By Mike Moore
Staff Writer
Napoleon — Less than 24 hours before taking on his former program and his former coach, Napoleon boys basketball coach Jeremy File said he and his team were approaching Wednesday night’s tilt against Hanover-Horton like any other game.
The morning after a 67-51 victory, File admitted things may be at another level.
“This is definitely a rivalry now,” he said Thursday morning. “This is a great rivalry, and moving forward it’s only going to be more so. It’s going to be even tougher next time, especially going to their place. But that’s all great. This is a big rivalry now.”
File, the first-year Napoleon boys basketball coach was an All-State recipient during his playing days at Hanover-Horton.
He guided the Comets to the quarterfinals in 2002 and the state semifinals in 2003, eventually ending his career as the leading scorer in program history with more than 1,500 to his name.
This was his first time taking on Hanover and his former coach Chad Mortimer.
Things were close early on, with Napoleon holding a 15-11 lead after the first quarter. By halftime, though, the Pirates had opened a 27-19 advantage, and led 46-36 entering the final frame.
Napoleon closed the game on a 21-15 run.
“It was a team victory,” File said.
That may be, but Jacob Chadwell led the way, scoring 36 points in the victory.
“Jacob’s game is all because of the work he puts in,” File said. “He’s in the gym all the time. He’s worked to get to this point.”
Greg Weatherspoon added eight points.
“It was nice to see us play the way we did, more than anything else,” File said. “I mean, it is a rivalry, and we had to treat it that way. We knew we had to play well. We had to go in, play our game, and play the way we were capable.”
File said he saw this potential over the summer, but his team had yet to put it all together this winter.
Until now.
“Everything came together in this one,” he said. “They didn’t play nervous. They just went out and did what we can.”
The win pushed Napoleon to 10-2 overall and 7-1 in the conference, one game back of Michigan Center.
File said there’s no concern about a letdown either.
“Not when you have to play Vandercook Lake,” he explained. His team travels to face the Jayhawks Friday night at 7 p.m. “I think it’s almost impossible to let up, given the schedule we have coming up. At the same time, when you win like this, the pressure only increases. We have to be ready for the best from every team we face.”
As for being 1-0 in his career against Mortimer, File just laughed.
“I think, to be honest, the game was a little rough for both of us, not really knowing how to handle it or what to expect during our first meeting,” he said. “I have so much respect for him, as my former coach. It wasn’t easy at all, I will say that. But we knew we’d have to be on our game. From here on out, I think when we face each other, both teams are going to play well and play hard.”
Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports.
He’s also a Real Estate agent with Real Estate One, specializing with buyers and sellers throughout Michigan, from the Jackson area to metro Detroit. You can reach him at mjm12@albion.edu or by calling (313) 770-6365 with any inquiries.