All Saints Defeats the "Undefeatable" North Huron 50-45
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Cougars Fans celebrate a priceless victory!
(All MyBayCity Photo by Kevin Kula)
"Twenty one and one...priceless." That was the message proudly carried by Cougar fan Justin Mika and the rest of the Cougar supporters who poured into Akron-Fairgroves packed gymnasium for the showdown between the All Saints Cougars, and the unbeaten (21-0) North Huron Warriors. In this match-up between two equally matched teams, defense was what you needed - that, and #34 Mario Walker.
Cougars Senior DeMario Walker put the Cougars over the top for the District Title.
If either team had expected a quick, decisive victory, they were woefully mistaken. Everyone inside Akron-Fairgroves' gym realized quickly that both teams had come to take home the district title - no exceptions.
Defense went right to work.
The Cougars were put on the defensive early, after Warrior #20 Sean Clancy snagged the tip-off. All Saints' steeled defenders went to work and denied the Warriors any early points; however, when the Cougars began their first drive they too found themselves met by the same unrelenting defense. The offensive stalemate continued until nearly three minutes were gone in the opening period when the Warriors drew first blood. The Cougars answered right back with a quick pass deep to #34 Walker, who promptly put his team on the board.
Warriors score first in this battle for the District crown.
Back and forth the game went. Both teams managed to keep the game knotted up or occasionally taking a two point lead. Such leads were quickly overcome by the other teams determined offense. At the end of the first the score reflected the tough defense being exhibited on the court. The game was tied, 12-12.
ASC's 6'6" Thomas Villano blocks this shot by #42 Irvine.
Warrior Sean Clancy(#20)was North Huron's top shooter with 18pts.
The defensive war that had been the story of the first period continued into the second. Both teams fought hard on offense, but found themselves engulfed by their opponents unyielding defenders. Once again, neither team gained a point until midway through the period when the Warriors added two points to their score. The Cougars answered right back, this time with Walker from the free throw line.
Adam Pijaszek(#20) blocked this Iseler(35)shot.
Mario Walker ties the game up at 14.
Mario Walker regained the lead seconds later for the Cougars with another of his patented lay-ups from deep in the zone. A free throw point from Warrior #35 Jonathon Iseler put North Huron one point behind All Saints. Cougar #20 Adam Pijaszek chipped in with a free throw point to give the Cougars their two point lead again; however, the Warrior #35 Iseler once again stepped up to the free throw line and sunk both of his shots. The first half ended at this point, leaving the game in a deadlock of 19-19.
ABOVE:Cougars Adam Pijaszek sets to shoot as Ventline #22 anticipates this shot.BELOW: Pijaszek's patience pays off.
Despite questionable fouls that plagued All Saints' morale in the second period, the Cougars sent a clear message to North Huron in the opening moments of the third that they weren't going to give up. The Cougars struck first this time with another lay-up from #34 Mario Walker, and then a Warrior defensive error put Walker on a breakaway that put the Cougar ahead by four points. The Warriors answered right back with an invaluable 3-pointer that put them back within one.
ABOVE: DeMario Walker's fist layup sets the tone for the second half. BELOW: Then he adds a matching one on a breakaway.
North Huron tied it up a minute later with some free throws, and then began to take the game away from the Cougars. A 2-pointer, followed by another killer 3-pointer put the Warriors up 29-24 over the tired Cougars. To help their ailing team, the Cougars fans made their support know to all with their incessant cheering. The support helped, but the Cougars still had a considerable deficit facing them at the end of the third period. With only one period left to play, the Cougars were down 33-27.
The Warriors added another two points to their score early in fourth, but the Cougars reply came swiftly with a lay-up from key defensemen #33 BJ Weaver. Two minutes into the final period the Warriors held unto a seemingly untouchable nine point lead with the score at 40-31.
BJ Weaver came thru in the 4th scoring all of his 6pts for the Cougars.
Cougars Senior Cameron Coburn chipped in these 2pts in the 3rd .
The Cougars hung on but still faced a deficit. With no timeouts left, and most of his seniors on the brink of fouling out, All Saints Coach Mike Showalter thought the Cougars were going to "come up short." Not if #20 Adam Pijaszek had anything to do about it. Pijaszek, who was having an off night as far as 3-pointers were concerned, finally sank one invaluable 3-pointer that gave his team some hope with only a little over two minutes left. But Adam wasn't done yet; only 21 seconds later he put another 3-points on the board putting his team back in the game, trailing North Huron 44-43.
Cougars Adam Pijaszek hit for 2 - 3pt shots to rally the team.
Cougars fans go crazy as they take the lead at the end of the 4th!
The Cougars finalized their comeback with a pair of 2-pointers that put the game back in their favor 47-44. The Cougars' attention now turned to defending their newfound lead. #33 Weaver fouled out defending All Saints narrow lead - North Huron scored one off of this foul. With little time left #14 Cameron Coburn cut down a Warrior 3-point shot that could have spelled the end for the Cougars' post-season.
ASC's Cameron Coburn stops Ventline's 3pt shot shutting down North Huron.
Senior Aaron Janer adds his 2pts at the end to seal the deal on the District title!
At this point the Cougars took control of the game. With only a scant 30 seconds left on the clock #3 Aaron Janer tacked two more points unto the board to cement the Cougars victory. The Cougars scored one more free-throw point before time expired and, for the second year in a row, captured the District Title for All Saints.
As the clock expires - the team celebrates!
While it was Pijaszek's last minute 3-pointers that saved the day, Coach Showalter praised #34 Mario Walker, who scored half of the Cougars total 50 points, saying "he's quick with the ball", and ironically adding "he's a warrior." Showalter also said that "BJ Weaver is the unsung hero of this game", Weaver "tied up Clancy, and allowed our defense to pick up". Of all the Cougars victories this season, Showalter claims that this was "the hardest earned one." Walker #34 says of the Cougars: "we wanted it bad, so we gave it 110% instead of 100%". With this victory, the Cougars have earned a ticket into the Regional playoffs that begin early next week.
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