Grand Blanc - It was the game that almost wasn't.  Unfortunately for Grand Blanc it was the game that went on, despite area wide event cancellations and school not being in session for both squads because of the chilly temps.  The Bobcats knew coming in that they would have to play the perfect game to knock Powers off of their perch.  Their hopes for an upset were dashed early however.  Behind 6 first quarter threes by Powers, Grand Blanc never recovered from the blitz from beyond the arc.  The Chargers hit 8 3's in the first half alone, 3 apiece by Laval Lucas-Perry and Shane Moreland to race out to a 17 point half time lead.  The Chargers didn't let up until late in the fourth on their way to a dominating 78-58 win, keeping them 2 ahead of everyone in a Big Nine race that is theirs to lose. 

Things looked great for Grand Blanc early on.  The Bobcats had jumped out in front 8-3, with all 8 points coming from big man Aaron Jackson.  The forecast then changed to raining threes. Lucas-Perry hit one from down down to cut the lead to 2.  Shane Moreland tied it up on a bucket and then the Cats took the lead for good on another Lucas-Perry trey.  Moreland would go on to hit two more from downtown and Andrew Charlesworth added another, totaling 6 first quarter three pointers for Powers and a 24-18 lead at the 1st intermission.  Jackson had scored the first 8 for Grand Blanc but failed to find the basket after that.  Bobcat star Adrian Hunter only managed 3 points in the first.

The 2nd quarter was the most dominating period of the game for Powers.  They held the Bobcats to just 8 points.  Lucas-Perry extended the Charger lead by 9 when he opened the 2nd with yet another three.  After both teams traded baskets, Tyler Moreland got into the act with 5 unanswered points, including the Chargers' 8th three of the half, pushing the lead to 11 at 33-22.  With 4:07 remaining in the 1st half, things got much worse for Grand Blanc.  Aaron Jackson, the Bobcats' leading scorer with 10 points, suffered a cut above his left eye, prompting the game to be delayed for a few minutes.  Jackson would later return but it was yet another blow to Grand Blanc's dwindling chances.  Before the 1st half was concluded, Powers had extended the lead to 17 behind, powerful performances by Lucas-Perry's 14 and Shane Moreland's 13.

Moreland and Lucas-Perry opened the 2nd half where they had left off each draining threes.  The lead ballooned to 27.  Aaron Jackson returned in the 3rd quarter but the deficit was too much to overcome.  It could have been much worse but Grand Blanc's Matt Serra was doing his best keep the Bobcats competitive with 8 third quarter points.  The third quarter included 5 more three pointers from the Chargers.  The last coming on a dagger through the hearts of the Bobcats.  With just under a minute remaining, the Chargers were determined to eat the clock and get the last shot.  They took a little bit too much time and by the time the clock was ready to run out, Mike Zureikat had to throw up a long range bomb as time expired.  When things are going your way, they are going your way, as the shot fell, ending the third quarter with a 26 point Chargers' advantage.

With a 26 point difference, the final period was a good time to get the reserves some valuable playing time on both sides.  Grand Blanc outscored the Chargers by 6 but fell plenty short of the final tally, with Powers pulling out the 20 point victory.  Lucas-Perry hit two free throws in the waning moments and finished with 24.  Shane Moreland was close behind with 21 points, while brother Tyler contributed 11.  Pat O'Brien and Andrew Charlesworth didn't tear it up in the scoring column but they played a vital role down low on both sides of the court.  Aaron Jackson was the high scorer with the Bobcats with 16.  Hunter had 13 and Matt Serra finished with a solid 15. 

The game was decided by Powers' obvious success beyond the arc, but also the Chargers' dominating performance on the offensive boards.  They cashed in on many 2nd and 3rd chance opportunities, some the Bobcats had little of Tuesday night.  The Chargers just couldn't miss from downtown.  The Bobcats meanwhile, couldn't get enough open looks to run their own three point campaign.  With the win, the Chargers stay two full games ahead of Carman-Ainsworth, whom they also beat twice.  With four conference games to go for Powers, only Davison will have an overall winning record.  Grand Blanc's home stretch is a little more daunting with Carman-Ainsworth and defending state champ, Arthur Hill on the remaining slate.  Even if they don't win out, the Bobcats have a perfect opportunity to play some quality teams, so that when the tournament rolls around in early March, they will be at a level that will benefit them on their road to the Breslin.  Powers' will enter the tournament with a little bit more pressure.  They are one of those teams that will be favored to make a deep run.  However that path to the Breslin will most likely include a big road block in Flint S.W.A., one of the state's best regardless of class.  If the Chargers can continue to be consistent from behind the three point line and get continued improvement from the likes of Shane Moreland and Pat O'Brien, their run may not have to end at the hands of the Knights.  Anything can happen, that is why we enjoy the Madness.