By Bruce Rolfe
After falling behind by double digits in the first half, the Climax-Scotts boys varsity basketball team once again worked themselves back into the game but were unable to slow down a very athletic Kalamazoo Phoenix team in the pivotal fourth quarter in an 80-68 regional semifinal loss March 5 at Fowler High School.
C-S completes the season with a 8-18 record while Phoenix fell to Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian 73-37 in the regional championship game March 7 for an 8-15 finish.
Phoenix enjoyed many drives threw the lane for inside attempts, but also was a consistent threat outside, dropping in seven triples.
“They spread us out and took us off the dribble. We had to figure out where our gaps were and some rotations weren’t exactly on point. Athletically, one of the very most athletic teams that we’ve seen. Springport was very athletic. They did the things they wanted to. Put pressure on you, attack the rims. They were a very athletic team,” points out C-S coach Kenny Sattler.
A basket down low by Miles Shannon just 10 seconds into the game followed by a basket by Billy Felton moments later got C-S off to a good start, but the Fury responded with a three-point basket and another basket off a C-S turnover to take a 5-4 lead.
Luke Lawrence converted a Fury turnover into two points for a 6-5 Panther lead with 5:19 left in the first quarter, but that wound up being C-S’ last lead of the game.
Phoenix, behind a three-quarter court trap that gave C-S problems most of the opening quarter, forced five Panther turnovers over the final five minutes and closed the quarter on a 16-7 run that gave the Fury a 22-12 lead after one quarter.
For every run Phoenix enjoyed, C-S responded with a mini run to remain in the hunt in the second quarter.
A three-point basket by D.Z. Reynolds with 6:44 left in the second quarter gave Phoenix a 25-12 lead, however C-S reduced the deficit to 25-20 at the 4:45 mark on two baskets by Gage Champion, a pair of free throws by Chase VanMiddlesworth and a basket by Ivan Ibad-Reyes.
C-S pulled to within four points (27-23) on a basket by Champion with 3:34 left in the first half, but the Fury closed the quarter on a 9-2 run for a 36-25 advantage at halftime.
C-S refused to quit, whittling the deficit to six points (52-46) when Shannon scored down low, was fouled and completed the three-point play with a free throw. He scored again with 44 seconds left inside the paint.
Phoenix’ Da’Mierriay Bennett seized some of the momentum back for Phoenix with a basket with two seconds left, sending the Fury into the fourth quarter with a 54-46 lead.
A Shannon basket just 36 seconds into the fourth quarter reduced the Panther deficit to six points (54-48), but that wound up being the closest the Panthers could get.
A basket and free throw by Shannon following a foul pulled C-S to within 60-51 with 5:48 left in the game. But between the Fury press that created four turnovers and a missed C-S shot, Phoenix enjoyed multiple fast break opportunities that turned into easy baskets in transition or were fouled that led to five points at the free throw line over the next 2:23.
The 11-2 spurt gave Phoenix a 71-53 lead with 3:25 left in the game.
Between a pair of three-point baskets, a two-point basket and fouls to get the ball back, the relentless Panthers were able to reduce the deficit to eight points (75-67) on Billy Felton’s triple with 34 seconds left. But the Fury lead was too much and Phoenix closed strong by making 5-of-6 free throws.
Shannon scored 20 points to go with 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots to pace C-S, VanMiddlesworth added 16 points and Ivan Abad-Reyes chipped in with 14 points and seven assists.
D.Z. Reynolds, who dropped in six three-point baskets, led Phoenix with 24 points.
“Our effort was great. Just executing it, was what we struggled with. We talked about some of their pressure and they did a nice job of getting some turnovers on us and converting those turnovers. The point guard had, I don’t know how many threes, six threes I think. So we had to find him and they did a really nice job. Phoenix did a really nice job of making some plays, but like you said, our kids fought. We had intensity. We continued to battle to the end, and it was just a blessing and an honor to coach these kids,” said Sattler.
