Bronchos win thriller in Bay City

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Jared Plawski (23) and Austin ...

BAY CITY, Michigan - With Holly coming in at 6-1 and the host Bay City Central Wolves at 1-6, Holly looked to roll Wednesday night. But, it took a strong finish to overcome the Saginaw Valley League Wolves’ team as Holly picked up the win, 54-52.

The Bronchos failed to take advantage of their superior height and settled for jump shots throughout the first half and it almost cost them.

Central has only two players 6-feet 2-inches or taller while the Bronchos boast eight. The Wolves stayed away from an inside game and it worked well. They moved out to quick 13-7 lead behind the three-point shooting of juniors Robert Craver and Paul Sevilla. Meanwhile, the Bronchos were missing shot after shot, allowing the Wolves to maintain a first half lead at the break of 10 points, 31-21.

The Bronchos, led by seniors Nick Stoll and Donovan Williams, were more patient in the second half. Holly did a much better job of running its offense with Stoll again showing why he’s headed to Division 2 Michigan Tech.

“Our backs were to the wall and we had to come out with a lot of energy to start the second half,” Stoll said. “(Bay City Central) was on fire in the first half.” Stoll gave the Wolves credit for their strong effort this night after Holly blew them out at home last year.

Stoll dominated the paint all night. He finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks.

To his credit, Holly coach Lance Baylis played all 13 of his players, all by early in the second quarter. Not fazed that Holly was only three for 17 from beyond the arc in the first half, he felt that Holly could pull it out if they could close to within three points by the end of the third quarter. With an 18-9 third, they pulled to within one.

“All I know is that I am very, very pleased with the outcome and I am pleased how we got there,” Baylis said. He said that seldom used Blake Ordiway and Justis Kerner both did “a nice job” in limited minutes, helping to overcome an off-night for Holly’s three freshmen, Isaac Casillas, Parker Rowse and Morgan Baylis. The senior Ordiway and the junior Kerner each had two points and Kerner garnered two steals.

Williams had 12 points, 10 coming on pretty drives with strong finishes to score. The right-handed senior is adept at going to this left and he took advantage of this to help Holly pull this one out.

“I am the second shortest guy on the team,” Williams said. “Growing up, I never really worked on shooting, I just worked on driving.”

Holly outscored the Wolves 33-21 in the second half. Seniors Austin Hopkin and Stoll both hit big baskets, including a late bucket and free throw after he was fouled by Hopkin. Central had several chances to tie or take the lead in the last minute but Holly was able to overcome two consecutive missed first shots, and a chance to extend the lead, on one and one free throw attempts.

The Bronchos improved to 7-1 and now host league rival Linden on Friday.


HOLLY

Austin Hopkin            2    2-4     6
Jared Plawski             3    0-0     7
Nick Stoll                  6    5-7    19
Logan Spiker             0    0-0     0
Donovan Williams       5    2-2    12
Blake Ordiway           1    0-0     2
Patrick Reddy            0    0-0     0
Justis    Kerner          1    0-0     2
Morgan Baylis            0    0-0     0
Isaac Casillas              2    0-2     6
Michael Alexande       0    0-0     0
Parker Rowse            0    0-0     0
Cannon Konzer          0    0-0     0

Three pointers: Stoll 2, Casillas2, Plawski 1
Rebounds:  Stoll 10, Plawski 6, Hopkin 5, Williams 4, Casillas 3, Ordiway 1, Rowse 1, Kerner 1

Holly                       14     7    18    15    =  54
Bay City Central        16    15     9    12    =  52