Cass City - For Unionville-Sebewaing, they won't have too many nights like this and that is a good thing.  The Patriots may have had one of their worst shooting nights in recent history but they had quite a bit of help in that category.  Help from their Greater Thumb West rival, Cass City.  The Red Hawks did just enough themselves on offense to get the win but it was their defensive effort that led them their, in the 51-45 victory that garnered them first place in the conference all to themselves.

It took almost two minutes for either team to score.  Cass City's Cameron Lautner broke the scoring drought with just over 6 minutes to go in the opening quarter.  Isaiah Jackson answered the bucket to even things up and two Tim Holland free throws gave USA the lead.  The quarter was almost half over and both teams had managed a combined 6 points of offense.  Most of that was in part to USA's offensive strategy to pass the ball until the best possible shot became available.  The 4-2 lead would be the Patriots' last.  The Red Hawks went on a 10-2 run to close out the first quarter up by 6.  5 different Red Hawks scored in the opening quarter, with Andrew Martin tops with 4 points.

The 2nd quarter looked a little more promising for USA early on.  Brandon Bitzer nailed a three ball to get the Pats to within 2 points at 15-13 but that was as good as it got for USA.  Cass City ripped off a 16-5 run to finish the 2nd quarter.  During that run, Red Hawks Sophomore Austin Babich scored 6 unanswered points to push the lead as high as 15.  Bitzer hit two free throws to end the half, which ended a dismal half for the Patriots, down 31-18.

The third quarter ended up being the most competitive quarter of the contest with each team putting in 11.  Up 13 at the half, all Cass City had to do is keep pace with USA and they would be headed towards the big W.  Brad Hartel was the key player for the Red Hawks in the third pouring in 5.  Babich nailed the heart breaker as time ran down on the third.  Up by 10 points after a Tim Holland free throw by USA, Cass City attacked the basket and it paid off.  Babich went to the hoop, was hacked and still put it home.  Babich added the free throw to complete the three point play and put the Red Hawks up 13 at the end of 3.  It was one of those baskets that can dishearten a team.  Most in the stands were left wondering how ugly this one was going to get. 

The Patriots then turned up the intensity a few notches trying to claw back into the game, a game that they had not been in since early in the 2nd quarter.  What made the USA comeback even more impressive was the fact that they still weren't hot from the floor but they created their own opportunities and made the most out of every possession.  The Pat also were in the penalty early in the fourth which would send the Red Hawks to the line after each foul.  Cass City spent a good portion of the final quarter at the line.  A key factor to USA's rally.  Back up by 13 after a Dereck Halasz free throw, it looked like it was in the bag for the Hawks.  Then came a furious 10-1 run buy the Patriots, which was aided by good old-fashioned defense and cashing in on the offensive side of the ball.  Bitzer had 5 more points, Lance VanHoost, Jackson and Holland all had a basket as well.  With their lead cut to 4 with 2:23 left, the Red Hawks turned it up a notch on defense and re-gained momentum, snuffing out USA's last opportunities and finally hit some shots at the line.  Cass City had helped the Patriots' cause by missing a good amount of free throws mid-way through the fourth.  Hartel hit two free throws while Lautner put three home.  USA managed only 3 points in the final 2 and a half minutes, falling 6 points short of a valiant comeback. 

Cass City came ready to play tonight.  From the opening tip, the Red Hawks played like they were the favorites and that no one was gong to beat them in their house.  USA had trouble breaking through Cass City's defensive wall and when they did, the shots just didn't fall.  Reese lost an overtime thriller tonight against Laker, which with the Red Hawks win tonight, puts them in sole possession of first place in an extremely competitive Greater Thumb West.  It looks like it is going to come down to the two team tonight and Reese for the title.  All Saints has hit a string of bad luck but are a very dangerous team, Bad Axe is solid and just ask Reese about Laker, the team that came in with just one win.  USA goes to Deckerville next Tuesday while Cass City heads to Harbor Beach.  Making Cass City's win today even more important, the Red Hawks game at Harbor Beach is the first of four straight on the road.