Matt Costello shows off his dribbling skills as he takes it to the hoop. Costello scored 24 points (21 in the first half) to lead Western to a 59-34 win. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

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Matt Costello Leads Western Past Midland 59-34

January 15, 2011
By: John Keuvelaar

Western entered their contest with Midland Tuesday night looking to rebound from their first defeat at the hands of Arthur Hill.

Returning from a one game suspension was junior Matt Costello who was determined to make amends for having missed the previous game. While a winter storm blanked the Saginaw Bay region, so did the Western defense as they held the Chemics to single digits in each of the first three quarters en route to a 59-34 victory.

From the opening tip, Western took advantage of their inside height advantage with 6 foot 9 inch post players, Brandon Havercamp and Matt Costello.

Working the ball hard inside, Western dominated the paint overpowering the Chemics defense. But it was Costello's soft touch from the outside that opened things up. The talented junior drained three shots from just inside the arc to go along with his inside scoring as he posted 11 of the 15 first quarter points to stake Western to a 15-0 early lead. It wasn't until Alec Johnson scored with a 1:22 left that the Chemics got on the board and narrowed the margin to 15-5 at the end of the quarter.

Matt Costello lofts a hook shot over Midland's Andrew Wylie.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Matt Costello goes high to reach for a rebound.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Tyler Ellis lays up his drive on Midland's Matthew Magirl.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Tyler Ellis lays it in while being defended by Matthew Smith.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Westerns Pompom Squad put on a great half time show.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Western's Ryan Haag defends the shot by Midland's Anthony Johnson.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

The Western defense kept up their domination with Costello rejecting several shots and Havercamp cleaning up the boards to help Western pull out to a 30 to 13 half time lead. The two combined for 11 blocked shots and 29 rebounds on the night.

Western opened the second half with a Ryan Haag bomb from the outside. The Warriors continued this theme as they worked the ball inside only to dish it back outside for long range buckets. Midland was forced into a perimeter game which was well defended by Western.

The period ended with a strong big man performance as Costello would drive to the bucket and what he didn't knock down, Havercamp rebounded and put back in. The two combined for 37 points with Costello scoring 24, 21 in the first half, and Havercamp adding 13. Play evened out in the final period as both teams went deep into their bench.

But the outcome was never in doubt as Western cruised to a 59-34 victory to improve their record to 6-1 on the year.

David Kolanek lays in two as Matt Magirl puts a little body on him.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Aaron Tithof drives hard as he is defended by David Walter.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Aaron Tithof launches an outside jumper.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Ryan Haag puts the tough defense on Midland's Anthony Johnson.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

Joseph Vieau draws some attention as he advances the ball.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)

David Kolanek shows tough defense.02
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)