Comets (22-2) set to tangle with Pewamo-Westphalia (22-2) in regional final
By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Horton – Since last season came to a close on the floor of the Breslin Center, Chad Mortimer and the guys associated with that state semifinal loss have set their sights on a return trip in 2016.
The Hanover-Horton boys basketball coach said Wednesday night’s Class C regional opponent will be the best his team has seen all year.
So, the road to East Lansing continues in Springport and must go through Pewamo-Westphalia.
“They are very disciplined. They take care of the ball. They run different set plays every time down the floor,” Mortimer said of Pewamo-Westphalia (22-2). “They are a very good team, the best we’ve seen all year.”
The Comets, also 22-2, aren’t too shabby themselves, though.
That was evident Monday night in a regional semifinal when Mortimer admitted his guys went through some bad stretches, but still found a way to eliminate Dansville 77-65.
“It was close the whole way,” Mortimer said. “We’d get up eight or nine and they’d battle back. We couldn’t put them away. … But it’s not about how pretty the wins are right now. It’s all about finding ways to win and move on.”
Doing that in the 6 p.m. final at Springport will be even more difficult, and require a much more consistent effort, as Mortimer put it.
Pewamo is a defensive team that doesn’t give up much, just 52 the other night in a seven-point victory against Ypsilanti Arbor Prep.
In the district round, the Pirates allowed 87 points, total, in three games.
Mortimer knows his team’s defensive effort will be paramount, as this is not likely to be a high-scoring game.
“We have to understand our responsibility on defense,” Mortimer stressed. “We have to communicate, because they will set screens all over. They are also tough on the boards, so we have to find ways to rebound.”
Asked whether or not there’s anything to be made about being in a regional final for the second year in a row, Mortimer said, “no, not really.”
There was considerable roster turnover since last year’s run. Preston Laketa is the main regular back in the mix.
“But I will say this, these guys have gotten some good experience this year, and that counts for something,” Mortimer added. “They believe in what we’re doing, both on defense and offense. It’s going to come down to contesting things and making things difficult for Pewamo if we want to move on.”
Mortimer speaks with a straight-on approach, quickly and to the point.
He talked about Wednesday’s game early in the day Tuesday, yet sounded like he was ready to battle any second.
“As a coach, you win one game and you start thinking about the next,” he said. “This is the time of year that’s exciting, but nerve racking. You don’t want the season to end. Every team still playing is tough.”
He knows Pewamo-Westphalia certainly will be.
But he’s got a pretty good group of his own to work with.
Fast Facts:
-The Match up: Hanover-Horton (22-2) vs. Pewamo Westphalia (22-2) in Class C regional final
-Game time: 6 p.m. at Springport High
-Last Meeting: March 12, 2012 – a 55-35 Pewamo victory in a Class C regional semifinal
–Defensive Battle: Hanover is allowing 44.2 points per game, while the Pirates allow 38.4
-Going Streaking: Hanover has won 16 games in a row, the Pirates eight
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports. You can reach him atmjm12@albion.edu. He’s also the author of ‘Love, Defined; A Dedication to the Love, Sacrifice, and Magic of Motherhood.’
Love, Defined is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tate Publishing or by contacting Mike directly.