Western Flirts with First SVL Win

Then Drops 51-48 Nail-biter to Saginaw Heritage

February 10, 2008
By: Kevin Leahy

Many close games are won at the charity stripe, unfortunately for Western, games can be lost on the free throw line as they found out Friday night dropping a 51-48 nail biter to the visiting Heritage Hawks.

Although Western (5-10, 0-7) has notched wins against conference foes Bay City Central, Flint Northern and their first meeting against Heritage, none of those games were considered conference games.

The Warriors were down by five at half time and even took the lead 48-47 after Cory Arnold hit three buckets late in the fourth quarter.

The Warriors just couldn't put the Hawks away, but they had their chances.

The Hawks DeShawn Hayes tied the game with a free throw then the Warriors were given their charity chances but missed the front end of two one-and-one opportunities.

Heritage's Calvin Dinsdale then had his chance at the free throw line and calmly knocked down three freebies to finish the scoring.

The gritty Warriors never quit as they had one more chance to tie it up with an offensive inbounds pass with five ticks left.

Warrior coach Chris Watz drew up the three point screen play to perfection if it wasn't for the high flying Heritage sophomore Levario Smith who fought threw the screen and got a piece of Ryan Sebald's potential tying three pointer to end the game.

"We played good we had our opportunities with a three at the end, this was tough as we beat them at their place," said coach Watz after the game.

Chad Jasman led the Warrior offense with 15, while Cory Arnold chipped in 10.

Heritage sophomore, Smith led Heritage with 18.

The Warrior program has the chance to build momentum for next season as they still have two Saginaw Valley League games remaining against Bay City Central and Flint Northern whom they have already beaten this season.

14 Ryan Sebald hit for 2.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

10 Corey Arnold drives on the Heritage defense.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

32 Caleb Boileau fights for this rebound with Heritage's 22 Calvin Dinsdale.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

A host of Warriors challenge for the ball.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

44 Jacob Boileau gave tough board work as he puts in this basket.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

24 Alex Givens gave needed physical presence with this short range basket.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

10 Corey Arnold loses control of the ball on this fast break attempt.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Western's 24 contests the Hawks 32 Jordan Zboralski on this shot.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

44 Jacob Boileau was not to be denied as he prepares to take it to the hoop.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Heritage's 25 Lavario Smith was a handful all night as he twists for the 3rd period basket.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

42 Travis Tithof shows Heritage's 21 Tyler Dwyer that there will be no easy baskets tonight.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Western's cheerleaders go all out for their team.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

The cheerleaders show a new wrinkle to "twist and shout."
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)