Warren Mott vs. De La Salle

Fraser- Warren Mott pushed DeLaSalle to limit in the opening night of districts.  However the Pilots were able to force overtime and steal a 63-58 win over the upset minded Marauders.

Mott jumped out to an early lead as a CJ Olaniyan basket made the score 8-2.  The Pilots were able to fight back by patiently swinging the ball around to find the open looks against Mott’s 2-3 zone.  A 3-pointer from Jim Novak gave DeLaSalle a 20-15 lead.

DeLaSalle stretched their lead to 22-17 at the end of the first quarter and 32-26 at the half.

Mott was able to speed the game up to their likings in the second half and retook the lead.  Mott controlled a 55-51 lead with less than a minute in regulation but the Marauders were unable to close out DeLaSalle.  After missing four straight free throws the Pilots hit the big shot to force overtime.

Overtime was all DeLaSalle.

Against a team as well coached and disciplined like DeLaSalle you got to hit shots down the stretch, especially at the charity stripe.  Mott left the door open and DeLaSalle took advantage.

Mott is a young team and will bounce back strong next year.  They will have some voids to fill as they loose 6-5 Olaniyan and 6-7 Joseph Asbury, but they return 2012 guards Tommie Bell and Victor Sharpe.  Both had strong games against the Pilots and are D-1 prospects.

Sterling Johnson and Bryant Mitzner led DeLaSalle with 15 a piece.  Novak chipped in 14 points.