Good Evening North Baltimore
Every shot’s like an open door
Every block is a fantasy
Every fast break's a symphony
Good Evening North Baltimore
And that night when we took to the floor
The world's waking up to see
North Baltimore and MV!
- With apologies to Scott Whitman
So, would the visiting North Baltimore Tigers play like Tracy Turnblad this night – that plucky underdog who turns the world upside down and wins the day?
Well, not tonight.
And no, there was nobody in the crowd who even remotely resembled Edna in case you were wondering.
Game Summary
Maumee Valley extended their record to 15-3 tonight with a 57-38 win against Midland Athletic League foe North Baltimore at the Varsity Gym. Although the score was almost identical to Friday's 57-39 win against Cardinal Stritch, the game had a decidedly different feel. MV played loose and confident from the opening tip-off.
The Hawks dominated play from the opening, leading after 11-6 after one quarter and 25-11 at the half. Although North Baltimore's game was designed around the outside shot, the Hawks were 7-15 from beyond the arc, compared with 6-13 for the Tigers.
The night featured perfection from the line from one Dixon Stoddard who, according to exclusive Hawkblog sources simply stopped thinking and started shooting. This mind-clearing exercise worked to the tune of an 8-8 evening from the charity stripe.
First Quarter – MV 11 – NB 6
Starting five – Dave Brown (’13), Rick Deichert (’12), Jared Sturt (’12), Jonathan Krueger (’12) and Julius Turner (’12)
North Baltimore Starting five – Clinton Ebright (Sr), Parker Emahiser (Sr), Tyler Schloemp (Sr), Tyler Hillard (Sr), and Evan North (Jr)
North Baltimore rolled out a 2-3 zone against MV. The Hawks rotated between man, zone and full court pressure defense throughout the evening.
The evening started out with the now-familiar Rick Deichert lob to Jared for two to open the scoring. But North Baltimore ran a well-timed backdoor play from Evan North to Parker Emahiser hit for two.
Rick Deichert drove in along the right baseline to tie the game, and Emahiser fed Clinton Ebright for a three ball. Julius Turner then fouled North, who made the first of two free throws, then the visitors rebounded the second shot and had the ball with a 6-4 NB lead. It would be the high water mark of the evening for the Tigers.
Jared blocked a close in shot by NB post player Evan North, and in frustration he first fouled Jared at the visitors’ end, then fouled Dixon Stoddard 20 seconds later. Dixon made his first two points of the evening and North took an early seat.
After a North Baltimore traveling call, Rick fired a three pointer in from the top of the key. With the score MV 9 – NB 6, coach Josh Williams called time to reset the offense. The play call resulted in an open look Tyler Schloemp, but he missed not one, but two three point tries.
Following unsuccessful possessions for each team the Hawks went to work again, now with Nick Frasco in the game. This time Jared found success on a six foot turnaround jumper in the key – assist to a sharp passing Julius Turner. It was 11-6 Hawks. Each team would have two more possessions apiece at quarter end, but no further scoring occurred and the Hawks took a five point lead at the 25% mark.
Second Quarter – MV 14 – NB 5
Starting the Quarter – Rick, Nick, Jared, Julius, Dixon
Evan North returned to the game for the Tigers. Dixon showcased his ability to encourage aggressive play by his opponents.
North committed his third foul 14 seconds into the frame, a shoulder-down charge into Dixon’s solar plexis. Dixon's defensive style sort of reminds me of this guy:
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| Wondering why you're having an off night? |
North Baltimore switched into a 1-2-2 zone, attacking the point guard up top. MV worked a double low post game, and Dixon at the left block found a wide-open Julius on the wing for a three.
After a steal by both teams, Jon Kruger was fouled shooting and made one shot. The Tigers called another timeout, down 15-6. The inbounds play to Mitchell Archer was successful for two points.
With their main inside threat out the Tigers decided to focus their offense on the three point shot. On their next possession, Tyler Schloemp hit an NBA three pointer from the left hand bleachers.
Conversely MV duly noted the lack of a defensive stopper and started working a triangle offense down low. Rick and Jon worked the ball in to Jared for two points at 4:08.
