Northwest 66 Marlington 49

[Yappi]

by starkravingdad

As the winds began to increase outside of the Canal Fulton gym, it was nothing compared to the hurricane that blew away the Marlington Dukes' championship dreams. The Northwest Indians put on an absolute clinic in the first half of Tuesday night's battle of first place teams in the NBC, then hung on for a 66-49 win.

You know things are going right when in a timeout huddle, all your coaches look at each other and no one has anything to say other than "Wow" and "Keep doing what you're doing.

The Indians shot 67% in the first half, including 13 baskets in the paint on 12 assists. In addition, on defense they contested every shot, got every loose ball and outrebounded the Dukes on way to a stunning 44-18 lead at the half.

Senior shooter Paul Hensley got things rolling with two three pointers, and junior Evan Hudson came off the bench to go 4 for 4 from the field as the Indians raced to 20-10 lead at the first quarter break.

If this had been a prize fight, the ref would have stopped it in the second quarter. Junior Nate Millard opened the period with a steal and lay-in, and converted the "and one" for a 23-10 lead. It would be the first of 10 lay ups for the Indians in the quarter. Senior star Tyler Krzynowek, double and triple teamed most of the night, used his excellent passing ability and time and again found the open teammate for an easy score. Using "the extra pass", Indians players passed up ten-foot shots to an open teammate for a lay-in. Junior post Tim Caillet scored 8 in the quarter, and Krzynowek drove through 4 Dukes for a lay in at the buzzer and a 44-18 halftime lead.

The Dukes continued to play hard in the third, and actually won the second half 30-22, but it was too little too late. NW controlled the tempo, and the Dukes were forced to foul most of the 4th quarter to try to catch up. The Indians controlled the boards throughout, piling up a 41-29 advantage for the game.

The bad news for future Dukes' opponents - they found another 3-point threat. Matt Fortner hit six of his seven 3s in the second half for a game-high 25 points. If he stays hot, the Dukes now have 3 legitimate long range shooters.

Hudson led the balanced Indians with 13 points. Caillet added 10, sophomore Tim May and Krzynowek had nine apiece. Senior Mark Gauer added 7 points and 7 rebounds. The Indians now have sole possession of first place with a half-game lead over Alliance.