Web posted
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Every possession counts
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Photo by David Wolman
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Dexter forces the issue on defense, defeats Jets
By DAVID WOLMAN
Traveler Sports Editor
sports@arkcity.net
DEXTER -- Dexter came out flying around on the defensive end, jumping in the air and hustling to the floor to grab loose balls.
With Altoona-Midway apparently having ball-handling issues of late, Dexter exposed that weakness even more on Monday night.
And when their offense started to make their shots in the second half, the Fighting Cardinals were able to pull away.
Dexter forced the Jets into committing 29 turnovers and Bradley Berkley scored a game-high 22 points and Eric Pappan added 16 to give the Fighting Cardinals their first playoff win in two years -- a 69-48 win over Altoona-Midway in the first round of the Class 1A playoffs.
"If we got on their guards, we knew that we had a good chance of beating them," Dexter coach Dennis Bryant said. "That was our whole philosophy on this game to get on them and don't let up."
Dexter advances to face Cedar Vale in the second round of the playoffs on Thursday at Dexter.
After going winless last season, Bryant has instilled a tireless work ethic. The wins, including last night's playoff win, have started to come for a team that has a bright future with only one senior.
"We've worked really hard throughout the season," Pappan said. "The coach has pushed us real hard and we're all giving 110 percent."
Dexter forced 17 turnovers last night in the first half, but with its offense not developing any consistency, neither team led by more than eight.
Altoona-Midway led 6-3 early on a layup by Nick Morse. Morse and Jake Widener led the Jets with 15 points apiece.
The Fighting Cardinals set the tone on the game's opening possession, forcing Altoona-Midway into committing a quick turnover.
Midway through the first quarter, Pappan jumped in the air and recorded a steal off an inbounds play and converted a layup for an 8-7 Dexter lead. That was one example of how the Fighting Cardinals forced the issue on the defensive end.
"He's been our (best) guard all year long," Bryant said of Pappan. "If he's on, we're on."
Just in the first half alone, the Fighting Cardinals recorded 11 steals. But they were only able to convert those into eight points.
At times in the first half, Dexter became a little too aggressive on the defensive end. The Fighting Cardinals were whistled for their seventh team foul with 16 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Foul trouble started to become an issue for Dexter in the second quarter, as Asa Muntz was whistled for his second personal just under two minutes into the quarter and Garret Pudden his third shortly after.
Fortunately for Dexter, the Jets weren't able to take advantage at the foul line, making only nine of 19 attempts in the first half. Dexter didn't fare much better at the line, connecting on 5 of 13 attempts.
Altoona-Midway finished 14 of 32 at the foul line, while Dexter was 10 of 21.
The Fighting Cardinals finally found their rhythm on the offensive end late in the first half, using a 9-2 run to close out the half for a 30-22 lead at intermission.
And with Dexter (6-15) able to gain any type substantial lead, Bryant sent a message to his team at halftime: finish the job.
"He told us to put a foot on their head and drown them so they don't have a chance," Pappan said.
That the Fighting Cardinals did, as they outscored Altoona-Midway 21-10 in the third quarter.
Dexter turned the game into a track meet in the second half, using an up-tempo pace to try and wear down the Jets.
"We've said that there's nobody as conditioned as well as us," Bryant said. "We're going to run the whole game if we can. This team (Altoona-Midway), we were able to keep the pressure on them all game."
Pappan gave Dexter its first double-digit lead, 39-28, on a wide-open three-pointer off a nice touch pass by Berkley midway through the third.
And Dexter never let up.
Later in the third, Berkley recorded a steal off an inbounds play and drove for a layup.
Pappan recorded a steal early in the fourth quarter and ran down the court for an open layup and a 55-35 lead.
"Our defense boxed out and did everything we asked them to do," Bryant said.
Muntz and Tyler Marker fouled out in the fourth quarter, but were all smiles on the bench as the Fighting Cardinals were well on their way to advancing to the second round of the playoffs.
Marker finished with 11 points and two rebounds.
Altoona-Midway 14 8 10 16 -- 48
Dexter 15 15 21 18 -- 69
Altoona-Midway -- Morse 15, Widener 15, Engleman 6, Osburn 6, Smedley 4, Browne 1, Howard 1. Totals 16 (2) 14-32 48.
Dexter -- Berkley 22, E. Pappan 16, Marker 11, Muntz 6, B. Pappan 4, Connor 4, Pudden 3, Reimer 2, Drake 1. Totals 27 (5) 10-21 69.
Above: Dexter junior Eric Pappan, left, and Altoona-Midway junior Eddie Smedley dive for a loose ball during a Class 1A playoff game Tuesday night at Dexter. Pappan scored 16 points in Dexter's 69-48 win over Altoona-Midway.
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