Goodrich’s varsity basketball team hung tough with neighboring Brandon for a while in their Dec. 6 contest at Brandon.
However, the Blackhawks went on a big run in the second and third periods on their way to a 70-41 victory in the season opener for both teams.
The Blackhawks held a four-point lead after the first quarter, 14-10, thanks to seven points from senior Donald Carter.
Goodrich came back and took the lead in the second period, as senior Frankie Rogers scored seven of his team-leading 12 points in the period, while sophomore Jake McGinnis scored all five of his points in the second.
‘We got off to a pretty good start in the first quarter, and then Goodrich called time-out and went to a zone,? Brandon coach Tim Donnan said. ‘We kind of struggled against it at the start, and got into foul trouble. We had four guys that didn’t play much in the second quarter. We were able to bring them back with about one minute left in the half.?
However, Goodrich coach Gary Barns said the Martians got a little lackadaisical toward the end of the second, which allowed the Blackhawks to creep within four points, 24-20, at halftime.
‘With about 1-1/2 minutes left in the first half, we didn’t take care of the ball,? he said. ‘They went on a 20-0 in the second and third quarters and we couldn’t stop the bleeding. They came out a little more aggressive. They made shots and we didn’t. They’re a very talented team.?
Barns also said the Blackhawks? height advantage made a difference in the contest. ‘They’re about three to four inches taller per man than we are,? he said.
Junior Adrain Harges scored seven points in the third quarter and senior Adam Howard scored six points on two three-point shots as the Blackhawks outscored the Martians 20-2 in the third quarter.
‘In the second half, we made a couple of adjustments,? Donnan said. ‘Our guys were pretty motivated ? we weren’t panicking. We forced the tempo to be more where we wanted. It forced them to go man to man against us.?
In the fourth quarter, the Blackhawks, led by senior Gary Glasby, continued the onslaught and put away the Martians. Glasby hit three of his six three-point shots in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of the Blackhawks? 30 points in the fourth quarter.
Donnan said Glasby’s excellent shooting was no accident.
‘The guy works constantly ? he spends time in and out of practice constantly working on his shooting,? he said. ‘During a Saturday practice, he was the first there and the last to leave. That’s the kind of guy we have on our team. Hard work pays off and there’s no substitute for hard work.?
As a team, Brandon connected on nine three-point shots in the game. Glasby led the Blackhawks with 20 points scored, while Carter added 13, Harges 11 and Howard 10.
In addition to his 12 points, Rogers led the Martians with four assists. Jake Smigiel added nine points and a team-leading nine rebounds.
Barns said the Martians will use this game as a learning experience.
‘We know they’ll be in contention for the Flint Metro League title,? he said. ‘We need to rebound better. In the first half, I was pleased with our effort. We didn’t panic when they went ahead. We’re a young team ? we’re going to keep at it. When you lose, you can’t wait to get out there and show what you’ve learned.?