Sat Nov 07 2009
By BRUCE HEFFLINGER
SWANTON -- When tournament play arrives anything can happen.
That was the case on Wednesday when Toledo Libbey stunned Defiance 41-35 in Division II sectional play.
Libbey came into the contest at just 6-12 on the season, with but one win in the past seven games. Meanwhile, DHS entered at 14-6 and winners of six of its last seven contests.
As the saying goes, everyone is 0-0 once the tournament starts. Make that 1-0 for Libbey and 0-1 for Defiance after the upset-minded Cowboys never trailed in pulling off the surprising victory.
"Different teams react differently to the tournament atmosphere and we obviously didn't react," said an unhappy Defiance coach Kirk Lehman. "I thought we'd get a good boost from the win over Celina (last Friday) but that was certainly not the case. The tournament effects people in a lot of ways ... it froze us."
Despite the now or never aspect of tourney play, the Bulldogs never seemed to have the enthusiasm and desire expected at this time of the year.
"We had no spark," Lehman said. "We turned the ball over too many times and we didn't finish when we had good looks."
Libbey led from the start, jumping to a 9-3 advantage five minutes into the game following a three-point play by Brandon Ham and kept the lead at that margin at 18-12 when halftime arrived.
"Our game plan was to be disciplined," noted Libbey coach Keith McClure. "From the start of the season we've tried to instill discipline and get the kids to play structured ball. We're starting to do that."
After blanking the Bulldogs the final 4:04 of the first half, Libbey scored the first seven points of the third quarter before Defiance broke a nine-minute dry spell when Alex Nofziger connected on a 3-pointer from the left wing. By then the Cowboys had put together 13 consecutive points, outrebounding the Bulldogs 8-0 in the span.
"You've got to rebound the first miss, you can't give them extra opportunities," Lehman pointed out about playing a team with the athleticism of Libbey. "We didn't seem to have any energy. They were quicker to the ball all night long."
Baskets by Dace Kime and Taylor Keel pulled DHS within 27-21 after three quarters and, despite failing to score in the first three minutes of the final stanza, trimmed the Libbey lead to 29-25 with 3:52 left after Alex Keel hit two straight buckets.
However, Brandon Underwood made one foul shot, Delvin Williams scored following an offensive rebound and Underwood connected on two more free throws to extend the advantage to 34-25 with 1:52 to play.
"We played solid defense and tried to take away what they do best," explained McClure.
It worked to perfection as the Bulldogs could do little inside where Alex Keel and company have been unstoppable the past three weeks.
"One thing they do a great job with is challenging shots," noted Lehman. "They have the athleticism to do that. They're a young team but they'll body you up and challenge you."
Alex Keel, who came in averaging 20 points per game over the past four contests, was limited to 11 points by the Cowboys.
"Defense was the key," McClure said. "We can score with anybody but if you don't stop them on defense you're going to lose.
"We played a tough schedule and we knew that would help us at this time of year. I thought we stepped up and played the way we can."
Underwood had 13 points to lead Libbey (7-12), which won despite leading scorer Maurice Taylor not playing.
Libbey moves on to face Toledo Central Catholic, a 46-30 winner over Bryan in game two, in Friday's 8 p.m. contest. Meanwhile, Defiance closes out the season at 14-7.
"You're always disappointed when you're knocked out of the tournament," Lehman concluded. "As well as we played Celina, we felt our confidence should be high. We have a good team, no doubt about it, but not if you don't come to play.
"You hate to see it end and the seniors to go. They went through some tough times here. They battled and fought and I have a lot of admiration for each one. It's been a pleasure to coach them, I just wish it didn't end this soon."
BOX SCORE
DEFIANCE (35) - T. Keel 2; Nofziger 10; A. Keel 11; Parsons 3; Stapleton 2; Spitnale 0; Beverly 0; Kime 4; Hammersmith 3; Burkhart 0. Totals 13-35 7-11 35.
TOLEDO LIBBEY (41) - Ham 9; Underwood 13; Williams 6; Utley 7; Birdsong 2; Lawson 2; McDonald 2. Totals 12-28 17-22 41.
Three-point goals: Defiance - Nofziger, Parsons. Rebounds: Defiance 17, Toledo Libbey 27 (Williams 8, Utley 7). Turnovers: Defiance 13, Toledo Libbey 15.
Defiance 9 3 9 14 - 35
Tol. Libbey 11 7 9 14 - 41
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