Posted: Jan. 26, 2010

In every rebuilding program's history, there has to be a turnaround game, a signature win so profound that it sets a new and positive direction for the team for a long time.

Only time will tell if the Shorewood boys' rally from 13 points down with 4:40 remaining to pull out a 60-55 win over Brown Deer on Friday will be such a win, but it was very significant in Greyhounds coach John Hoch's eyes.

Especially considering who he had on the floor when the rally kicked into full gear.

"Two freshmen and a sophomore," Hoch said. "… We really grew up tonight. I hope the guys can understand that when we run our things well and crash the boards and go after the loose balls that we can have some success."

And success was something that the Greyhounds (4-7 in Woodland play and 4-9 overall) were having a hard time finding through the first three quarters against the Falcons (5-6, 5-9). Brown Deer, which was led by Kierre Ogbanna (17 points) and Jamon Jackson-Wilson (13) built a 43-33 lead after three quarters and were still comfortably ahead midway through the fourth.

That's when Hoch said "something clicked."

"We were playing hard but our shots just weren't falling," he said, "but then we got going in the fourth quarter. It was some of the best defense we played all season. We just really buckled down.

On the floor for the Greyhounds at the time were freshmen Austin Malone-Mitchell and Donovan Freeman, sophomore Deion Jackson-Body and seniors Chase Miller and Erik Berg.

"There was no one, really memorable play," said Hoch said. "We were just running our stuff. … We kept emphasizing patience, don't shoot too early because the young guys tend to panic a little when they're down."

Hoch said that both Malone-Mitchell and Jackson-Body hit clutch 3-pointers in the run.

The Greyhounds were also able to get into the lane and force some fouls. They hit 21 of 27 free throws on the night compared to seven of 15 for the Falcons. Jackson-Body hit all six of his attempts.

"And it seemed like virtually everyone hit big free throws in the fourth quarter," Hoch said.

Shorewood eventually got the lead with about 1:30 remaining. Jake Schimenz hit a layup to cut the lead to two late for the Falcons, but the Greyhounds continued to hit their free throws.

Malone-Mitchell wound up with 18 points while Jackson-Body had 14, Cameron Hood 10 and Miller nine.

"With this group, we've had such a quick growing up process," Hoch said. "When the guys see that the little things can help lead to success, that's just big."

 

- Steven L. Tietz

UP NEXT

Both Shorewood and Brown Deer have big games ahead

SHOREWOOD: The Greyhounds will be at New Berlin West (9-2, 10-5) on Friday and then will host Thomas More (4-7, 6-9) on Tuesday in a pair of 7:30 p.m. contests.

BROWN DEER: The Falcons host South Milwaukee (6-5, 6-8) on Friday and then will be at St. Francis (0-11, 0-14) on Tuesday. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.