted 18 points Tuesday in Kingsford's 56-42 win over Cheboygan in an MHSAA Division 2 regional semifinal in Manistique. (Terry Raiche photo)

MANISTIQUE – The Kingsford Flivvers came out of the gates quickly, building a double-digit lead early in the second quarter, and went on to defeat the Cheboygan Chiefs 56-42 in a MHSAA Division 2 Regional 9 semifinal Tuesday at Manistique High School.

The Flivvers, the two-time defending regional champion, grabbed a 16-8 advantage after the first quarter and built it to 30-16 by halftime.

The Chiefs (18-7) closed the gap to 10 in the middle of the third quarter but got no closer.

KHS coach Benjamin Olsen praised his team’s defense in the win.

“Our defensive pressure helped us extend the lead and then maintain it,” he said. “We didn’t shoot the ball extremely well, but our defense made up for that.

“We’ve been talking all year about how defense travels and that was definitely the case today. When offense struggles you have to rely on defense to carry the load and it did that.”

Jett Buckley and Gaige Sorenson scored six points each in the opening period to help the Flivvers (17-6) claim the inside track. Each player finished with 18 points to lead Kingsford, which has won 12 of its last 14 games after a 5-4 start to the season.

Olsen said his team’s offensive rebounding was key, as was its free throw shooting. The Flivvers connected on 10 of 13 (77%) in the game, while Cheboygan shot just 4 of 9.

Aside from the production of Buckley and Sorenson, seniors Owen Olkkonen and Jack Kriegl supplied eight points apiece.

With their win, the Flivvers will see the Ludington (23-2) for the third straight year in the regional final. Kingsford won the previous two games – a 37-34 thriller in 2024 and a 75-35 rout last season.

But Olsen said his team is in store for a great challenge in the final tonight at Gaylord High School.

“We will have our work cut out for us as we play a very skilled, fast Ludington team,” he said. “We have given ourselves a chance and at this time of year that’s all you can ask for. A chip and a chair.”

KINGSFORD – Olkkonen 4 0-0 8, Buckley 6 6-7 18, Kriegl 2 4-4 8, Laurila 1 0-0 2, Sorenson 9 0-0 18, Sundquist 1 0-2 2. Totals: 23 10-13 56. 3-point field goals: None.

CHEBOYGAN – Gahn 3 0-0 6, C. Kiefer 1 0-0 2, Smith 4 0-2 10, Mix 1 0-0 2, Schley 5 1-4 11, A. Kiefer 4 3-3 11. Totals: 18 4-9 42. 3-point field goals: 2 (Smith 2).

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Compiled by Daily News sports correspondent Jerry DeRoche.