Martin ran its season reco
rd to 8-9 and its Southwestern Athletic Conference North Division record to 6-3 by defeating visiting Bangor 67-54 Tuesday.
“I thought out guards controlled the tempo of the game very well tonight,” said Martin Coach David Curry. “They (Bangor) are a very athletic team, probably more athletic than we are, but we are fundamentally better, especially at the guard position.”
Guard Colton Keyzer led Martin with 18 points and played very well on both ends of the floor, giving credence to his coach’s praise.
It seems to be a different player to step up in recent games. Garrett Dill commands the most attention from other teams and the standout junior continues to get his points. But you can hear coaches from across the gymnasium demanding their teams keep close to Dill and he finds himself double teamed throughout. But by drawing so much attention, Dill opens up other players and they have responded well. Dill and super soph Tanner Curry have been the most consistent players throughout this season, but others, such as Colton and Andrew Keyzer and Brandon Buell have made other teams pay dearly.
Supporting Colton Keyzer this night were Dill with 17 points, Curry with 15 and Andrew Keyzer with 11.
“We got good balance tonight,” Coach Curry said. “They made a run late in the game, but we stayed strong, especially inside, and held on.”
Martin actually led throughout, taking an 11-7 lead at the end of the first quarter and a 29-22 lead at the half. They stretched the lead to 16 (51-35) in the third quarter and only a three-point shot at the buzzer by Bangor’s Jacob Freislinger cut it to 13 going into the final eight minutes.
Bangor did not score another field goal until 3:23 left to play, but the Vikings were eight for eight from the free throw line during that stretch to close to within six points.
But Colton Keyzer hit two free throws of his own and Curry and Dill hit back to back baskets to put the Clippers back up by 12 and end Bangor’s hopes.
Bangor was led by Lamar Clinton with 23 and Enrique Peterson with 17. Bangor’s record fell to 7-9.
The Clippers are off until next Tuesday, Feb. 24, when they will entertain Fennville.
PHOTO: Sophomore Tanner Curry (52) scores inside against Bangor. (Photo courtesy Jon Gambee)
It has been a privilege and an honor to cover this year’s Clipper teams. They are so well coached and such great kids. It is a small school so a few have to do so much but they are responding with greatness. Watch both teams as district play begins as they are just hitting their respective strides.