'Muth still rolling

The Eagles beat rival with team effort

By Josh Glitz

11 January 2008

greatlakeshoops.com

Birch Run-- Up to this point the Frankenmuth basketball season had been about one player, Mr. Basketball candidate Brad Redford. Birch Run was reminded that the rest of the Eagles are pretty important as well. While the Panthers were able to hold Redford in check for most of the game the rest of the Eagles stepped up. Tonight, the supporting cast lead the Eagles to a 81-59 victory over the previously undefeated Birch Run Panthers.

The game started with a quick 11-3 run by the Eagles. This typically signifies a fast start for Redford, but tonight that was not the case. Redford was held to 2 points in the opening stretch, on a single shot. Seniors Jeremy Warnemuende and Ryan Keith did the majority of the scoring in what looked like the beginnings of an ugly game.

The tide turned midway through the first quarter as Birch Run closed on a 13-3 run of their own. Unfortunately this was the only time of the game where the Panthers were able to outplay the Eagles. The quarter ended with the Panthers up 16-14.

After being held to two points in the first quarter, Redford came out firing in the second. His 14 second quarter points led the way as the Eagles began to pull away. The half ended with Frankenmuth reclaiming the lead, 40-23.

Redford's big quarter prompted Birch Run to put Jordan Duby on the Mr. Basketball candidate. While Duby put the clamps on Redford, the remainder of the Eagles took the offensive load on their shoulders. Hot three-point shooting from all over and the gritty play by Ryan Keith inside allowed the Eagles to close out another victory over the rival Panthers.

Game and Player Notes

-          Tonight was a battle of the supporting casts. Both teams came out focused on stopping the opposing star and for the most part achieved that goal. With the two stars neutralized, it was the supporting casts that decided the outcome of the game and the Eagles' is just better.

-          Dakotah Ellis disappeared in the second half. Ellis, a 6’5’’ junior has all the ability to be a great player. He's a good outside shooter, ball handler, and knows how to use his body in the post, but didn't show up offensively in the second half. Dakotah finished with 14 points after having 7 in the first quarter, and 3 of those came on FT’s down the stretch when the game was out of reach. With Jordan Duby bottled up, the Panthers needed Ellis to step up. He did a solid job on the glass, but his team needed a larger offensive output tonight, especially given his size advantage. Ellis had 14 points and 8 rebounds.

-          Brandon Belill did a great job on Brad Redford for the first quarter, holding him to two points. Belill simply refused to let Redford touch the ball, ever. Brad would bring the ball up the court, pass it once, and never get the chance to touch it again. Great job for the first quarter tonight Brandon.

-          Jordan Duby played a good, but not great, game tonight. Frankenmuth made a concentrated effort at limiting Duby. He was double teamed almost every time he touched the ball past half court. Defensively he did a great job on Redford the entire second half. In fact it was the best job I have seen anyone do yet this year, and I have seen quite a few try. There is no doubt that Saginaw Valley State is getting a steal in Duby. Good game and keep your head up Jordan. He finished with 16 points and 7 assists.

-          Ryan Keith played a great game for the Eagles. He was on the floor after every loose ball and constantly pounding the boards. When he wasn’t doing that he was setting picks and flashing to the high post to present himself for the pass. He also did a good job of finishing around the rim. If he continues to improve and emerge as a third threat, the Eagles could go far in Class B this year. Keith finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds.

-          Nick Shelton is another player who had a coming out party. We have always known that Shelton was a good shooter, but tonight he was simply lights out hitting 6 from deep. Not only is he a good shooter, but he is a smart point guard who does not make many mistakes. His emergence as a solid second option is going to make Frankenmuth scary for opponents. Shelton had 20 points and 3 assists.

-          While the supporting cast came up big, this was still Brad Redford’s team. Tonight however they did not need his scoring. He was quick to realize that Birch Run was going to focus on stopping him and was able to find the open teammates for easy baskets. While he did not have as high of a point total as he did against Buena Vista on Tuesday, he had a much better game tonight. He finished with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists.

-          Frankenmuth has now found its identity as a team. They are no longer Brad Redford and the others, they have become the Frankenmuth Eagles. They may not be as talented as they have been in past years, but this is the best Frankenmuth team that I have seen. Everyone knows their role and is happy to do it. This is a team that is going to go far, because it can shoot, scrap and works well off of its star. Don’t write them off come tournament time as a one-horse team.