The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Unbeatens battle down to wire
By Don Richter, Sports Editor
PUBLISHED: January 11, 2007
Chelsea's boys' basketball team remained undefeated with its hard-fought 72-71 victory over previously unbeaten Jackson (5-1), in the final of the Bulldogs' Holiday Classic Dec. 29.
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The Bulldogs (6-0) led 22-16 after one quarter against the Vikings.
At halftime, Chelsea increased its advantage to 44-32.
Entering the fourth quarter, Jackson battled back cutting the Bulldogs' lead to one point, 50-49.
In the fourth frame, both teams netted 22 points for the night's final margin.
"We never lost the lead in the fourth quarter," said Chelsea coach Robin Raymond. "That's a credit to the kids' high concentration level. I was pleased with how we handled the pressure in a tight game against a very good team."
Senior guard Nate Schwarze (5-foot-11) led the Bulldogs with 23 points, including five three-pointers. Four of Schwarze's five triples came in the first quarter. He also had five assists and three steals.
Senior swing player Micah Hudson (6-2) added 16 points, including two three-pointers, six rebounds and eight assists for Chelsea.
"His passing the ball against Jackson's pressure was key," Raymond said. "He had a good, all around game."
Senior forward Mike Sauers (6-2) had 12 points and seven rebounds, while senior guard Adam Connell had eight points, four rebounds, four steals and four assists for the Bulldogs.
Junior center Dean Roberts (6-3, 270) finished with six points, while junior forward Stu Mann (6-2) had four points and junior guard Matt Schwarze three points for Chelsea.
Forward Darryl Stinson (6-6, 225), one of the top juniors in the state, led Jackson with 25 points. Senior guard Tercel Taylor (5-11) added 21 points.
The Bulldogs finished 27-of-47 from the field with nine three-pointers for a season-high 57 percent. The Vikings were 30-of-60 for 50 percent.
At the free throw line, Chelsea ended up 9-of-12 for 75 percent. Jackson was 7-of-17 for 41 percent.
The Vikings out-rebounded the Bulldogs 31-26, including 20-11 on the offensive glass.
Chelsea had 21 turnovers, compared to Jackson's 16. The Vikings had 12 steals, while the Bulldogs had 11.
"The two keys to our win were shooting 57 percent from the floor and the poise of our players," Raymond said. "We had an answer for every Jackson score. I was very happy."
Despite being undefeated on the young season, Raymond said his squad needed to get better.
"We can still improve," he said. "We still have a long way to go."
In the first round of the Holiday Classic, Chelsea defeated Howell 74-39.
The Bulldogs led 17-12 at the end of the first quarter.
At halftime, Chelsea increased its lead to 31-17.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs held a commanding 65-28 advantage. The 34-point third quarter explosion was one of Chelsea's best offensive stretches of the season.
"We talked at the half and we thought we could put more pressure on them and force turnovers," Raymond said. "We certainly did that."
In the third quarter, the Bulldogs were 15-of-21 from the floor.
"We had some easy lay-ups off the fast break," Raymond said. "The tempo of the game picked up and that's to our liking."
Connell led Chelsea with a career-high 25 points, including eight steals and four assists.
Hudson added 13 points, nine rebounds and five steals, while Sauers had nine points and six rebounds and Nate Schwarze seven points and a career-high 10 assists and Matt Schwarze seven points for the Bulldogs.
Mann had six points, while Roberts had five points and junior forward Greg Rebuldela (6-3) two points for Chelsea.
The Bulldogs finished 33-of-64 for 52 percent from the field. Howell was 15-of-38 for 39 percent.
At the line, Chelsea was 5-of-8 for 63 percent, while the Highlanders were 8-of-14 for 57 percent.
The Bulldogs out-rebounded Howell 35-22, including 12-6 on the offensive boards.
Chelsea forced 28 turnovers and had 17 steals.
The Bulldogs next host Temperance Bedford Friday at 7 p.m.
On Jan. 19, Chelsea travels to Adrian for a game at 7 p.m.
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