Final score: Mariner 80, Jackson 75
By Mike Cane
Herald Writer
MILL CREEK — The Mariner boys basketball team used an efficient, balanced offense — all five Marauders starters scored at least 11 points — and withstood a late challenge to beat the Jackson Timberwolves 80-75 Tuesday in a Western Conference South Division game.
Guard Michael Minor and post Nick Malysheff combined to score 27 second-half points to help keep Mariner unbeaten. The Marauders (4-0 in league and overall) are living up to their preseason billing as the division favorite. In The Herald’s Wesco South preseason coaches’ poll, Mariner was No. 1, Jackson No. 2.
“It’s a big victory. We’re trying to get this Wesco title so it means a lot to us,” said Minor, who scored many of his team-high 21 points on smooth mid-range jump shots. Malysheff chipped in 18 points for Mariner, which shot 69 percent from the field.
“They made some tough shots and some guys stepped up. But by the same token I think we need to play better defense,” Jackson head coach Steve Johnson said. “They had way too many easy shots so they were able to play a high-scoring game because I don’t think we made it difficult enough for them to score.”
Guards Brett Kingma (29 points) and Ryan Todd (25 points) helped Jackson keep it interesting until the end. Kingma, who made six 3-pointers in the game, scored 17 points in the fourth quarter.
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End of third quarter: Mariner 52, Jackson 45
Thanks to solid quarters by Michael Minor and Nick Malysheff, Mariner leads 52-45. Minor and Malysheff combined to score a dozen points in the third quarter (six apiece) and Mariner outscored Jackson 18-13.
Jackson tied it twice early in the third quarter but Mariner used a mix of effective interior passing and long jump shots to pull away.
Costume of the night goes to a Jackson fan who is dressed up as Santa Claus. I’ve never seen Santa scream so much. He’s even got some jingle bells.
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Halftime score: Mariner 34, Jackson 32
The teams have maintained a pretty crisp pace tonight and Mariner leads by two points at the intermission.
Four players have scored six or more points for Mariner, which shot 60 percent (12 of 20) from the field. Stefan Doerscher leads the Marauders with nine points, including two 3-point baskets.
Ryan Todd has been the big scorer for Jackson, which was just 6-for-16 from the field in the first quarter. Todd has 14 points, all on two-point buckets. His steal and layin late in the opening quarter was part of an 8-0 Jackson run that rejuvenated the Timberwolves after a slow start on offense.
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Getting ready for tip-off
I’m back at the Jackson High gym for another Western Conference boys basketball game. Tonight it’s a big Wesco South clash: Jackson vs. Mariner.
In The Herald’s Wesco South preseason coaches’ poll, Mariner was ranked No. 1, Jackson No. 2. So I’m expecting this to be a close one.
My guess is that Mariner, known for its tough, relentless defense, will try to make this a low-scoring grinder. But Jackson has a very talented backcourt with guards Brett Kingma and Ryan Todd.
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