Central's Robert Craver drives the lane for two. Craver led all scorers with 22 points.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

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Central Out-Duels Pinconning in Double Overtime, 65-59

January 28, 2012       Leave a Comment
By: John Keuvelaar

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It was an exciting game throughout the evening as both sides withstood ebbs and flows which took them to double overtime. In the end it was the high pressure, ball hawking defense of the Wolves that finished off the Spartans as Central captured a hard fought six point victory.

Both teams started off working the perimeter being satisfied with a long range attack. Pinconning's Ryan Willis and Central's Paul Sevilla exchanged a pair of three point baskets. The long range shooting also accounted for little foul calls as only Pinconning reached the foul line once hitting 1 of 2 shots. It was the Wolves that carried a slight edge in shooting as they held a 17-14 lead entering the second quarter.

While Pinconning worked the perimeter, they focused on getting the ball inside for shorter range shots. The quick movements opened up shots inside but the ball refused to drop keeping Central in the game. On the opposite end of the court, Central would challenge the lane only to kick it out for outside shots. Pinconning held the slight edge in this quarter as both teams headed into the intermission with Central up by one, 25-24.

Pinconning started the second half strong hitting their outside shots which opened up the inside lanes. Senior Collin Lorenz took advantage of inside shots adding to a strong Spartan quarter. Central stayed with their long range plans but cold shooting and Pinconning's uncontested rebounds helped the Spartans build what appeared to be a commanding 37-29 lead.

Central then dialed up their defense. While the Wolves often used a full court press, the Spartans had handled the pressure without much problem. But the Wolves seemed more determined as they trapped harder seemingly putting Pinconning off balance forcing turnovers that resulted in easy baskets. Coupling this with tight guarding and the quick hands of point guard Robert Craver, the Wolves literally stole their way back into the game.

Central then evened the score up at 44 with 1:17 left to play. After the Wolves took the lead on a steal, Pinconning's Cole Schlicker tied the game up again from the free throw line with 11 seconds to play. Central had the chance to finish it out in regulation time but when the shot bounced off the front of the rim, it was extra basketball time for all.

Central's defensive pressure carried over into the extra stanza. Their smothering full and half court pressure kept the Spartans from getting control of the game and Central showed signs of blowing the game open. But the determined Spartans would not go quietly and fought their way back to force a second overtime at 54 all.

Like snow on the Metro-dome roof, Central's relentless pressure got the best of Pinconning as Central outscored the Spartans 11-5 to record a 65-59 win.

Robert Craver lead Central with 22 points while Paul Sevilla added 20. Pinconning was lead by the inside shooting of Collin Lorenz who scored 17 points. Greg Kazmierski and Cole Schlicker each added 9 for the Spartans.

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

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