From the Wikipedia entry:
“What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Patrick Henry – speech to the Virginia Convention, March 23, 1775
Patrick Henry was of course a key figure in the America Revolution precisely for this quote. But he was also Governor of Virginia, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and a practicing attorney. First and foremost, however, he was a long time legislator in the Virginia House of Burgesses.
As such, he became well known for his oratorical skills. Following along in the Wikipedia entry:
The Ear-witnesses to Henry's hypnotic orations remarked that while they always seemed to be convincing in the moment, they had a difficult time remembering exactly what he had said immediately afterwards: according to Thomas Jefferson, "Although it was difficult, when [Henry] had spoken, to tell what he had said, yet, while speaking, it always seemed directly to the point. When he had spoken in opposition to my opinion, had produced a great effect, and I myself had been highly delighted and moved, I have asked myself, when he ceased, 'What the devil has he said?' and could never answer the inquiry."
On Saturday January 8, 2011, Maumee Valley faced Division III Liberty Center from the NWOAL (not to be confused with Patrick Henry HS, also from the NWOAL). While there were no stunning orators speaking last night, Julius Turner decided to cast his own hypnotic spell on the Tigers’ defense during the second and third quarters. And just as Colonel Henry was not the sole founder of our great Country, Julius was also one of a larger group which fought for a cause and won a victory – this night for the flag of Blue and White on the field known as the Varsity Gymnasium.
Game Summary
Maumee Valley defeated the Liberty Center Tigers tonght at the Varsity Gym 50-33 behind stifling defense and a trio of double digit scorers. The game was close through the third quarter, as LC whittled a 22-13 half time Hawk lead down to 22-20.
But Julius Turner, in his finest game to date wearing the Blue and White, scored the next six points to pull MV away again and the home team never looked back.
The Blue and White moved to 6-2 on the season following the win.
Starting five – Dave Brown (’13), Rick Deichert (’12), Jared Sturt (’12), Dixon Stoddard (’12) and Jonathan Krueger (’12)
First Quarter – MV 9 – LC 7
Both teams started the game in man defense. Liberty Center began the game with a three-guard set.
MV’s offensive flow this evening featured three players who would each have their own streaky turn. Jared led off in the first quarter.
Scoring started early for the Hawks, as Jared cleaned up a missed shot seventeen seconds into the game. He blocked the ensuing Tiger try which cleared to Dave Brown. Dave drove the middle and dished to Jared for another two. Jared stole the ball on the next LC possession, but was called for his first foul at 4:47 to go.
Liberty Center found early success inside as well and maintained the score close.
Jonathan would score near the hoop and draw the foul plus 1, which he converted to give MV a 7-5 lead. MV’s next score would be on a strong Rick Deichert drive from the right wing for two and the Hawks led 9-5.
The home team switched up to the hybrid 2-3 zone at the 2:25 mark and confounded Liberty Center, which could not find open looks. A missed shot by the Tigers led to a Dixon Stoddard rebound.
Julius Turner and Nick Frasco entered the game at the 1:32 mark for Dave and Jon. LC managed a basket late in the quarter to trim the MV’s lead to two and the quarter ended with the Hawks ahead 9-7.
Second Quarter MV 13 – LC 6
Starting the quarter – Rick, Nick, Julius, Dixon and Jonathan
MV continued in its 2-3 zone and Liberty Center stuck with man defense.
Early in the quarter, MV missed a few free throw chances, and began slowly on offense. About one minute in, the Hawks started working an aggressive half court trapping game.
This sparked the offense as well and it was Julius Turner’s turn to heat up. Julius scored first on a strong drive to the hoop, Next trip down-court from the left wing, he stepped once, stepped twice then pulled up and swished a three-ball.
MV kept up the heat. On a right-side clearout, Rick drove in and found Jared for a two pointer . That was enough for the Tigers, who called a time out with the score 16-7 in favor of MV.
Julius continued his torrid pace, driving to the hoop, drawing the shooting foul and converting both ends.
MV stayed aggressive on defense, but incurred some fouls along the way. Jon Krueger and Dave Brown went to the bench with two fouls each with under two minutes to play. Phil Snow would keep the Tigers in the game with a three, but would go out himself with two fouls and 58.3 seconds left.
Rick would continue the Hawks' offensive roll with a steal near the time line which he converted on a drive to the basket.
Julius picked up his second foul with 19.2 seconds to go, and after two Tiger free throws, MV had the ball back for one last play.
The Hawks finished the half with a bang on a lob pass by Rick into Jared for a soft dunk as the horn blew. Maumee Valley took a 22-13 lead to the locker room.
Third Quarter – LC 7 - MV 6
Starting five – Initial game starters
Jared started MV out strong on defense with another block, but the Hawks could not get anything going early. LC went into a tight 2-3 zone and frustrated the Hosts' high-post offense. There was nary an open look, and outside baskets were not falling.
Meanwhile, the Tigers were slowly building a run. Over the first four minutes, the visitors scored seven unanswered points to pull with 22-20. The Liberty Center fans, who packed the visitors’ side of the Varsity Gym, came to life for the first time since the opening tip-off.
