Western's Matt Costello adds a little 'Body English' to this jumper. Costello led all scorers with 22 points while pulling down 12 rebounds. (All MyBayCity Photos by John Keuvelaar)
Western Controls The Boards And Heritage, 58-36
(All MyBayCity Photos by John Keuvelaar)
February 5, 2011
By: John Keuvelaar
In their earlier meeting, Heritage had hung with Western through the first half. The Warriors appeared determined not to let that happen again especially while they are missing their key point guard Tyler Ellis. Dominating the inside and with outside scoring help, Western built a 12 point halftime lead before exploding in the third quarter to cruise to a 58-36 SVL win.
The Warrior came out strong with a 9-2 run. And while Heritage concentrated on trying to keep the inside threat of Matt Costello and Brandon Havercamp under control, Jake Watz and Aaron Titoff each hit a three while senior captain Ryan Haag added 6 points helping lead the Warriors to a 20-12 first quarter lead.
While tight defense by both teams controlled the second quarter, it was the inside play that held Heritage at bay. Limiting the Hawks to their initial shot by dominating on the boards, Costello and Havercamp accounted for 9 of their teams 10 second quarter points while helping to hold Heritage to 6 points. The tough play gave the Warriors a 30-18 halftime lead.
David Jensen shoots from the outside.
Brandon Havercamp pulls up for the jumper while this Hawk tries to draw a foul.
Trevon Johnson is struggling to see the basket through the "trees".
David Kolanek drives the ball up court.
David Kolanek starts to drive on PJ Walker.
Another Hawk tries to score between John and Matt Costello.
Ryan Haag goes up and around Mitchell Sallmen for a shot.
Western emerged from the locker room with even greater intensity along with some adjustments. Matt Costello completely took over the game both offensively and defensively. While dominating the inside play, he also hit two three's to score 10 points for the quarter. Ryan Haag and Aaron Titoff each added 4 to lead Western on a 19 point surge. As impressive as this was, the Warrior team played tight defense forcing the Hawks into tough shots that were quickly grabbed the Western as the Hawks were held to 6 third quarter points allowing Western to build a 49-24 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Heritage was only able to chip three points of that lead away thanks in part to their 7 for 8 free throw shooting. But the Warriors had already secured their twelfth win of the season as they finished with a 58-36 win.
Matt Costello led all scorers with 22 points while pulling down 12 rebounds. Ryan Haag added 13 with Aaron Titoff chipping in with 9.
Heritage was led by Walker with 10 points while Deon Fleming and Sallmen added 5 each.
David Kolanek shoots for two.
Matt Costello adds the finishing touch on a slam dunk.
Brandon Havercamp draws a lot of attention around the basket.
David Kolanek and Mitchell Sallmen battle for the ball.
Trevon Johnson shoots over the outstretched arm of Matt Costello.
The basketball version of keep away.
Ryan Haag goes airborn for another scoop to score shot.
David Kolanek runs out of court as he is forced out of bounds.
Ryan Haag tries to save the ball from going out of bounds.
They battled for possession to the end.
