Poland escapes Farrell uprising

By Chuck Housteau

Marsell Holden scored 37 points and led the Steelers back from a 14-point deficit to an even game.

POLAND — The Poland High boys basketball team is tinkering a little with its fast-paced, up-tempo style of basketball.

“We’ve committed to playing a fast game of basketball, but we also promised the players that we would do anything we had to to win a ball game,” Poland coach Ken Grisdale said Tuesday after a 76-67 victory over Farrell.

Against the Steelers, the Bulldogs played a little defense.

Poland switched to a diamond-and-one zone defense down the stretch to hold off a late Farrell rally and escape with the victory.

The defense was designed to stop Farrell’s Marsell Holden who had scored 37 points and led the Steelers back from a 14-point third quarter deficit to an even game late in the fourth quarter.

The 5-10 senior guard made a driving layup over a Poland defender and the ensuing free throw after being fouled on the play to tie the contest at 65-65 with 3:12 remaining.

Holden averages nearly 30 points per game for the Steelers.

Ben Brocker drew the assignment to guard Holden the rest of the way in a defense that Poland hadn’t really practiced much at all.

Brocker did his job on defense and Ben Donlow took over offensively for the Bulldogs in the final three minutes to lead a 12-2 run that closed out the victory.

“I did what the coaches told me to do,” Donlow said. “The guys got me the ball and I was able to get to the hoop and make some shots.”

Donlow scored five points in the final minutes and had 11 of his team-high 19 points in the fourth quarter.

Niko Fatimus also hit a huge three-point basket late in the game to help deflate the Steelers.

Fatimus made five three pointers and had 17 points.

“Our kids found a way to win,” Grisdale said. “Donlow was huge. We are trying to find ways to get him the ball more in certain situations and he responded tonight.

“We expect that from him and need that from him.”

The game was fast and furious in typical Poland fashion in the first half.

The Bulldogs (3-1), who were coming of a humiliating 36-point loss to Canton Glen Oak on Saturday, subbed often, pressed relentlessly and fired up 13 three-pointers in the first half.

Farrell (1-3) countered with mainly a one-man effort in Holden who scored all of the Steelers 14 points in the second quarter.

Poland led 40-33 at the break.

The Bulldogs were hot at the start of the third quarter and opened with a 8-1 run on two big shots by Fatimus to move out to a 14-point lead at 48-34.

Farrell battled back as Holden got some help from Brandon Johnson who scored six of his 12 points in the third quarter and Robert Trudo who tallied all seven of his points in the period.

“We made a great run to get back in the game,” Farrell coach Roland Shannonhouse said. “I think we may have expended a lot of energy to get back in the game but couldn’t close.

“I’m pleased we were able to play well again on the road after a tough loss to Warren Harding on Saturday.”

Wollet tallied 14 points for Poland and David Baker had a big game with 13 points and eight rebounds as four Bulldogs scored in double figures.