Tieler Gravelle looks over at the Chippewa Raiders bench following a three-pointer to seal the win for the Widdifield Wildcats.
The Widdifield Wildcats are one win away from becoming the first team other than the West Ferris Trojans to win a NDA Senior Boys Basketball title this decade, as they defeated the Chippewa Raiders in game one by a score of 64-45.
Brandon McBeath led the way for the Wildcats with 13 points, while Tieler Gravelle added 10 of his own, including two three-pointers in the fourth quarter which helped seal the victory for his team in front of their home fans.
"We knew that we didn't play our best series in the semis against Algonquin and our coach had us work hard this week to prepare for Chippewa," Gravelle said following the victory.
"It wasn't as easy as it looks, but when the offense was playing as well as it did out there it really helps."
Brendan Lafontaine was the top scorer for the Raiders with 12 points, while Graham Gauthier added 10 in a losing effort.
“Widdifield got their run going and we couldn't get ours in the second half, and in this league it's hard to get back into a game when that happens,” Raiders assistant coach Tim Simpson said.
"They're a strong veteran club and they stepped up their game, we broke down a little bit defensively and they took advantage of that."
In the first quarter the Raiders held an 11-8 lead after a couple of three-point shots, but Dave Rodgers sunk a lay-up and was fouled just at the buzzer. Rodgers would miss his free-throw attempt, leaving the Wildcats down by one point.
The second quarter was all about three-pointers, as Widdifield used its outside shooting to take a nine point lead. However the Raiders came roaring back, as Gauthier sunk a three pointer of his own with 1.6 seconds left to make it a 31-28 game going into half time.
"I thought the guys weren't playing their best ball going into the half," Wildcats head coach Shawn Plamondon said after the game.
"Any coach will tell you when your disciplined and you stay in your offense the baskets will come, but you have to keep disciplined."
"Mike Costello's a great player, but sometimes he wants to take the team on his back and score the points. So I had to tell him to settle down, work the offense, and everyone's shots will come to then, and that's what happened," Plamondon added.
When play resumed, the Wildcats came out like gangbusters, starting off with a 10-1 run to start the third. Chippewa would try to claw their way back in the quarter, but McBeath sunk a lay-in as time expired to make the score 51-38.
The Raiders would cut the deficit down to eight points in the final quarter; however Gravelle would sink his second three-pointer of the quarter which sealed the deal for the Wildcats.
With the win the Wildcats can clinch the Senior Boys title on Monday night, in a 7:30 game at Chippewa. Despite holding the advantage in the series, Plamondon doesn't want his team to rest on their laurels going into the weekend.
"I told my guys after; 'Hey don't celebrate just yet, it's a best two out of three series," Palmondon explained.
"Chippewa's a great young team, and they showed a lot out there tonight and they have a lot of heart. We just need to play the same way we did here this afternoon, and we'll be fine on their home court Monday night."
