The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
DUTCHMEN DENIED IN OVERTIME HEARTBREAKER
No. 7-ranked Pirates escape Manchester with narrow victory
By Ed Patino, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 7, 2008
There were no shortage of tense moments when the Manchester varsity boys' basketball team faced Cascades Conference leading Napoleon Jan. 31.
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Despite going toe-to-toe with a Class C state power, the Flying Dutchmen's upset bid fell short as the Pirates pulled out a 42-37 overtime victory before a spirited crowd at Manchester High School.
The game featured seven lead changes and four ties. Manchester (5-9, 4-5 Cascades) held the lead for most of the second half, but the Pirates forced overtime with an inside basket by Brok VanZandt with 1:02 remaining. With new life, Napoleon (13-1, 9-0 Cascades) scored all five points in overtime to maintain its standing on top of the conference.
Despite the result, Manchester coach Bryan Barnard was proud of his team's effort against the Pirates, who entered the game ranked No. 7 in the Class C state polls.
"The kids did everything we told them to do and played their blood off," Barnard said. "They're great kids to coach, and they believe what the coaches tell them. This team can do some good things."
The Dutchmen had two chances to take back the game. With less than 10 seconds left in regulation, Justin Welton broke free from Napoleon's defense and had an open three-point shot, but the ball rimmed out. Trailing by three in the final seconds of overtime, Welton appeared to be fouled while shooting a potential tying three-pointer, but no foul was called and the Pirates rebounded the ball. Drew French sealed the win with a pair of free throws with 3.1 seconds remaining.
"We were able to run the perfect play at the end of the game," Barnard said. "Corwin (Every) did a great job drawing their defense and Justin wants the ball in that situation. It's great to have a player who wants to take that shot."
Manchester neutralized the Pirates' speed by holding on to the ball for the first two minutes. Though they turned the ball over twice, the Dutchmen eventually got baskets from Every, Welton and Sam Brown to open up a 6-2 lead. Marshawn Norris answered with a three-pointer and French scored on a drive, but Trevor Hanewald's basket on the ensuing possession gave Manchester the lead back.
The teams exchanged baskets into the second quarter until Norris sparked an 8-2 Napoleon run. The junior hit a pair of free throws and two three-pointers to build a 21-15 Pirate lead.
The Dutchmen answered back and closed the first half with an 8-0 run of their own. Putbacks by Brown and Hanewald and a free throw by Clayton Every pulled Manchester to within one and set up a big play at the end of the half. After Napoleon threw the ball out of bounds, Corwin Every took the inbound at half court, then dished to brother Clayton, who got behind the Pirates and buried a three-pointer at the buzzer, giving Manchester a 23-21 lead at the break.
"Corwin got the ball, didn't panic and kicked it over to Clayton," Barnard said. "Clayton gave us a great boost off the bench and picked us up on offense."
Manchester kept the Pirates frustrated by holding the ball for the first 4:28 of the third quarter. Brown hit two free throws and Clayton Every scored a layup, giving the Dutchmen a 27-21 lead with two minutes left in the quarter.
"We were able to spread them out to take away their quickness," Barnard said. "If you try to run with them you promote too many defensive breakdowns on your end. We wanted to pull their defenders out to half court and run the clock."
Jonathan Curtis finally got Napoleon's first basket of the half with 1:43 left in the third quarter, but Welton canned a missile moments later, giving Manchester a seven-point lead, its biggest of the night.
Napoleon pulled to within four by the end of the third, then opened the fourth quarter with six straight points as the Dutchmen went cold from the floor. VanZandt tied the game with an inside basket, then scored again in the paint with 4:50 left, giving the Pirates a 32-30 lead.
Welton put in a finger roll and Brown scored inside, giving Manchester a two-point lead. Norris buried another three-pointer for a one-point lead, but Welton sank a missile of his own with 1:25 left, giving the Dutchmen a 37-35.
Norris hit his fourth triple of the night 20 seconds into overtime, giving Napoleon a 40-37 lead. The Dutchmen methodically set up for the final shot of overtime before Welton attempted to draw a foul with three Pirates on him on his three-point attempt that fell short.
"If we were going to win, we needed a call to go our way," Barnard said. "We couldn't get one."
Welton finished with 15 points to lead the Dutchmen. Brown added eight points, while Clayton Every scored six points.
Norris finished with a game-high 18 points for Napoleon. Curtis threw in 11 points, while VanZandt finished with six points.
The game also marked the return of former Manchester player Zach Ysassi, who is now a reserve guard for Napoleon. Ysassi dressed but didn't play in the game.
The Dutchmen traveled to Vandercook Lake for a league game Tuesday after the newspaper's deadline. They return to action Friday when they visit Addison.
Dutchmen vs. Washtenaw Christian
The Manchester varsity boys' basketball team rode a strong first quarter and held on for a57-48 victory over the Washtenaw Christian Academy Wildcats in a non-conference game Jan. 29.
Justin Welton scored 18 points to lead the Flying Dutchmen, while Trevor Hanewald added 13 points. Corwin Every finished with 11 points for Manchester.
Justin Govan scored a game-high 22 points to lead Washtenaw Christian.
Staff Writer Ed Patino can be reached at 428-8173 or epatino@heritage.com.
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