The Ile Camera
A Heritage Newspaper
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Halfway there
Devils roll past Bucs to push winning streak to eight; SMCC visits island tonight
By Scott Held, The Ile Camera
PUBLISHED: January 26, 2007
And on it goes.
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Grosse Ile is beginning to get downright predictable as it nears the end of the first half of its Huron League schedule.
Trouble is, there's not much its opponents can do to exploit that sameness.
Just as they did in their first five league games, the Devils roared out to a big early lead Tuesday.
Just as before, they used their frontcourt strength to dominate host Riverview in the post.
As usual, their perimeter defense made it hard for the Pirates to get good shots.
And, like they've now done eight straight times, the Devils rolled to victory, 52-41.
"We just did the things we've been doing," said Grosse Ile Coach Vic Bechard, whose team moved two games ahead of the Pirates with the win.
"We were able to keep them from getting open and we did a nice job on the inside."
The Devils led 14-1 with seconds to play in the first quarter but a buzzer-beating triple made it a 10-point game.
The Devils led 26-11 at the half but were outscored 17-11 in the third, breaking a streak of 20 straight quarters in which they bettered their opponents.
"That's pretty impressive," Bechard said.
Riverview got as close as five points in the second half but Grosse Ile made its free throws to secure the win.
Jeremy Heyler led the Devils (10-1, 6-0 Huron League) with 18 points and six rebounds. Frontcourt mate Lonnie Pugh added 14 points, 18 rebounds, five assists and four blocks.
Kevin Doyle scored 13 points.
Guard Pat Crowley had only five points, but Bechard had praise for him and fellow guard Dan Pachota — who returned after missing a game with an ankle injury — for their defense on the perimeter.
It was a happy homecoming last Friday as the Devils beat Huron 68-39 in their first game on the island since Dec. 28.
Grosse Ile led 16-1 after the first quarter and never looked back. Four players finished in double figures.
Crowley led the way with 13 points while Pugh and Heyler added 12 each.
Doyle chipped in 10.
"The most points we've given up in the league is 41," Bechard said after the Huron game.
"We predicate everything on our defense."
The first half of the league slate ends tonight when second-place Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central visits the island.
A win would give the Devils a commanding two-game lead over both the Falcons and Riverview heading into the second half, which will see the Devils playing five of their seven games at home.
Monroe Jefferson comes to town Tuesday.
Sports Writer David Komer contributed to this report.
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