Storybook ending for LCC, Repovz: Cougars wins 'B' title

Lansing Catholic big man simply unstoppable against Flint Powers

By Andrew Bolton

15 March 2008

greatlakeshoop.com

East Lansing--To say it wasn’t Max Gover’s night would be an understatement. Lansing Catholic’s senior star was in foul trouble the first half, and when he was on the floor, he was a turnover machine. He had scored two points all game long while being harassed by Powers’ sophomore Pat O’Brien. Most of his shots weren’t even close to going in; a couple were airballs.

Then, suddenly, it was his night.

In a thriller, Lansing Catholic capitalized on Powers’ inability to hit free throws when the kid they call Mad Max hit a fall-away jumper off the dribble over O’Brien to give LCC the lead with under 10 seconds to play. Powers had one last chance, and after a timeout got a wide-open look for O’Brien, but the shot kicked off the back of the rim, and Mike Repovz grabbed the rebound to seal the 54-53 victory for the Cougars.

These teams looked pretty evenly matched on paper going in, and all were figuring this one to be close. They were not disappointed. Right from the beginning these teams were trading baskets. Shane Moreland was hot for Powers right away, scoring 11 points in the first quarter to stake Powers to an 18-14 lead going into the second period. In the second period, Austin Nichols caught fire for LCC. He scored seven points in the quarter to complement Mike Repovz’s six points. That duo catapulted LCC into the lead going into halftime, 32-29.

The second half was very intense. Neither team could shake the other. LCC maintained its three-point lead until Powers went on a 7-0 run to close the period. That put them in the lead by four going into the fourth.

Though they threatened to push the lead higher, the Chargers could never string together stops and baskets, and that let LCC stay in the game. The Cougars would come back to take the lead thanks to Michael Murray.

Powers, on its next possession, would tie the game on a jumper by Shane Moreland. After trading baskets, Shane Moreland stole a pass and passed it on ahead to his brother Tyler for two. On the ensuing inbound pass, Tyler Moreland swiped the ball and got it to Shane for another layup. This put the Chargers up four points with 2:20 to play.

LCC went back to Mike Repovz, who had been so consistent all night, and Mike didn’t let them down. Then, after a Shane Moreland miss, Austin Nichols made a huge layup in heavy traffic to tie the game. On the next trip, Pat O’Brien got fouled, but he only made one of two free throws. Even so, that gave Powers a one-point lead.

After an LCC turnover, Shane Moreland was fouled. He stepped to the stripe with a chance to ice the game for Powers. He missed both free throws. That set the stage for Gover’s incredible shot. Pat O’Brien’s wide open look was just long, and LCC would walk away from this incredible battle the winner.

Game and Player Notes

Stat of the Game: Powers FT’s in the last 1:20–out of a potential six, they made one

–Often, basketball games come down to the littlest of things, and then those little things become huge. Powers went 1-6 from the line down the stretch. Free throws seem so innocent but often they decide the game.

–Overall, this game was the best of the weekend; even better than the Powers/FH Northern game last night. There was a total of 18 turnovers in the game: seven committed by Powers and 11 committed by LCC. To put that in perspective, earlier today Detroit City committed 29 turnovers as a team in the Class D final. Both teams shot the ball pretty well, though LCC had a decided advantage in that category. There were huge shots, big plays, lots of hustle, great defense, and great players making great plays all night long. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending to my weekend here at the Breslin.

–How’s this for a stat: Mike Repovz, in two games this weekend, missed a grand total of one shot. Yesterday he was 5-5, today he was 9-10. He was the player of the game for LCC, going for 18 points and 10 rebounds. When the Cougars needed a basket, they would throw it to Mike and he would score. That happened most of the night. Austin Nichols had 16 points in a very nice game for him. He directed the offense well from the point and made timely plays when the opportunity arose. Michael Murray added 13 points.

–The unsung hero for the Cougars was Doug Hawley. The 5'7" senior came off the bench to do what so far no team had been able to do: shut down Shane Moreland. And he did. Shane had 11 in the first quarter, and this prompted the LCC coach to turn to Hawley. Shane had eight points the rest of the game, and none of those came when Hawley was guarding him. Every player on the Cougars should be thanking Hawley on bended knee for making his only goal to be shadowing Shane’s every move, because if Shane had continued his hot play, LCC would have had no chance.

–Shane led the Chargers with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and five steals. This all looks impressive, but he missed the two biggest free throws of his high school career with less than thirty seconds left that probably would have propelled Powers to victory. Eveno so, Shane's game has reached a new level. He looks light-years better than last year and even early this year. His shot is so consistent and he is a top-tier defender. I would think that he has to be a Mr. Basketball candidate next year.

–Tyler Moreland added 14 points and three rebounds in his final game. He struggled down the stretch as well, missing the front end of a one-and-one. He made some big plays for his team, though, too, so he shouldn’t be upset with himself. Still, I know he will be, as this was his last shot to win a championship, and they came that close to doing it. Pat O’Brien had 13 points as well. For a sophomore, he is an exceptional talent, and is already a five-tool player (to borrow from baseball’s lexicon). He played very well tonight.

–Congratulations to Mad Max, the Repo-Man (both pictured right), and the rest from LCC. You guys played your guts out to take this one home. And to Powers, practice your free throws. You’ll be back here next year.