Tri-metro race tightens

Prologue
Off to the island for the first of 3 or 4 DeLaSalle games in a row on my schedule (something I'm not a fan of but this game, the Border Battle and the BSM game are too big to miss).  DeLaSalle trying to make up for their Tri-Metro loss back in December 50-44 at Blake. No upgrades at the concession stand tonight but A&W Root Beer is always a good variety choice.  We get one of the finest bands around in the DeLaSalle band.  They don't disappoint with this locally flavored tune for our

Song of the Day
Prince - When Doves Cry

Game Time
Blake had a ton of success with their 3-2 zone in the first game but in this one they go man to man.  Interesting start as the teams trade 5 second calls on the first possessions.  Hard to know that rule even existed anymore.  Reid Travis puts back a miss after a big Blake block.  That's his first opportunity for a 3 point play and he converts one on a lob.  7-0 DLS at the 15:30 mark and Blake goes to their zone.  The lead gets to 9-0 but the zone slows the pace.  John Veil for 3 and adds a free throw later.  Kebu Johnson down the lane and finishes right handed (he's lefty).  That cuts the DeLaSalle lead to 14-10 at the 7:30 mark.  Veil with a drive and pulls up for 3 to force a DeLaSalle timeout at the 4:46 mark.  19-15 Islanders lead.  That sparks DLS to the next 6 points, but Blake would fight back with a Veil assist for a 3 point play and Kebu drives for a righty dunk.  Trey Shepherd with a putback at the buzzer for a 27-21 halftime lead for DeLaSalle.

Then 3 Blake turnovers early in the second half are painful.  Shawn Fitzgibbons converts 1 for a layup, Luke Scott another and he follows that with a 3.  The lead balloons to 35-23 with 15:51 to play.  Blake fights back again with the next 6 as Kebu takes a turnover for a dunk and goes to the reverse layup.  35-29 DLS with 14:01 left.  DLS pushes the lead back to 11.  Blake looking for another comeback.  JR Bascom with a turnaround and then they miss a reverse layup.  Travis grabs it and throws the long bomb to Tyler Moore for a layup.  44-34 DLS with 5:05 left.  The teams trade a pair of buckets before Blake misses a pair of good looks at 3s before Kebu Johnson makes a jumper and Paul Blake scores.  49-42 DLS with 2:08 left.   But there's not enough time for a run now.  DeLaSalle wins 58-49.

Post Game
For Blake, Kebu Johnson leads with 15 points, John Veil with 13.  JR Bascom with 9 of his 11 in the 2nd half.  They ran a ton of pick and roll with Veil and Johnson being the handlers and really didn't get much out of it.  The Bears fall into a tie in the loss column at 11-1 in the Tri-Metro, 14-3 overall.  This was the 1st in a 5 game road swing.  Next is Monday at Roosevelt.  Big road test at Minnehaha in mid-February.

For DeLaSalle, Reid Travis 15 points and 8 rebounds.  He had 3 huge blocks in the 2nd half including 2 on the same possession that ended up in a turnover.  13 for Luke Scott.  The Islander offense vs zone wasn't pretty but their defense was once again outstanding.  Veil and Johnson with almost no good looks.  Islanders are now 10-1 in the Tri-Metro and 12-3 overall.  A stuff test at Sun Prairie, WI in the Border Battle on Saturday before the big showdown with #1AAA Benilde-St. Margaret's on Tuesday night.