Saginaw - Home sweet home.  The Saginaw High Trojans, who just a month earlier dropped a contest to these same Arthur Hill Lumberjacks by 18, pulled a complete 360 in this one.  The poise and defense that had been missing during the first meeting was more evident than ever Friday night in Saginaw.  This time is was the Trojans that had the advantage on the boards and dominated the inside on defense.  When Arthur Hill came strong to the hoop, more often than not, they came away scoreless.  The Jacks, who had played with such poise and championship character all season, looked agitated and hurried.  All of these factors played a big part in the High's 79-73 win.  In the game that counted in the standings, the Trojans kept pace with Flint S.W.A. who had won Friday in Bay City.  Arthur Hill, the state's top team coming into the game, suffered their 2nd conference loss and are more than likely looking at no higher than a second place conference finish. 

Things started off well for the Jacks.  Tommie Prater sank the opening points of the game and Arthur Hill was able to build an eight point lead with 4:09 to go in the first quarter.  After Latreze Mushatt had made it 14-6, Saginaw High Head Coach, Lou Dawkins had seen enough and called the game's first timeout.  The Trojans came out a new team after the short period to gather themselves.  Saginaw High responded immediately with Bobby Lewis hitting from downtown.  2 Daniel West and a Will Marlow basket later, the Trojans were within just 1 at 16-15.  At the end of one, the Trojans took their first lead at 21-20.  Daniel West was the top scorer in the first with 8 points, while Antoine Lundy on the flipside, had 6 for the Jacks.

The 2nd quarter was more of the same with both teams trading blows.  The only difference is that it was Saginaw High's turn to create some breathing room, at least for a while anyhow.  The Trojans opened the quarter on a 9-3 run.  The three points for Arthur Hill came off of free throws, while West was leading the surge for Saginaw High again with 5 on the short run.  After Mike Green had made it 30-23, it was Arthur Hill's turn to collect their composure and regain traction.  They did so by committee, with Lundy, Dar Tucker, Mushatt, Tyree Wooten and Tommie Prater all scoring.  Dar finished the 2nd quarter with a bucket and put the Jacks back up by 1 at 37-36 heading into the lockers.  This game was playing out much like the first game.  The score from game one was lopsided in the end but it was only because of huge runs in the last quarter and a half.

In the second half it looked as if the defending champs were on their way to sweeping the regular season series.  After Josh Southern and Mushatt traded baskets, Wooten ripped off 5 straight points.  Two Tucker free throws later and the Jacks were up 5 at 46-41.  The last lead of the game quickly evaporated for Arthur Hill with 4:33 remaining in the third.  The Trojans went on an incredible 18-4 run to close out the third quarter.  Saginaw High's defensive pressure and inside dominance changed the entire makeup of the game.  With Mushatt now and foul trouble and Dar's toe sprain clearly bothering him, the slashing and game down low for the Jacks wasn't effective.  The play of the game and most likely the biggest energy infusion for the Trojans came on a sequence of events where Draymond Green stuffed a Tucker lay-up attempt.  The Trojans turned the block into a quick outlet pass to Bobby Lewis who laid it in to put the Trojans up by 3.  Josh Southern who hadn't played a large part in the scoring, put home 5 points in the final two minutes of the quarter.  The biggest basket coming off of a missed free throw, where Josh grabbed the offensive rebound and put it in.  After three, the Trojans were up 59-50.

Saginaw High moved in front by as much as 14 in the fourth before the Jacks made one last move and attempt to climb back into the game.  Over the next four minutes Arthur Hill went on a 15-3 run to bring them to within 2.  After a Mushatt basket, Wooten struck from downtown again.  Tucker capped the run with a beautiful drive and make, setting the score at 69-67.  With immense pressure, Latreze Mushatt intercepted the inbounds pass but lost control of the ball and Saginaw High went on the break.  With numbers, the Trojans found a wide open Robert Clark on the other in to lay it in.  Arthur Hill went for the home run on the next play but the long pass sailed out of bounds.  Southern put the Trojans up by 6 on the next possession.  Down 7 with 31 ticks left, Tommie Prater nailed a three to cut it to 4.  Daniel West finished as he had started and iced the game on a free throw and breakaway basket, putting the Trojans up by 7.  Wooten nailed another three but it was too little too late.  Draymond Green hit two free throws with just seconds remaining to make the score final at 79-73.  The payback for last month's loss was complete.

It was clear that the Trojans had the edge tonight.  Early in the game, the signs of Dar's sprained toe were visible with minor limping and grimacing.  The injury wasn't the deciding factor but it limited Dar's game.  Limiting his game more than an injury was the defense of Saginaw High.  Southern and Green were an imposing force down low.  The Jacks who had entered the paint, paid a price.  Daniel West led all scorers with 19,  while Wooten had 18 to lead Arthur Hill.  The best all around game was put forth by Draymond Green.  The big man finished with a double-double, 13 points and 10 boards.  Green also had five blocks.  Tommie Prater had 14 for the Jacks, Mushatt had 12 and Tucker finished with only 10 but had 15 boards.  Bobby Lewis and Josh Southern had 13 and 12 for the Trojans respectively. 

The road map for the SVL title is now quite a bit clearer.  Arthur Hill now sits two games behind Saginaw High and Flint S.W.A. in the standings.  With only three games to go for most teams in the conference, it is very unlikely that the Lumberjacks will figure into the title race.  So that leaves February 15th, when S.W.A. visits the Trojans to decide the championship.  The Jacks are on the outside looking in but the focus on the bigger prize still remains.  Arthur Hill, along with Saginaw High will be the favorites to bring home the hardware on March.  So get ready for round three between East and West side, that will most likely take place on March 10 if all goes as planned.  With the season tied at 1-1, who knows what the third installment with have for us.  One thing is for sure, fans of Saginaw basketball will have a title favorite either way.