This play sparked the Hawks onto a run. It started, as seen below, when Rick grabbed a defensive rebound and ultimately got it to Dave for the running two pointer
The Tigers missed again and Rick came right back with this three…
Three empty possessions later Rick again hit for three and the Hawks had reeled off 10 straight. It was 25-11 in favor of the Blue and White. After a North Baltimore turnover, the home team had one last chance to score but did not cash in. The Hawks were up by 14 at the half after a stellar defensive performance.
Third Quarter MV 17 – NB 12
Starting the quarter – initial game starters
North Baltimore tried to switch things up and went to a 1-3-1 zone. MV’s Julius Turner just decided to shoot over it and opened the half with a three pointer.
MV replied with its own zone, but Parker Emahiser got to the basket for two + the foul on Jon Krueger. He made the bonus to pull the Tigers back to 13. MV continued to plunder the zone, Rick hitting next with a trey.
Jared continued to make it a tough night for Evan North, blocking his shot attempt, then scoring from deep in the box. MV got the ball back on a fast break and Rick dished it to Julius for the finisher.
Tiger coach Josh Williams called time at 5:07 with his team down 35-14.
Jared blocked the next shot attempt, but after a Rick Deichert foul, Emahiser scored for the visitors. Julius then passed the ball over the Tiger zone and Jared returned the favor with this two pointer…
… then at the 3:36 mark AJ King
…hit this three pointer. Jared broke up the next NB possession with a steal and almost dunked the follow-up but was fouled – he made both ends and it was 42-16 MV.
Clinton Ebright stopped the bleeding temporarily for the Tigers with two shots from beyond the arc. MV could not convert the final possession of the quarter. It was another successful quarter for the Hawks, who were now ahead 42-23.
Fourth Quarter – MV 15 – NB 15
Starting the quarter – initial game starters
North Baltimore had the initial possession, but only for 11 seconds before Julius stole the ball and worked it to Dixon, who was fouled shooting…
…and made both tries. NB scored next on a pretty pass through the zone for a two ball by Mitchell Archer.
Julius dribbled through the zone from the left side to return fire for MV, then Ebright hit another deep three.
Following a Hawk turnover, Dixon once again wreaked havoc - first being tripped by a defender...
... and hitting two free throws, then got to the line again after this Jon Krueger rebound…
And made his seventh and eighth free throws in a row – a individual career and team season-high for the Hawk forward.
MV pressed out of the stoppage in play and forced a turnover. Jared Sturt capitalized with this two pointer...
Closing things out for the Hawks in the quarter was this Dave Brown drive to the basket – he was fouled and made both ends…
…this Daniel Brandon score from the line
… and this Nick Frasco score with 1:26 left to finish it off for the home team.
The Hawks finished the game leading by 19 – final score MV 57 – NB 38.
Final Game Thoughts
Another strong performance for the Hawks, who now have rebounded nicely following the Ottawa Hills defeat with two strong wins. Their record now stands at 15-3.
Maumee Valley took charge from the start and used its superior size to take control of the game. An active man-to-man defense and timely pressing shut down whatever chances the Tigers may have had from the outside.
MV continues to feature balanced scoring, and kudos again to Dixon for a hot night at the line.
Statistically, MV was 18-37 in total from the floor, including a 7-15 performance from three point range – Rick going 4-8. The Hawks were in double digits in steals, led by Julius with three. Jared had three blocks on the evening – he’d later dispute that with your unofficial Hawkblog statistician, claiming he had many more…
Scoring
And now for the happy totals. Rick and Jared each scored 14 for the winners, and Julius contributed 10. Dixon had eight points, Dave Brown 4 points, AJ King 3, Nick Frasco 2, plus Daniel Brandon and Jonathan Krueger with 1 each.
Next up
The Hawks have several days off until a Friday meeting with Woodward High School (game subsequently cancelled), then return home the following Saturday to face North Central from the Buckeye Border Conference. Last year's victory against the Eagles was the very definition of a Pyrrhic Victory as Senior starters Jangus Whitner and Carter Bayer were both injured during the game and thus unable to play to a fraction of their potential in the 2009-10 playoffs.
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