McDowell 55 North East 54

For the second night in a row I got to see two undefeated teams go at each other. North East at McDowell gave me plenty of reason to travel back to the McDowell Tournament and I was not disappointed. McDowell barely kept their undefeated record safe for now 55-54.

McDowell jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead on buckets by Ryan Skellie and Zach Spronatti but North East ran off nine in a row to take a 9-4 lead at the 3:28 mark. The nine point run included a 3 pointer by Ryan Szwejbka followed by buckets from Michael Rouse, Bryan Kirsch (on a nice assist by Aaron Meehl) and Rouse once again. McDowells Jason Keim got in gear with a drive to the hoop and the harm followed by another 2 to tie the game 9-9 at 2:26 to go in the first. North East’s Matt Triana and Rouse took control from there. Matt hit a three and Rouse made a 3 ball to end the quarter with NE up 16-10.

The second quarter was much like the first with each team going on mini runs with McDowell cutting the North East lead to four at 26-24. McDowell’s Keim, Skellie, and Bryant Kimball each netted 4 points while North East reserve #2 David Coburn scored 5 points.

At the break I went for the Nachos and Cheese with a water combo. I really do go to the games to eat!

McDowell came out in the Second half in defensive lock down mode while scoring the first six points to lead 28-26 until North East finally got on the board at the 4:27 mark with a bucket by Meehl to tie 28-28. Zach Spronattii scored 4 straight to give McDowell an uncomfortable lead at 32-28. I call it uncomfortable because it took a couple foul shots by point guard Kimball for McDowell, who had lost the lead again, to tie it back up at 34-34. McDowell regained the lead at the buzzer with a big three pointer by Dillon Loomis. McDowell 37 North East 34

The fourth quarter was like watching a tennis match as I did my best Big Bobble Head doll impersonation. At 2:02 Loomis hit another three to knot the score at 50-50. Bobble, bobble, at 1:07 Matt Triana gave North East a 52-50 lead on a beautiful baseline move and layup. At this point McDowell did something very curious by bringing the ball up the floor and going into a stall like they might be waiting to take the last shot. They got the clock down to :33 and called timeout while I was scratching my head questioning this strategy. Out of the timeout they finally got the ball to #4 Spronatti who took aim at a three with about 19 seconds left on the clock, swish for a 53-52 lead. North East point guard Triana raced down the floor and went to the hoop hard and drew a shooting foul with :09 left. As cool as the other side of the pillow Matt made both foul shots to give his team a 54-53 lead. The inbounds pass for McDowell came to point guard Kimball as he quickly headed up the floor looking for the hot hand of Zach Spronatti who got the ball with 4 seconds left. He pumped once he pumped twice and then let it fly from just inside the three point line. The ball was in the air, the clock read :00, swish! Final Score: McDowell 55 North East 54

BigSkinny Player of the Game: Zach Spronatti and his 19 points

Observations: If that last shot had not fallen to give McDowell the victory, I was all set to call Aaron Meehl my Player of the game. That kid is everywhere! He does all the nasty work like boxing out guys a foot taller and jumping the passing lanes not to mention he made two huge threes in that fourth quarter. He was also 5-5 from the free through line. No North East player or fan should hang their head low after the game they played. McDowell just had the ball last.

I continue to be impressed with the job Coach Hetz is doing with his squad. They are very disciplined and hard working. They go 8 or 9 deep and I love their energy. Spronatti is a great shooter and they get good point play from Kimball. The big guys hit the boards and have nice touch underneath. Dillon Loomis joins Spronatti as a huge threat from beyond the three line. The best thing I see in this team is their willingness to play hard on defense.

I look for both of these teams to have a good showing come playoff time. I love D10 Basketball!

There are a few Pictures here: http://www.bigskinnyonline.com/MCNE.htm