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Saginaw's Marquavis Ford lays one in against the defense of Matt Costello. Ford scored double digits as he led all scorers with 18 points. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Saginaw Defense Shuts Down Western, 60-28

February 19, 2011       Leave a Comment
By: John Keuvelaar

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It was a game that had all the hype of an epic battle. It was the perennial champion Saginaw against an excellent Western team searching for their first Saginaw Valley title. While the first quarter showed signs of a tight entertaining contest, Saginaw's full court pressure defense completely shutdown Western as the Trojans ran away with the game and league title, 60-28.

Western's gym was packed including 4 to 6 rows deep standing behind the baskets as fans from both sides watched the anticipated match-up. The first quarter saw Saginaw open with a full court trap defense that their quickness and intensity as they pressured Western's every movement.

The Warriors handled the pressure well as they got the ball inside for good looks by both Matt Costello and Brandon Havercamp. They also handled the high powered Saginaw offense as they kept the ball on the perimeter and shut off any inside effort not just with the two big men but with team defense as well. While this forced Saginaw to take long outside shots, long shots produce long rebounds and those shots bounced over the well positioned Warriors for extra attempts by Saginaw. This helped Saginaw get their shooting eye on track as they pulled away late in the first quarter to build a 15-9 lead.

As if the Trojan pressure wasn't tough enough, they dialed up the full court trap pressure even more. Western found it very difficult to not only inbound the ball but to move it up the court to even attempt to run an offense. Saginaw's quick feet and long reaches blocked off passing lanes or deflected passes creating quick turnovers for fast break points. With Western unable to affectively work their offense, Saginaw outscored the Warriors 17-5 in the quarter to take a commanding first half lead of 32-14.


Jake Walz bats the ball loose as both players try to locate it.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Brandon Havercamp hauls down a rebound.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Dominique Jackson brings up the ball.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Dominique Jackson fires from the top of the key.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Aaron Tithof applies the defense.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Matt Costello drew plenty of attention all night.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)


As if the Saginaw attack wasn't good enough in the first half, the Trojans offense switched to a four corner offense in the second half. Reminiscent of the old college four corner offense, the Trojans place a player in each corner of the offensive zone forcing Western to come out and challenge the ball one on one. As they did all night, Saginaw showed great patience as they were content to hold the ball unless Western came out to challenge. Then the Trojans worked a one on one game in attacking the basket with a in the paint pass once a Warrior stepped in to help.

The strategy almost backfired as the Western defense showed how strong they can be as they were able to challenge the lay up attempts preventing a score and getting the ball up court often before the Saginaw trap could take affect. Western showed signs of getting back into the game as they started narrowing the margin but late in the quarter Saginaw came back to gain a one point advantage for the quarter scoring 9 points to Western's 8 but more importantly increasing their lead to 19 points as they led 41-22 heading in the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter turned into fast break lay up affair. With Western unable to solve the trapping press early, they went to their bench. Saginaw took advantage not only of the turnovers but of Western's need to gamble with passes to get offensive shots in hopes of climbing back into the game. The result was quick outlet passes for fast breaks and a runaway final score of 60-28.

Saginaw's quickness and big game experience showed in the results. For Western, they too now have another big game experience to learn and adjust from and no doubt, to take away from this game valuable lessons. Only time will tell if this experience will serve them well in games to come.

Matt Costello led Western with 11 points while Brandon Havercamp added 9.

Saginaw spread the wealth around as only Marquavis Ford scored double digits as he led all scorers with 18 points.

Western returns to action Friday the 25th as they travel to Midland.


Brandon Havercamp challenges Travion Babers.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Matt Costello was double teamed all night.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Jake Watz pops from outside.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Matt Costello takes it to the hoop.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Ryan Haag gets the ball by Travion Babers for a lay up.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

The Saginaw defense gave Western very few passing lanes.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Travontis Richardson does a backhand lay up on Aaron Tithof.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Dominique Jackson has too much height for Jake Watz.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Matt Costello swats the shot out of the air.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)


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John Keuvelaar

John Keuvelaar is a college student at Midwest Photography Workshops and Delta College.

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