December 13, 2013 - Varsity Gym
One of the greatest calls in broadcast sports belongs to Kentucky Derby broadcaster Dave Johnson. As the annual Run for the Roses reaches its thrilling climax Johnson's 'and down the stretch they come' call blends excitement, uncertainty, high stakes and anticipation all into one.
Here's a little flavor:
Maumee Valley would probably have been listed as a 4-1 pre-race favorite over the Danbury Lakers. But coach Drew Davie has a much stronger club than in the past few years. The Lakers are a young team with only two seniors, but seven returning lettermen. With increased experience and better athleticism, the visitors from Marblehead have moved away from their traditional 2-3 zone setup to a man-to-man defensive scheme. Their offense also features more ball movement which seeks to screen for open shots near the key in the 8-15 foot range. They practice patience and don't give up.
In Friday's action, MV got the Lakers down early, and it looked like it might turn into a walkover after one quarter. But Danbury fought back in the third quarter and tied the game at 40-all with 3:56 left in the fourth quarter.
Then down the stretch came the Hawks with a sprint to the finish line led by speedster Danny Hazimah. Danny contributed key steals and points off in-bounds plays in the late action to give Maumee Valley its fourth straight win.
The Hawks are now 4-1 overall and 3-0 in TAAC play.
MV Starters - Marcus Knabbs '14, Lucas Isaza '15, Nick Towns '15, Rashad Woodley '14, Thad Woodard '14
First Quarter - MV 20 - Danbury 11
Danbury took the initiative and a 6-5 early lead on baskets by Hunter Stinchcomb, Kegan Rakosky and Caleb Gerber. MV got through some opening sluggishness to thke the lead with defensive pressure like this set, which forced a Laker turnover
then another forced turnover led to this Thad Woodard hoop.
Solomon Collins scored next on a beautiful pass Danny Hazimah to make it 14-6 and coach Davie called time out to settle things down.
After a Danbury basket, the Danbury defense couldn't handle the Truth (Foreman) on this Eurostep sliding drive for two
Truth followed this up with another basket, and Solomon ended the quarter scoring to make it 20-11. The Hawk guards were coming in waves against the visitors on defense, backed up by Rashad Woodley and Nick Towns down low.
Second Quarter - MV 11 - Danbury 9
Thad led off with a steal and basket, answered by a Danbury 6-0 run. Nick Towns regained Hawk momentum with a score, then Rashad Woodley made one of the plays of the game with a behind the back dribble-drive for two. Fortunately Channel 11 was there and caught this play in their highlight package.
The Lakers continued to hang in. Rakosky scored an old-school three pointer to keep it at a six point deficit. MV struck back with defense, first with a tough tie-up by Keith McClure then this Danny Hazimah steal and basket.
Solomon Collins closed out the first half scoring a muscular clean-up basket after a vintage clock-eating final minute set.
The Blue and White enjoyed a 31-20 half time lead.
Third Quarter - Danbury 16 - MV 7
Lucas Isaza opened things up with a driving reverse layup, but the visitors began a huge comeback. Six different Danbury players scored in a furious 18-5 run over the remainder of the quarter. The Hawks could not find the rim from the floor or the line during this stretch, and also committed eight fouls of their own vs. Danbury's three. This put the guests in the bonus early on, aiding and abetting the Lakers' efforts.
By quarter's end, the Hawks looked up at the scoreboard and found themselves up by only one basket, 38-36
Fourth Quarter - MV 18 - Danbury 9
The frame started off sloppily as both sided committed a pair of turnovers. But the hero of the evening would begin to emerge. Danny Hazimah scored first to extend the Hawks lead to four. More frenzied play ensued, and the Lakers' Caleb Gerber and John Rhodes scored the next four points from the charity stripe. The game was tied at 40 and Danbury was in the double bonus with 3:56 to play.
That however would be the apex for the Lakers on this evening. Thad Woodard was fouled shooting and made the pair. Danny Hazimah stole the ball and Marcus Knabbs, playing in foul trouble all evening, was intentionally fouled himself. He made one of two and the Hawks did not convert on the resultant in-bounds play.
Danny Hazimah again stole a Danbury pass and got to the basket for two on this play.
With both teams now sensing the balance of the game in hand, the pace quickened with pressing, traded free throws and more end-to-end action. Danny continued to stretch the lead for MV with this two pointer:
Then after a strong defensive stop by the Hawks, Marcus scored on a free throw and Solomon made an experienced-player steal. He watched a Danbury break unfold coming downcourt and stepped aside, baiting the visitors to make a pass inside for what they thought would be an easy layup. But Collins cut in front of the pass and took it back for a score.
Danny got free at the 1:59 mark on this half court play.
And then, with 1:01 remaining, Danny scored again on this long in-bounds play.
The Hawks led 52-41 following a 12-1 run with just over a minute to go. The teams traded a few late game baskets but the outcome had been decided.
So the Hawks have now won four straight and three in conference. Saturday's game against Arcadia was snowed out, and so MV will have the weekend to prepare for a Tuesday game in New Riegel, one of the storied D-IV basketball programs.
Scoring:
Truth Foreman - 4
Danny Hazimah - 10
Marcus Knabbs - 3
Keith McClure - 3
Lucas Isaza - 5
Nick Towns - 2
Thad Woodard - 15
Solomon Collins - 6
Rashad Woodley 6
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