ICL Fourth-quarter flourish buoys Bluejays
Western Reserve turned the ball over on its final two possessions in the 74-68 loss.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
NORTH JACKSON -- The Jackson-Milton High basketball team would not allow its home gymnasium to be the setting of Western Reserve's first victory.
Turning up the intensity in the second half, the Bluejays rallied from an eight-point deficit and defeated Western Reserve 74-68 Friday in the Inter-County League.
"We haven't had the composure down the stretch, and that comes from not winning," said Western Reserve coach Steve Miller, whose team lost its fifth straight game and second in the ICL.
"We need to taste some success and get some confidence before we're going to win one of these games."
The meeting between two ICL rivals didn't disappoint. The teams combined for 14 3-pointers that helped create seven ties and 13 lead changes in the second half.
"We competed against each other all spring and all summer, so we knew it was going to be a close one and a tough one," Jackson-Milton coach Steve Sachire said.
Grabbing the lead: Sophomore Zack Nicholas put Jackson-Milton (3-2, 1-1) ahead to stay when he cut through the lane, took a pass from senior Dan Hallas and completed a layup with 55 seconds remaining to break a 68-68 tie.
"I came off the screen hard and took it to the hole," Nicholas said. "I looked right in [Hallas'] eyes. I knew he was going to pass it."
Nicholas, who had 11 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter, scored the Bluejays' final six points, including the final four from the free throw line.
"We were just riding on big shots," Nicholas said.
After falling behind 70-68 on Nicholas' basket, Western Reserve had one final chance to tie.
Blue Devils junior Kyle Trimble forced a steal, drove to the basket but, hounded by Jackson-Milton defenders, was not able to get a shot off. Western Reserve then turned the ball over on its final two possessions.
Leading nearly the entire first half, Western Reserve built its lead to eight points on a Robbie James' 3-pointer with two minutes before halftime.
The game turned, however, in the opening stages of the second half, when Jackson-Milton ignited a 10-2 run, which led to a 36-35 lead, by forcing the Blue Devils into four quick turnovers and nine for the quarter.
"That's what we've been relying on -- pressure and causing turnovers," Sachire said.
Lacked intensity: Miller said, "We came out too relaxed in the second half. [Jackson-Milton] played in a state where they were a lot more aggressive."
After Jackson-Milton rallied early in the second half, the shooting display began, with several players from each team coming up with big shots.
"Cause of the rivalry, the kids were a little bit nervous and the ball wasn't falling [in the first half]," Sachire said. "Once we settled down and made a few adjustments, the kids came out and played their game."
Jackson-Milton sophomore Tim Shaw scored 16 points, while senior Matt Kiraly had nine of his 15 in the third quarter.
"I told [Kiraly] at halftime that our senior leadership has to come through and he has to hit some shots," Sachire said. "He did in the second half."
Juniors Ryan Jones and Jeremy Shevel each scored 18 points for Western Reserve, while James added 15 and senior Greg Speece 10.
richesson@vindy.com