Tuesday night was judgment day for the streaking but relatively unproven boys basketball team.
Well, they passed with flying colors. Or in Shaun Conway’s case, high-flying colors.
With an 8-1(7-0) record, the talented squad has been having their way with a handful of considerably weaker opponents.
This talented Maple squad proved that they are ready to contend for a conference title with an overpowering 72-53 road win over the Farmington Hills Harrison Hawks, who were previously undefeated in the conference.
Now, as the only undefeated team in the OAA Blue Division, Coach Jose Andrades’ Maples have earned a coveted privilege in all sports: The ability to control their own destiny. If Seaholm wins the rest of their conference games, they will be OAA Blue Division champions.
“That’s definitely the best part,” said Ben Lewis. “I mean, we can just keep winning, and then we can win the conference (Blue Division).”
This team showed me something that makes me believe that they are for real: A balanced attack.
Let’s break it down.
Richaud Pack was productive as usual, scoring 27pts, along with making nine out of 10 free throws.
Dan Meredith added an impressive 18, creating a second threat throughout the game, which kept Harrison off guard.
But, the crucial performance of the game came from Shaun Conway.
Conway, who has traditionally been a solid role player, was a presence from start to finish, dropping a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds, as well as racking up five assists.
“Shaun played a really good game,” said senior Jeremy Altman. “He also had a sweet dunk.”
Getting the ball right underneath the basket, Conway, did throw down a dunk, hard.
Afterwards, the Maples bench erupted, clearly energized from Conway’s stuff.
“Yeah, I mean, we did get pretty pumped after his dunk,” said Lewis. “I didn’t see it but when when I looked up everyone was yelling.”
This is the difference between this year’s team and last year’s team.
Last year, teams could double-team Pack at will, knowing that was the way to stop Seaholm’s offense.
Between Meredith, Jack Quigley, and Conway, there are alternatives in the offense, and in difficult games where Pack is unable to drop between 20 and 30 points, the Maples are going to need production from role players and off the bench, similar to that of the Harrison game.
Scoring aside, one player who has been key in holding down opposing team’s scorers is Chris Mackenzie.
This guy is everywhere.
His biggest asset is his ability to jump the passing lanes, enabling him and his teammates to run the fast-break and create easy baskets.
“Yeah, I try to play good defense,” said Mackenzie. “I mean, Coach Andrades talks in practice a lot about playing good D.”
The team will not have much time to rest on their laurels, playing a hungry Lasher team who, at 4-1 in the conference, will be looking to even themselves in the loss column with the 1st place Maples.
Lewis isn’t worried.
“We’ll beat them easily,” said Lewis. “They are no problem.”
Hey, this team isn’t lacking in confidence, but why should they be?
Life is good when you’re at the top.
