As far as rivalries go, the football field has seen things go the way of DeWitt for some time.  But for Haslett, the basketball court has become the great equalizer.  The Vikings (5-3; 4-0 CAAC Red) got a key block and a lucky miss in the last 4 seconds of Friday's 49-48 victory over the Panthers (6-3; 3-1 CAAC Red).  It was a game of runs and constant momentum swings for both squads.  DeWitt held a 13-12 lead after one quarter, going inside to big man Luke Hyde before foul trouble sent him to the bench.  Haslett fought back with Ty Andrades in the 2nd, as the Junior guard scored 8 of his 17 points, and the Vikings turned the tide, leading 28-26 at the half.  The Panthers responded in the third with Senior Tanner Reha leading the charge.  Reha put in 6 of his 17 pts in the 3rd, and DeWitt regained the lead, 38-37.  The final stanza was tight, with both squads trading buckets and playing stellar defense.  Nate Flannery of DeWitt dropped a few dimes and hit a clutch 3, and it looked like the Panthers might steal one in Haslett.  But a few backdoor cuts from Mitchell Mowid, assisted by Andrades on both, turned things towards the Vikings.  And like a lot of ballgames do, it came down to defense, who can make their free throws (and perhaps a bit of luck for one team).  Haslett kept the pressure on, and Ty Andrades hit 2 FT's late.  Then, after a DeWitt miss, the Vikings turned it over in the back court, giving the ball back with about 30 seconds left.  Tanner Reha missed a shot and a battle ensued for the rebound.  A jump-ball situation gave the Panthers one more opportunity with 4.4 seconds remaining.  After a timeout, DeWitt in-bounded to Isaac Hungerford who went up for a 15-footer, but Hunter Nash of Haslett rejected the it.  Luke Hyde managed to get the rebound and had a put back opportunity and a chance for the win.  But somehow the ball refused to drop, the buzzer sounded, and Haslett eked out the 1-point win.  It was the third straight victory for the Vikings over the Panthers, dating back to last season, and it gave them a 1-game lead in the CAAC Red over DeWitt and Waverly, who defeated Mason Friday night as well.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS:

Haslett Vikings:

TY ANDRADES: 17 points, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 steal

SAM LACZYNSKI: 8 points, 2 rebounds

MITCHELL MOWID: 7 points, 3 blocks, 2 rebounds

BLAKE LAMPMAN: 7 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds

 

DeWitt Panthers:

TANNER REHA: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists

LUKE HYDE: 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists

NATE FLANNERY: 11 points, 6 assists, 5 steals

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