The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Dutchmen drain Grass Lake
LaCross leads way in 52-43 Manchester win
By Ed Patino, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 8, 2007
During its recent hot streak, the Manchester varsity boys' basketball team has had different players step up with big games.
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Jake LaCross had his turn Friday as the senior led all scorers and sparked the Flying Dutchmen to a 52-43 victory over the Grass Lake Warriors at the Joe Bechtel Athletic Complex.
Manchester (5-9, 4-5 Cascades) has won three straight games and five of its last six.
LaCross did most of his damage in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of his game-high 19 points and helping the Dutchmen take control of a close game.
"We've been getting a lot out of Jake lately," Manchester coach Bryan Barnard said. "We're getting 15 to 20 points in the post, and we've been consistent on the perimeter. That's helped us stretch the defense and run our offense."
With his team clinging to a one-point lead, LaCross scored three inside baskets to open the fourth quarter, then Greg Schaible's putback increased Manchester's lead to 44-35.
Consecutive baskets by Austin Cole and Dennis Brown pulled Grass Lake to within five midway through the fourth, but Zach Benedict answered with a layup. Two minutes later, LaCross got behind the Warriors' defense for another inside bucket and sank a pair of free throws, giving the Dutchmen a 50-41 lead with 1:16 remaining.
The teams exchanged free throws in the final minute.
"We finally got everyone healthy, and now we have good team chemistry," Barnard said. "Everyone is playing their role well and excepting their role on the team."
That especially has been the case in the fourth quarter recently. Last week, the Dutchmen held East Jackson to three points in the fourth, sparking a comeback victory. On Friday, Manchester outscored the Warriors 16-8 in the final quarter.
"It's having the will and the want to win," Barnard said. "The guys have a good attitude and believe they can win a close game."
The teams played to a 13-13 deadlock in the first quarter, but Manchester took control with a 12-4 run early in the second.
LaCross scored to inside baskets and Randy Kleinschmidt sank a jumper midway through the quarter, giving the Dutchmen a six-point lead. Later, Schaible hit a jumper and Nick Ball went coast-to-coast for a layup, making it 27-19.
Brown hit a late jumper for Grass Lake, but LaCross answered with one of his own, putting the Dutchmen up 30-24 at halftime.
"Jake did a good job getting into position and played big," Barnard said. "We felt good going to the hot hand tonight, especially in the fourth quarter."
The Warriors fought back to within one on Zach Smith's basket midway through the third quarter, but Schaible quickly answered with a jumper, giving Manchester a 34-31 lead. After trading points, Zach Mottes scored an inside basket for Grass Lake, making it 36-35 at the end of the frame.
Along with his 19 points, LaCross grabbed ???? rebounds. Schaible added 11 points, while Benedict and Kleinschmidt each finished with six points.
"Zach did a great job defensively and shut down their leading scorer," Barnard said.
The Dutchmen held Grass Lake standout Trevor Kuenz to 11 points on the night. Smith added nine points, while Cole had six points for the Warriors.
The Dutchmen return to action Friday when they travel to Vandercook Lake.
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