Swartz Creek - Fans came to Swartz Creek on Friday night expecting a show and relatively tight game between two of the Flint Metro's early favorites for the title.  Well, they got it all, just not at the same time and in bunches.  The first and final quarters were pretty tight with Swartz Creek winning both by 3.  It was the middle quarters, however, that electrified the crowd.  In the 2nd quarter, the Dragons turned a close game into a blowout.  In the third quarter, the Panthers hit back with a run of their own that set the tone for an exciting final period.

The first quarter was back and forth with Swartz Creek ending the quarter with a big run to erase a deficit and take a three point lead into the first intermission.  The 2nd quarter looked like a track meet with someone forgetting to tell the Panthers that the starting gun had went off.  After a Doug Haggadone bucket drew the Panthers back within 3, the Dragons went on a 16-4 run to close out the first half.  SC's Trevor L'Homedieu contributed 5 points in the 2nd quarter to go along with his 8 in the first.  Ben Cummings was another big factor in the run with six 2nd quarter points.  The 2nd quarter was dominated by Swartz Creek on the boards, most notably the offensive glass.  Along with the rebounding, the Dragons' defensive pressure was forcing turnover after turnover.  When all was said and done in the 2nd, Swartz Creek took a 39-24 lead into the break.

Halfway through the 3rd quarter, it looked as if Swartz Creek was well on their way to a lopsided victory, extending the lead to 20 at 47-27.  Lapeer West had other ideas.  Just when it looked like the Panthers were going night-night, they struck back and struck back fast, going on a 11-0 run.  The run was sparked by three consecutive steals, two lay-ups by Chris Hutton and 5 points by Ryan Weber.  Todd Delange scored Lapeer West's last six points of the quarter, including 4 free throws, which cut the lead to 7, a far cry from 20 down, just four minutes earlier.

With the stage set for an exciting finish, things got even tighter as West's Zack Koerner scored to open the fourth quarter and trim the margin to 5.  Moments later, SC's Matt Homes nailed a three ball to put the Dragons back up by 8 and seize a little bit of momentum.  West had got back to within 5 after a Hutton bucket but that was as close as they got.  The remainder of the game turned into a free throw shooting contest.  Swartz Creek did the job at the line, led by 6 free throws by Russell Hope, 5 by Cummings and 4 by L'Homedieu.  Hutton scored 10 of his 20 in the final period but it wasn't enough. 

With the 70-60 win, Swartz Creek asserts themselves as one of the favorites for the Metro crown.  The Metro may be down this year so far but Creek along with Lapeer East, a surprising Clio team and Lapeer West could make some noise beyond conference play.  We won't have to wait long to see how these teams stack up against each other.  4 days to be exact.  Next Tuesday, Swartz Creek will host Lapeer East and West will host Clio, in what should be a thrilling evening of FML basketball.