I would tell you I told you so, but you probably wouldn’t believe me.  I just had that gut feeling that Powers was going to knock off the defending State Champs!  Class B is wide open with C.D. and Frankenmuth both falling- now the door is wide open for Powers to hoist that trophy.

Powers set the tone early with their motion offense.  The lane was wide open but Powers’ guards preferred to pull it out till they found the open jump shot.  Nothing wrong with jump shots when you can put five players on the floor that can flat out stroke it!   

While Powers was hitting jump shots, the Yellowjackets couldn’t get anything to fall leading to Powers controlling an 11-5 lead after the first.

In the second quarter Country Day decided to flex their muscle as they went on a 9-0 run.  Five straight points from Dale Brundidge gave Country Day a 14-11 lead.  DeMarco Sanders responded with a 3-pointer from the corner to tie the score.  Dee Brown and Patrick Lucas-Perry ended the first half scoring for both teams, sending the teams into the locker room tied at 16-16.

The third quarter belonged to Country Day’s Dee Brown as the senior collected two steals and put up baskets with long jump shots and also by getting to the basket.  Powers fired back with 3-pointers from Shane Moreland and Patrick O’Brien giving the Chargers a 31-28 lead heading into the fourth.

A pair of free throws from Brown tied the score at 34-34.  Ty Moreland’s steal and basket put Powers up for good with 4:10 to play.  Another sequence of baskets from Shane Moreland and O’Brien pushed the lead to five.  Powers finished off the defending champs at the free throw line for the 48-35 win.        

 

BREAKDOWN

Game Ball- Pat O’Brien #51 Powers’ 6-3 center did a heck of a job against Country Day’s size.  He forced the C.D. bigs to come out a guard him (opening up the paint for the Powers guards.)  When they didn’t come out, O’Brien made them pay with a 3-pointer.  He finished with 16 points and 6 boards.    

Shane Moreland, #2 Powers- Shane has stepped his game to another level this post-season.  His steal and acrobatic reverse lay-up was amazing as he blew the roof off of the gym.  Sugar finished with 16 points and YES, He is D-1 material! 

Patrick Lucas-Perry, #20 Powers- A freshman isn’t suppose to play so poised in such a big game but you can’t tell Patrick that.  He handled the bigger and stronger Country Day guards with ease.  He hit open 3’s and found the open teammate. 

Dee Brown, #22 C.D.- Brown took over the game in the second half to keep Country Day a float but it just wasn’t enough.  Brown has had a terrific career even though he has flown under the radar.  He’s been the best player on such a stacked team for the past two years. 

DaShonte Riley, #33 C.D.- the 6-11 center finished with two points.  Now I know he has the potential to be a pro one day but he has a long way to go.  He towered over Powers and couldn’t even get a shot off.