All Saints All-Staters in attendance from left to right: Al Laskowski, John Pike, Bill Harris, Jeff Szczepanski Drew Janer. (MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar) ALL SAINTS BASKETBALL:
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Thursday night's basketball game was billed as more than a game against Akron-Fairgrove. This was an opportunity to reflect on the past triumphs and accomplishments of the All Saints basketball program. With this in mind, the team returned to the old St. Joe's gym where the program all started back in 1969.
In a pre-game ceremony, All Saints brought out their first team All-State players giving a brief history of each member's individual and team accomplishments. Those honored and with most of them present were Dick Heintskill, Drew Janer, John Pike, Al Laskowski, Gary Rasdorf, Mark Talaga, Billy Harris and Jeff Szczepanski . Also prominently mentioned was the back to back State Championship teams of 1974 and 1975 of which Mark Talaga was a member of the 1974 team while Bill Harris was a member of both teams as well as being a member of the MHSAA First Team for both his Junior and Senior year.
Soon the past turned to the present as the teams took the floor for what turn out to be a very fun and exciting game to watch. What quickly stood out was the impact the St. Joe gym had, both on the past high scoring games and on this present game. The shorter court turned a rebound and outlet pass into an immediate scoring opportunity. Offensive players had to quickly adjust from following their shot to getting back on defense as a rebound could easily find an open player ripe for a pass and a layup. This fast pace action was just plain fun to watch.
Both teams played and in your face tight man defense while the Cougars added a suffocating man full court press. Akron Fairgrove countered the pressure by grabbing rebounds and making quick pinpoint passes to get the ball down court in the blink of an eye. All Saints used a fast pace half court passing attack to free up shots. Overall both teams initially struggled with their shooting accuracy as they attempted to adjust to the faster pace game. For the quarter, it was All Saints team rebounding attack that gave them the edge over Akron's Austin Fader who literally stood at least a head if not a shoulder above the Cougar competition. The extra Cougar shots helped push them to a 16-11 lead to begin the second quarter.
The second quarter seemed to prove to be the deciding quarter for the game. All Saints had been utilizing most of their bench in the first quarter rotating players in and out to keep them fresh and getting them involved early. Akron did not enjoy the same luxury. The Cougar ball hawking defense created several turnovers up front while also stealing rebounds which produced breakaways leading the Cougars to streak to a 35 to 13 edge before the midway point of the second quarter. Of special note was guard Justin Bates who created many turnovers at the top of the key with his quick hands. Noah Peterson joined in the attack as he stepped in to intercept many pressured passes. The pair combined for 19 points in the quarter with Peterson tallying with 12 including two three-pointers while Bates knocked down 7. A-F was able to stop the bleeding some with a couple long passes off the rebound finding a teammate breaking down court for a quick score. The Vikings continued this strategy of sending a player deep on a Cougar shot and finding him off the rebound to help respond from being down by 22 points to draw within 10 points near the end of the first half. But the Cougars gained some back with a quick two and a buzzer beater three pointer to take a 42-27 lead into the locker room.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
The speed and intensity of the first three quarters became evident on the Vikings as they started the fourth quarter. The Cougars pressure and freshness produced many steals and quick baskets as All Saints rolled up 8 points in the first two and a half minutes. It was Fader's layup at the five minute mark that stopped the 10 point run and seemed to ignite a wildfire in both teams. The game turned into an old fashion shootout as at first Fader knocked down three straight shots with All Saints immediately responding with buckets of their own. The even faster paced action saw shot after shot drop on both ends of the court barely giving the announcer time to say who just scored.
The final run and gun style was not only fun for both sides to watch, it was even more impressive on the effort of Akron-Fairgrove. When you consider that their starters played most of, if not the whole game yet still had game left in them, it was a testament to the character. The game ended with All Saints registering an 83-64 win. But this was more than just a game tonight. It was a reflection of the schools successful past and glimpse of the continued success that is to follow.
All Saints Noah Peterson led all scorers with 21 points while Justin Bates added 16 off the bench and Nick Hunter added 15.
Akron-Fairgrove was led by big man Austin Fader who scored 18 while teammates Nick Maguire knocked down 17 points and Drew Hunter chipped in 10 points.
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
(MyBayCity Photo by John Keuvelaar)
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"The BUZZ" - Read Feedback From Readers! |
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Robbiej45 Says:
On April 05, 2016
at 12:21 PM
I would like to see if someone has the game film of Bay City vs Negaunee game. That was the actual State Championship game. Cassapolis was blown out.
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John Keuvelaar |
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