After falling behind by double digits in the first half, the Climax-Scotts boys varsity basketball team once again worked themselves back into the game but were unable to slow down a very athletic Kalamazoo Phoenix team in the pivotal fourth quarter in an 80-68 regional semifinal loss March 5 at Fowler High School.
C-S completes the season with a 8-18 record while Phoenix fell to Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian 73-37 in the regional championship game March 7 for an 8-15 finish.
Phoenix enjoyed many drives threw the lane for inside attempts, but also was a consistent threat outside, dropping in seven triples.
“They spread us out and took us off the dribble. We had to figure out where our gaps were and some rotations weren’t exactly on point. Athletically, one of the very most athletic teams that we’ve seen. Springport was very athletic. They did the things they wanted to. Put pressure on you, attack the rims. They were a very athletic team,” points out C-S coach Kenny Sattler.
A basket down low by Miles Shannon just 10 seconds into the game followed by a basket by Billy Felton moments later got C-S off to a good start, but the Fury responded with a three-point basket and another basket off a C-S turnover to take a 5-4 lead.
Luke Lawrence converted a Fury turnover into two points for a 6-5 Panther lead with 5:19 left in the first quarter, but that wound up being C-S’ last lead of the game.
Phoenix, behind a three-quarter court trap that gave C-S problems most of the opening quarter, forced five Panther turnovers over the final five minutes and closed the quarter on a 16-7 run that gave the Fury a 22-12 lead after one quarter.
For every run Phoenix enjoyed, C-S responded with a mini run to remain in the hunt in the second quarter.
A three-point basket by D.Z. Reynolds with 6:44 left in the second quarter gave Phoenix a 25-12 lead, however C-S reduced the deficit to 25-20 at the 4:45 mark on two baskets by Gage Champion, a pair of free throws by Chase VanMiddlesworth and a basket by Ivan Ibad-Reyes.
C-S pulled to within four points (27-23) on a basket by Champion with 3:34 left in the first half, but the Fury closed the quarter on a 9-2 run for a 36-25 advantage at halftime.
C-S refused to quit, whittling the deficit to six points (52-46) when Shannon scored down low, was fouled and completed the three-point play with a free throw. He scored again with 44 seconds left inside the paint.
Phoenix’ Da’Mierriay Bennett seized some of the momentum back for Phoenix with a basket with two seconds left, sending the Fury into the fourth quarter with a 54-46 lead.
A Shannon basket just 36 seconds into the fourth quarter reduced the Panther deficit to six points (54-48), but that wound up being the closest the Panthers could get.
A basket and free throw by Shannon following a foul pulled C-S to within 60-51 with 5:48 left in the game. But between the Fury press that created four turnovers and a missed C-S shot, Phoenix enjoyed multiple fast break opportunities that turned into easy baskets in transition or were fouled that led to five points at the free throw line over the next 2:23.
The 11-2 spurt gave Phoenix a 71-53 lead with 3:25 left in the game.
Between a pair of three-point baskets, a two-point basket and fouls to get the ball back, the relentless Panthers were able to reduce the deficit to eight points (75-67) on Billy Felton’s triple with 34 seconds left. But the Fury lead was too much and Phoenix closed strong by making 5-of-6 free throws.
Shannon scored 20 points to go with 10 rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots to pace C-S, VanMiddlesworth added 16 points and Ivan Abad-Reyes chipped in with 14 points and seven assists.
D.Z. Reynolds, who dropped in six three-point baskets, led Phoenix with 24 points.
“Our effort was great. Just executing it, was what we struggled with. We talked about some of their pressure and they did a nice job of getting some turnovers on us and converting those turnovers. The point guard had, I don’t know how many threes, six threes I think. So we had to find him and they did a really nice job. Phoenix did a really nice job of making some plays, but like you said, our kids fought. We had intensity. We continued to battle to the end, and it was just a blessing and an honor to coach these kids,” said Sattler.
