Northwest 64 Canton South 46

[Yappi]

by starkravingdad

If it was a movie, it couldn't have been scripted any better. A packed house, the star player scores his 1000th career point, a victory for the home team - and then everyone waits around as news passes through the gym that you could still win the title. And sure enough - cue the music- a last-place team upsets the frontrunner and the Northwest Indians grabbed a share of the hard-earned NBC title.

Northwest defeated Canton South 60-46. Coupled with Carrollton's upset of Alliance, NW ended up tied for the conference title with Alliance and Marlington.

Senior Jim Shiplett scored a career-high 21 points and added 10 rebounds against the athletic Wildcats. Tyler Krzynowek, who many believe to be Stark County's top guard, scored his 1000th career point just before the first half. The game was stopped briefly and the historic moment was celebrated.

The name of the game was defense for Northwest. The zone defense with many man-to-man tendencies and traps kept South rattled all night. After a tight first quarter, after which NW led 18-14, the D tightened, resulting in numerous NW turnovers. NW had a 9-0 run with points by Krzynowek, Nate Millard and Evan Hudson. South used a string of free throws near the end of the 2nd to pull within 31-25 at the half.

Both teams clamped down in the 3rd, and play was sloppy at times. But the clock became South's opponent entering the 4th down by 10.

NW is very skilled at closing out a game in the 4th when having the lead, and tonight was no exception. South, down by double digits, behaved curiously on offense, often passing the ball for 30 seconds or more and then jacking up a long 3, which usually missed. NW stretched its lead to 14 by game's end.

It was truly a team effort. Led by Shiplett's 21, NW got 9 points from Tim May, 7 from Krzynowek, 7 from Tim Caillet and six by Evan Hudson. Millard and Mark Gauer chipped in 4 points.

Marcus Lenzy had 19 to lead Canton South, whhile Ryan Thompson added 14 for the 'Cats, who dropped to 9-9 on the season and 6-7 in the always tough NBC.