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By MIKE JOSEPH
Traveler Correspondent

Jake Davidson showed his complete game Friday night, from inside and outside, scoring 23-points, leading the South Haven Cardinals to an upset of second-seeded West Elk 52-47 in the championship semi-finals of the Dale Misak/SCBL tournament at W.S. Scott Auditorium.

"Jake really came up big for us tonight." said South Haven head coach Darren McDorman. "When he is playing like that we just keep feeding him the ball."

With the Patriots leading 26-20 and time running out in the half, Davidson launched a 23-footer from just left of the top of the key hitting nothing but net as the buzzer sounded. The shot gave the Cardinals momentum, as they came out in the third quarter energized.

"We talked at halftime about turning up the defense." said McDorman. "We utilized out full-court pressure and were able to get them (West Elk) to turn the ball over."

South Haven held a slim 40-39 lead after three quarters before turning up the defense, holding the Patriots scoreless for nearly four-minutes while extending the lead to 47-39.

Brett Koop rallied West Elk back to within three, 47-44, on a three-point play and a steal and layup with 3:10 remaining.

With 1:41 remaining, Davidson was fouled by Tyler Williams. The senior drained the first free-throw, but missed the second and the rebound was snagged by Nathan Yunker. Yunker's pass was stolen by Sonny Lee who pitched the ball ahead, but South Haven's Kalen Fitch stepped in front of the pass giving possession back to the Cardinals.

Yunker was fouled by Taylor Lowe and gave the Cardinals a 49-44 lead, hitting one-of-two from the line.

South Haven looked to spread the floor and take time off the clock in the final two-minutes. Yunker's foul after a miss shot gave the Patriots the ball with less than 30-seconds remaining. Lowe drilled a three from the top of the key pulling West Elk back within a basket at 49-47 with 17-seconds left.

West Elk was forced to foul as the Cardinals got the ball into the front court. Lowe fouled Fitch, who went one-for-two, giving South Haven a 50-47 lead with 10.2-seconds left.

Following a West Elk timeout, Fitch stole the inbound pass and was fouled with 3.8-seconds left. Fitch calmly drained both foul shots sending South Haven to the SCBL championship finals against the Argonia Raiders.

South Haven took a slim 11-8 lead into the second period. Spencer and Fitch were sidelined in foul trouble with two-apiece. McDorman inserted sophomore Patrick Curl and junior Jake Parcher. The Patriots took their first lead 15-13 on a pair of Koop free-throws with 5:15 left in the half.

West Elk led 24-17 before Yunker drilled a three from the left corner with 1:37 left. Lowe gave the Patriots a 26-20 lead, hitting both free-throws after being fouled by Yunker, leading to Davidson's buzzer beater heading into the half.

Koop led West Elk with 17-points while Lee had 13 and Lowe added 10 for the Patriots, who will play in the consolation finals against Dexter at 4:30 today.

SOUTH HAVEN-- 11 12 17 12--52
WEST ELK-- 8 18 13 8--47

South Haven- Davidson 23, Yunker 9, Fitch 7, Spencer 5, Creed 5, Parcher 2, Curl 1
West Elk- Koop 17, Lee 12, Lowe 10, Madison 3, C.Hall 3, S. Hall 2