FLINT TOWNSHIP, Michigan - After two tough regular season losses to Swartz Creek, Holly willed its way and got some love for their effort in a big tournament win over the Dragons of Swartz Creek Monday night at Carman-Ainsworth.  Holly seniors Kevin Wilson and Thomas Lovachis were outstanding, making plays at both ends of the floor, as the Bronchos were finally able to finish the overgrown reptiles from the west side of Flint, 53-46.  

The nerves on both sides were evident early as both teams struggled to find the basket.  Many of the shots were short and the stress of this big game filled the old gym on Linden Road.  The Bronchos led 13-9 after one aided by a late layin from Lance Hopkin after a nice inbound pass from Kyle Sherwin.  

Early in the second Holly edged out to a 16-11 lead only to find the Creek roaring back to tie at 16.  As in the previous two matches the two rivals were engaged in another defensive struggle with the game tied at 21 before Hopkin was fouled on a feed from Wilson with two seconds left in the half.

Hopkin hit both at the charity stripe and the Bronchos led 23-21 at the break.

After the half, the Bronchos again looked like they were about to take control of the game by jumping out to a 31-23 lead.  Determined, the Dragons fought back to make it 32-31 added by Cody Campbell’s three to keep it a game.  The Dragons finished the contest with 8 threes.

Holly led 36-35 heading into the fourth and one more time the start of the period belonged to the Bronchos as Sherwin and Lovachis each hit 2 free throws after an early Holly hoop.  The Bronchos led 42-35 and they would never give up the lead.  After Lovachis was intentionally fouled on a slam attempt and hit 1 of 2 at the line, Holly’s lead was 53-43 and only the final score was in doubt as Creek dropped in a last second three to end a great season for the Dragons.

In playing probably the best game of his two-year varsity career, Kevin Wilson implored his teammates to leave their “hearts on the floor” and they surely did.  “We played 60 games last summer and sometimes 3 games in one day”, said Wilson. “We played our hearts out tonight.”   Wilson and Lovachis led Holly with 14 to help the Bronchos cool off the Dragons.  Wilson added 9 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal to his sterling effort.  Hopkin grabbed an amazing 12 rebounds, 5 alone in the first quarter, as the Bronchos were dominant on the boards all night.  Cody Campbell and Logan Hull had 15 and 12 respectively to lead the Dragons.

The Bronchos (17-4) will play Brandon (6-14) on Wednesday night at Carman-Ainsworth, 1300 N. Linden Road, Flint.  Brandon, who had a bye in the first round, will be looking to beat the Bronchos for the first time this year after two close losses during the regular season.  The game will begin at 5 p.m.


HOLLY
Sherwin      2    4-7     6
L. Hopkin    3    3-3     9
Wilson        5    3-6    14
Lovachis    4    6-10   14
Folwer       2    5-6       9
Beeler        0    0-0      0
Fugate      0    1-2       1
Young       0    0-0       0
Gray         0    0-0       0
Wingate    0    0-0      0


Three pointers:  Wilson 1
Rebounds:  L. Hopkin 12, Wilson 9, Sherwin 7, Lovachis 4, Young 3, Fowler 2, Fugate 1

Holly                  13    10    13    17    =    53
Swartz Creek      9    12    14    11    =     46

Detroit Country Day 59, Holly 34
Holly    48, Brandon 42
Holly 68, Lapeer East 42
Swartz Creek 51, Holly 44
Holly 62, Linden 47
Fenton 43, Holly 37
Holly 57, Clio 48
Holly 72, Kearsley 65
Holly 51, Lapeer West 37
Holly 79, Oxford 75 (OT)
Holly 74, Lapeer East 53
Holly 62, Brandon 56
Holly 65, Linden 39
Swartz Creek 63, Holly 59
Holly 71, Clio 42
Holly 69, Fenton 67
Holly 68, Kearsley 67 (OT)
Holly 68, Lapeer West 60
Holly 68, Oxford 58
Holly 51, Flushing 39

Final Record 16-4, Flint Metro 15-3

HOLLY, Michigan - In a rare meeting between the Big Nine and the Flint Metro, the Bronchos of Holly had no trouble with Flushing in a very cold gym at Holly High.  The Bronchos turned on the heat early and ran away with a 51-39 win that was not indicative of Holly’s dominance at both ends of the floor.

Both squads came out in 2-3 zones.  Holly’s worked.  Flushing’s was dreadful.  The Bronchos were able to easily move the ball inside for repeated lay-ups and short jumpers.  Holly quickly moved out to a 7-0 lead highlighted by a great pass from Justin Fowler to junior Andarius Gray for an easy bucker.  The seldom used Gray was stellar early, fully taking advantage of his rare opportunity for quality playing time.  Behind strong rebounding and tough defense, the Bronchos led 16-7 after one and totally dominated the second quarter (11-2) to take a commanding 27-9 lead at the half.  Holly, never known for its work on the boards, was outstanding in the first half with 8 caroms for Lance Hopkin and 5 each for Kevin Wilson and Thomas Lovachis.