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| 1/25/2010 12:05:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article |
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JAMIE HARMS for Leader
Stony Point’s Theodore Ringer passes McNeil's Robert Waters for a layup. |
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Mavs move into first with win over Tigers
By MARK SWANSON
SSpecial to the Leader
By its coach's own admission, the McNeil boys basketball team played only one half of quality ball Friday versus Stony Point. Fortunately for the Mavericks, that was just enough to move them into first place in District 16-5A.
McNeil rode a second half surge to slip by the Tigers, 52-46, and grab a share of the top spot in the area's most balanced district.
"We didn't have any energy in the first half, we were just listless," coach Darrell Hagemann said. "But, they didn't really either. I was happy with how we responded in the second half. We're in a good spot in the district and we're starting to see a little separation."
After trailing 25-21 at halftime and 29-22 early in the third quarter, McNeil (13-12, 5-2) responded by scoring seven straight points in 37 seconds. Robert Waters' jumper tied the game at 29 with 6:30 left in the quarter and set up what would be a back-and-forth battle for the rest of the game. Blair Williams finally gave his team the lead later in the quarter with a layup to make it 35-33.
The Mavericks took a 40-38 lead into the final quarter and utterly frustrated the Tigers (13-14, 3-4) offense. A slowdown offense limited Stony Point's possessions and even when the Tigers got the ball, they had few quality shots. Before Stony Point had a chance to gather itself, it was facing a two-possession deficit with less than two minutes remaining. That was all McNeil would need. The Mavericks would hit six straight free throws in the final 30 seconds to clinch the win.
Halfway through district play, the Mavericks can safely say they are in the top tier of the district and have the advantage of having four home games in the second half. Stony Point is certainly in the mix to grab a playoff spot, though. The Tigers are in a group with Georgetown and Vista Ridge in the middle tier of the district and will have plenty of chances to elevate themselves.
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