The Adrian Blackhawks took on the Rich Hill in the Tigers new dome gymnasium Friday night to close out the WEMO schedule. Adrian led many times in the game and were poised for the biggest upset of the year. Rich Hill came into the game undefeated but only one game up on the Blackhawks and Osceola Indians for the conference title.
Adrian led late in the third period. Shots were going in, defense was frustrating the Tigers and breaks were going the Blackhawks way. And then the bottom fell out. Rich Hill made a couple of shots to regain the lead then capitalized off of a couple of Blackhawk miscues before hitting a half court buzzer beater to end the third period. In the blink of an eye the Tigers were up ten points to begin the fourth quarter.
The sudden explosion of points energized Rich Hill and gave them the confidence and swagger that comes with being 24-0. Rich Hill owned the fourth quarter that included an impressive alley-oop dunk by Bryant Courter. Adrian fell 60-80 in a strange ending to a game that was fought tooth-and-nail for three quarters. Sure, it was a blow out on the scoreboard but, like in the Archie Tournament it was a blowout only in the final score. In each game the Blackhawks matched up well and took the fight to the Tigers. But, in order to beat a team as good as Rich Hill it takes a full four quarters of excellent play.
The boys have nothing to hang their heads about after this game. They know they can play with the Tigers. They also know it will take them playing their best for four quarters without any loss of focus to be victorious.
District play starts this week. Rich Hill is seeded #1 with Adrian seeded #2. If things go well the two teams will meet up for a third and final time for the district championship and a chance to move on the the state tournament.
Adrian led late in the third period. Shots were going in, defense was frustrating the Tigers and breaks were going the Blackhawks way. And then the bottom fell out. Rich Hill made a couple of shots to regain the lead then capitalized off of a couple of Blackhawk miscues before hitting a half court buzzer beater to end the third period. In the blink of an eye the Tigers were up ten points to begin the fourth quarter.
The sudden explosion of points energized Rich Hill and gave them the confidence and swagger that comes with being 24-0. Rich Hill owned the fourth quarter that included an impressive alley-oop dunk by Bryant Courter. Adrian fell 60-80 in a strange ending to a game that was fought tooth-and-nail for three quarters. Sure, it was a blow out on the scoreboard but, like in the Archie Tournament it was a blowout only in the final score. In each game the Blackhawks matched up well and took the fight to the Tigers. But, in order to beat a team as good as Rich Hill it takes a full four quarters of excellent play.
The boys have nothing to hang their heads about after this game. They know they can play with the Tigers. They also know it will take them playing their best for four quarters without any loss of focus to be victorious.
District play starts this week. Rich Hill is seeded #1 with Adrian seeded #2. If things go well the two teams will meet up for a third and final time for the district championship and a chance to move on the the state tournament.
Comments
Post a Comment