Girl’s Basketball: Big first quarter leads varsity Chargers past Chemics

by Cory Butzin

In a game where anticipation and excitement builds for weeks, it was one quarter that made all the difference Friday.

The Midland Dow varsity basketball team got hot from the field early and rolled off 16 consecutive points that proved to be the difference as Dow was able to come away with a 54-33 win against Midland High at Midland High School.

“It’s rivalry week, and both teams really go at it,” said Dow coach Bob Wellman. “Neither team wants to lose, and it usually gets ugly to start. We calmed ourselves and got a nice lead in that first quarter.”

Hustle and intensity dominated the first quarter as both teams battled to gain momentum. It favored the Chargers early.

A stifling Dow defense and precision passing helped Dow’s hot shooters torch the nets and build a 20-4 lead in the first.

“You can’t let any team score 20 points in a quarter and know you’re going to win,” said Midland coach Elaine Mahabir.

The Chemics settled down in the second, as they were able to play solid defense and benefit from Dow being in the penalty. Midland converted 8-of-13 from the charity stripe in the second to cut Dow’s lead to 29-18.

“If I had known my kids would battle that way in a man defense, we would have been man from the start,” Mahabir said.

The physicality of the game continued in the second half as the Chemics were determined to cut into the seemingly insurmountable lead, but it seemed as if the Chargers couldn’t miss. Every time Midland strung together a couple buckets, Dow would answer with a couple of their own.

The two teams traded baskets in the third, with little change in the point spread as Dow was able to take a twelve point lead into the final quarter.

Midland was able to stay with Dow early in the fourth, but the Charger’s size proved too much to handle. Once Dow reached the bonus any chance of a comeback disappeared as the Chargers converted their free-throws to push its lead to as many as 22 points and coast to the victory.

Dow was led offensively by Taylor Mantyla, who came off the bench to score 12 points. Becca Mills and Leah kebler added 10 and nine points, respectively.

Courtney Nartker led the Chemics with six points, while Jessica Jarema and Lauren Haines contributed five apiece.

“That’s nice always to get any kind of win,” Wellman said. “It’s a lot easier to enjoy our Christmas break coming off a win, especially a win against Midland High.”

The win pushed Dow’s record to 7-1 on the season and 4-0 in league play. They returned to action Dec. 28 when they travel to take on the Lancers of Bullock Creek. Game time is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

Midland’s loss dropped its record to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in the Saginaw Valley. The Chemics are off until Jan. 3 when they travel to take on Arthur Hill. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

For more photos from Friday’s game click on “Photo Slideshow” in the top right corner of this article.

Photos by Jason Wolverton