Boy’s Basketball: JV Chargers stop Chemics

by Cory Butzin

The Chargers press kept the Chemics out of rhythm Thursday, and the Midland Dow junior varsity boy’s basketball team hit their free throws down the stretch to hold on for a 57-49 win over their cross-town rival at H.H. Dow High School.

“We’ve been playing a lot better since Christmas,” said Dow coach Doug Bradford. “It’s a big win, and of course, it’s always fun to beat Midland.”

Dow started the game pressing Midland hard. They forced the Chemics into several turnovers and blocked three shots in the first quarter, but still found themselves trailing 16-13.

The game began to turn in Dow’s favor in the second, though. Midland went cold from the field, and the Chargers were able to take advantage of turnovers and Chemic foul trouble to convert from the field and take a 32-25 lead into the half.

“Defensively we did not give our best effort,” said Midland coach Mark Dickerson. “We gave up too many layups. We gave up the baseline and second-chance shots, things you can’t do if you expect to win.”

The Chargers press continued to trouble the Chemics in the third quarter. Midland’s hope for a comeback took a blow when they reached the penalty with close to three minutes remaining.

“We didn’t press them a lot the first time,” Bradford said. “And we thought that if we pressed them it would take them out of their offense.”

That had worked, but it seemed like the momentum began to turn Midland’s way early in the fourth when a Charger foul put the Chemics in the bonus with six minutes left.

That seemed to inspire Midland as they made a furious charge to get back in the game. They started generating turnovers and hitting shots to cut the deficit to three.

However, the wind was taken out of Midland’s sails with three minutes left when David Fennell hit a wide-open three to push Dow’s lead back to six.

“We did have a bit of a run going there, and that was the dagger,” Dickerson said of the three. “We had a good momentum swing, and that put a stop to it.”

Morgan Iseler responded with a three for the Chemics, but the damage was done. Midland couldn’t bring the score any closer, and Dow was able to convert from the charity stripe to hold on for the win.

“I am real happy for the kids,” Bradford said. “This is a big win.”

Offensively, Dow was led by Fennell who finished with 14 points and four steals, while Jordan Herman contributed 14 points and four assists.

Ben Singer led Midland with eight points and six rebounds, while Alex Stevenson had seven points and six steals.

Dow improved to 6-7 on the season. They return to action Tuesday when they travel to Saginaw to take on Heritage. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Meanwhile Midland’s record falls to 10-1. They look to get back on track Tuesday when they travel to Bay City Western to battle the warriors. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m.