↓ JANUARY SWEEPS

By: Matthew A. Anderson

Midland High topped Midland Dow for the 2nd time this season, this time, a huge conference win that moved them into a share for 2nd place in the SVL. Tiarra Carter led the Chemics with 13 points in the 50-24 points win. Becca Mills scored 14 of the Chargers' 24 total points.

High School basketball is a numbers game and this for the 2009-10 Girls' hoops season, the Chemics have the Chargers number. It seemed as if every loose ball, every shot that rattled around the rim, the rebounds, the steals, it just seemed to all go Midland High's way on Friday night. They also played with patience and took what the Chargers gave them. Dow played with a lot of intensity but were pressured by the Chemics throughout, which led to turnovers and low percentage shots.

The Chargers went up early 3-0 but Midland High answered with 11 straight and took an 11-6 lead after the opening quarter. With 5:43 remaining in the half, the Chargers cut it to a 3 point deficit at 16-13 but failed to score a single point for the rest of the half. Midland High closed the half out on a 9-0 run and took a 25-13 lead into the lockers.

The 2nd half was a lot more of the same as Midland High just built on their lead. The Chargers were up 19 after the third quarter and eventually built the lead up to 26, which is where it went final at 50-24.

The man-man defense by Midland High was amazing tonight. They stuck on the Chargers and gave them no room to work, no room to breath. They also rolled double coverage into Becca Mills to keep her from dominating the entire game. Mills still finished with 14, with getting limited looks and especially limited good looks. She had to fight and grind for every single point.

Jessica Jarema and Danielle Blake both scored 9 points to go with Carter's 13 for the Chemics. Now that both teams are tied in conference play, their focus will shift to tomorrow's big game pitting Saginaw High vs. Arthur Hill. AH is undefeated in conference play, while Saginaw High has 1 conference loss (to Dow). Both Dow and Midland High have a big meeting with Arthur Hill on the horizon.

For a 'wrapUP' of Friday's and some of Saturday's action from around the hardwood for both boys and girls, Hop on over to the Legends High blog for a summary of last night's big games, top performances and links to other content on Legends and across the media stratosphere!

Check out tonight's Hardwood wrapUP @ The Legends High Blog here. 01.29.10 wrapUP