“Powers and Northwestern advance”

Powers/ Birch Run

Flint Powers used an 11-2 lead to help bounce host Birch Run, 78-60, from the “Class B” district.  Sophomore Demarco Sanders sank a 3-pointer as the first quarter buzzer sounded to give the Chargers a 23-8 lead.  Davenport commit, Ty Moreland led the way with 8 first quarter points. 

Birch Run made their presence felt in the second quarter when both Shane Moreland and Patrick Lucas-Perry were forced to sit with foul trouble.  Dakota Ellis’ hook shot cut the deficit to 31-23 with 1:40 left till the half. 

The game was decided with 34 seconds left in the half when Powers went on a 9-0 run to close out the second quarter.  First, T. Moreland hit a 3-pointer, then lil’ bro Shane hit a lay up while being fouled.  With six seconds left Powers forced another steal and Kevin Pickens got another lay up and foul to go, to complete a third three point play for a 40-23 halftime lead.

The final 30 seconds of the second quarter seemed to just take the life out of Birch Run.  The Panthers never threatened in the second half as the lead got to as many as 24 points.  A big reason the Panthers never got close in the second half was because “The Moreland Brothers” put on a show.  The two guards got out and ran and rewarded any teammate that ran with them.  On one sequence Shane dribbled through his legs to loose one defender, then went around his back to elude another, he then threw a no-look behind the back pass to his bother for a lay-up.   

 

BREAKDOWN

Powers- Powers came out and went right at Birch Run; they never let Birch Run feel like they had a chance.  The Chargers’ guard rotation is as good as anyone’s in the state but the problem might be down low; and against Goodrich it might cause some real problems.  Goodrich will have a big advantage Wednesday night so the Powers guards will have to keep up the high level of play.  

Game Ball- Shane Moreland #2 the junior combo guard had a superb third quarter.  He led the way with 23 points and 6 steals.  He scored from deep, in traffic, and even hit some soft jump shots from the elbow.

Jordan Duby, #44 B.R.- Duby was held to 2 first half points but finished with 18, he never really got into any kind of groove.  Regardless, it has been a wonderful career at Birch Run for Jordan.  It will be a long time before Birch Run gets another player of Duby’s skill level.   

Ty Moreland, #1 Powers- With so many scores on the Chargers’ roster you have to give all the credit to Ty.  He could easily average 30 points a game but he prefers to run the offense and make sure everyone stays involved.  I wonder if Davenport really knows how good of a player they are getting.

Patrick Lucas-Perry, #20 Powers- did a solid job defensively by slowing down the much taller Duby.  He did get in some early foul trouble, but the calls were kind of suspect.     

 

Flint Northwestern/ Mt. Morris

First off let me give a shot out to Mt. Morris for having the old school “Hoosier style” throw back warm-ups.  But whatever pre-game speech Coach Bush gave his Wildcats, he should use it for every game because his team came out and instantly buried Mt. Morris. 

Northwestern pressed and forced plenty of turnovers that their guards cashed in on.  The Wildcats used a three guard rotation of DeAndre Upchurch, Chatavius Turner, and Walter Trouser, the trio suffocated and slammed shut every Mt. Morris passing lane on their way 27-13 first quarter lead.

In the second quarter the Wildcats pushed even harder on their pedal and Upchurch played like a high major prospect.  An Upchurch 3-pointer doubled up the score at 30-15 and the Wildcats went into the locker room with a 53-28 lead.

In the second half Coach Bush went to his bench and gave his starters rest.  The young bench didn’t let up as the final score read 85-53.       

 

BREAKDOWN

Northwestern- the Wildcats have the easiest road for a very tough district.  They should cruise on Wednesday; but the final on Friday will be a battle as Northwestern will get the winner of Goodrich and Powers. 

Game Ball- Dre Upchurch #12 Church is a true scoring machine- he had 18 in the first half and finished with 26, while barely playing in the second half.

Chatavius Turner, #20 FNW- you know how good Upchurch and Trouser are, but Turner has been playing solid as of late.  He gives the Wildcats three good guards.  He finished with 15 points but he also had 5 steals in the first half alone.