If this were a John Ford western, it would be desperation time for our heroes and time for the cavalry to ride to the rescue.
Oh, wait…
 |
| Sorry Mr. Wayne, we have Julius Turner. |
Indeed, Julius would rise up and roll out his second red-hot streak of the game just when his fellow Hawks needed it the most.
First it was another slashing drive for a basket + 1, which he converted.
Coach Robinson, sensing the moment, dialed up full court pressure, leading to more than one LC possession like this
...the Tigers would not score again in the quarter.
On the next possession, Julius got open in the right corner and was fouled on a three-point attempt. He made one and after another turnover penetrated down the middle, scoring another two. With the Tigers’ post player Phil Snow guarding either Jared or Dixon all night, the visitors had no answer for Number 31 near the basket...or away from it for that matter.
Julius scored the last six points of the quarter. He gave his teammates some much needed breathing room and took the Orange and Silver faithful back out of the game. MV had taken the Tigers’ best punch and fought back to a 28-20 third quarter lead.
Fourth Quarter MV 22 – LC 13
Starting the Quarter – Dave, Rick, Jonathan, Julius and Dixon
Liberty Center had the ball to start the quarter but could not score after a 45 second-long possession.
Following a Tiger miss, Dave streaked downcourt and into the lane. The defenders collapsed on him and he bounced a pass to Jared for two.
Liberty Center came back with a two and, sensing the urgency, began a press of their own. MV was ready and Dixon fired a home run pass to Rick who had released to the basket. He was fouled at the hoop and made both ends – two in a row (stay tuned).
MV countered with a press of its own so play ratcheted up in intensity. Liberty Center’s Phil Snow was single handedly trying to counter the Hawks from the three point arc, but could not find the basket.
Dave Brown stole the ball and on the ensuing posession, Julius dropped-stepped twice to the right then drove left to the basket for the two and a foul:
MV led 37-22 at the 3:54 mark, but the lead wasn't yet safe. Liberty Center’s pressure was effective and the visitors scored the next six points. Jared picked up his fourth foul of the evening with 2:26 left.
With Liberty Center overplaying every pass, the Hawk brain trust went to the playbook and called a back-door pass to Jared starting at the foul line. He enjoyed his easiest path to the basket all night and the Blue and White were up 39-28.
Liberty Center got the ball back and aggressive play at both ends caused emotions to get the better of the Tigers. Rick stole the ball, was fouled and LC coach Eric Prigge argued a bit too strenuously. He was called for a technical foul, and it became Rick’s turn to go on his hot streak, albeit methodically.
Rick converted all four free throws and with the ‘T’, MV also had the ball. The offense rolled over to the left side, and Rick found a clear path on an iso down the right side of the lane for a basket and foul.
Rick converted the old-fashioned three pointer, and for those keeping score at home made seven points in a row for MV as well as going 7-7 at the line in the fourth quarter. It was 46-28 MV and Liberty Center cleared the bench.
On the floor at the end of the game for the Hawks were Thad Woodard, AJ King, Omar Hazimah, Parker Bayer and Daniel Brandon. The final buzzer sounded with the score MV 50 – LC 33.
Final Game Thoughts
The team is taking on a personality as the season progresses. The underclassmen-laden roster continues to mature. Exhibit A for this statement tonight came in the form of three different players stepping up offensively at key points in the game:
• Jared set the early tone at both ends,
• Julius was unstoppable for stretches in the second and third (when it was super-important) quarters and
• Rick iced the victory for the Hawks at the line
As I have noted in previous chapters, there are others on the team who can also do the same thing on other nights. The Hawks can attack on several fronts. Sometimes it’s all defense, sometimes it’s a last minute shot, tonight it was scoring from three directions and not backing down from challenges.
I regret that I didn’t have access to assist and rebounding stats, so I can’t quantify the strong play of Dave Brown and Dixon Stoddard. Finally, it is significant that Nick Frasco has worked his way into the main rotation, providing valuable time at the guard spot.
Odds and ends for $200, Alex…
- The Tigers have very sharp away uniforms, reminiscent of the Syracuse Orangemen. When I mentioned this to some of my seat-mates they commented that MV’s Blue and White reminded them of Penn State. I sure didn’t like that as a basketball analogy…
- With the strong contingent from Liberty Center, this was probably the largest crowd of the season at the Varsity Gym…looking ahead, I would plan on getting to school very early for the February 1 game against Ottawa Hills.
- Maumee Valley scored one for the little guys tonight with a win over a Division III school. MV will not face any opponent outside D-IV for the remainder of the season.
- Coach Robinson inched ever closer to the big 500 last night; this was win number 498 in his career.
Scoring
And now for the happy totals. The Hawks were led by Julius Turner's 16 point effort, followed by Jared Sturt with 14 and Rick Deichert with 13. Also scoring for MV was Jonathan Krueger with 4 and...
...a new Scorapalooza entrant, Parker Bayer who fired this fourth quarter three-ball. As it says in the video description - great fist pump, PK.
Next up
MV is back in action Tuesday at the Thunderdome against Monclova Christian. This will be your last chance to see the best pure athlete MV will face in the regular season in Senior Kenny N’Douba.
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