11/27/2009
BUILDING CONFIDENCE
Reprinted with permission from The News Dispatch

Adam Parkhouse
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - For significant portions of Wednesday's season opener, Marquette looked primed to spoil Michigan City coach John Boyd's debut.

The Blazers went on a big run before halftime to cut the Wolves big lead down to just eight. But City's upset-minded opponent from the other side of town couldn't get much closer and City got a 61-44 win at the Wolves Den, snapping a 17-game losing streak going back to last season.

"If you watched us play, you saw we're a much more patient bunch," Boyd said. "We make the extra pass and those are things we've been working on."

During the second quarter, City looked as though it was about to blow the game wide open. The Wolves beat the Blazers 74-38 a year ago in the season opener, and this one appeared headed to the same fate.

But Marquette's Tucker Miller (game-high 18 points) knocked down back-to-back 3-pointers and then a couple free throws to complete a 10-0 run and make the halftime score a manageable 31-23.

"We were excited, but what hurt us is we turned the ball over right away (in the second half)," Marquette coach Jason Hawkins said. "We were encouraged ... but we have to be consistent.

"When you're a small school you've gotta do things right all the time."

With 1:50 left in the third quarter, Miller drained another trey to make the score 41-34.

But throughout the game, Marquette lived at the 3-point line. Of their 44 shot attempts, 26 were 3-pointers. The Blazers made nine from downtown.

However, City went on a quick 6-0 run to close out the third quarter and was able to extend the lead late by making 8-of-12 attempts from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.

"We're out here trying to learn our system," Boyd said. "Give all the credit to coach Hawkins, he's got a senior ball club and they hung in there."

All 12 Wolves who dressed played by halftime and nine of them scored.

"That builds confidence," Boyd said. "It's a long season and those guys are gonna be needed."

Hawkins was pleased with his team's effort in hanging tough with the faster, deeper Wolves.

"There were good signs and bad signs. I'm encouraged, actually," Hawkins said. "There were moments we looked great and moments we looked really bad.

"With all our seniors, we shouldn't have those lapses."

One of three Gary West Side transfers, Alajowon Edwards, led City with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Taylor Lavery started and scored five points and the third, Reggie Clay, didn't play due to injury.

"I was just out there playing and having fun," Edwards said. "I love it here (at City). I like the environment and I like the crowd."

Boyd admitted that the team is still coming together, but said by the end of the season it will be different story.

"I always say, get us early," Boyd said. "Because after January, we should have our identity."

Notes: City won the junior varsity game 35-15. ... City outrebounded Marquette 43-20 and six different Wolves had at least five boards. ... Of Marquette's 18 first-half shots, 14 were from behind the 3-point line. ... City didn't have its first turnover until the 5:41 mark of the second quarter when Edwards was whistled for a traveling violation. The Wolves finished with 17 turnovers.

Contact Sports Editor Adam Parkhouse at aparkhouse@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 461.