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But the Elks struggled to stay with the Ramblers in the third quarter, and were outscored by 11 points enroute to a 60-47 loss in the Lake Michigan Conference.

"Andy Kenney has been suspended from his coaching responsibilities for the remainder of the season," athletic director Jim Standerfer wrote in an e-mail statement.

"He used inappropriate language toward members of the varsity basketball team. Luke Johnson, our (junior varsity) coach, has been appointed interim head coach."

Mike Misico took over as the junior varsity coach for the rest of the season.

Elk Rapids got off to a ragged start, trailing the Ramblers 5-0 early in the game before rallying to tie the score 7-7 with 3:38 remaining in the first quarter.

Boyne City zoomed back out to a 13-8 lead late in the first quarter, but Zac Dreffs stole the ball and scored on a layup to cut the deficit to 13-10 at the end of the period.

The Ramblers opened the second quarter with a 9-0 run to build a 19-10 lead. Dan Remsberg's basket extended it to 11 points, 24-13, with 2:52 left in the first half.

Consecutive baskets by Brandon Tully and Ian Sliger brought the Elks within seven points, 31-24. Boyne City made it a nine-point game at the half, 33-24.

But the Elks were outscored 17-6 in the third and trailed by 20 points, 50-30, entering the fourth.

Sam Wittbrodt and Charlie Hoch scored 12 points each to lead the Elks. Zac Dreffs contributed 9 points.

Robby Jensen pumped in a game-high 20 points for the Ramblers. Trever Kruzel put in 16 points and Dan Remsberg added 10. Hoch also hauled down 7 rebounds and Brendan Tully had 6 for the Elks, who had 20 as a team.

"I felt we had great looks at the basket all night, but shots didn't fall for one reason or another," Johnson said.

The Elks finished the game shooting just 14-of-53 from the field for a chilly 26 percent. They were 16-of-25 at the free throw line for 64 percent.

Elk Rapids was also outrebounded, 30-20.

"We have to get down to basics ... defend, rebound, take good care of the ball and get good shots," Johnson said.

"If we do those four things we will have a good chance to win, if not we will struggle. On Friday, we did one of those four things (get good shots). Hopefully, we will continue to improve and compete and get something going here coming into districts next week."