Mustangs Survive Scare from Parkway North

Having endured a 4-22 campaign a season ago, the Vikings of Parkway North entered this season ready to play a sizable group of young players in hopes of getting their program back on the right track.  Those youngsters recently won their fifth game of the 2006-2007 campaign, took #1-ranked (Post-Dispatch) McCluer North to the limit after leading by eight at the half and won the third-place trophy at the Chaminade Christmas Tournament.  On this evening, they looked to upset the 7-3 Mustangs at the Marquette Athletic Complex but came up just short as MHS held on for a 45-42 nail-biter.

The opening minutes of the game were strong for the home-standing Mustangs.  Karlos Washington led off the proceedings with a long three-pointer from the left baseline.  Moments later, Will Carpenter took the ball strong to the hoop to give his team a 5-2 lead.  Chad Haley followed up with a three to extend the margin to 8-4.  Looking to extend the margin and establish themselves, the telling possession happened on the eighth trip down the floor for MHS.  Two offensive rebounds by Rosburg resulted in close misses by Andy and Will Carpenter after a missed three-pointer by Haley.  With three golden opportunities gone by the way-side, North made a statement by answering with an easy drive to the hole and the see-saw contest was on.  Haley was able to convert again with about a minute to play to end the scoring for both teams and leave Marquette on top 14-11 after a period.

The start of the second quarter was inauspicious to say the least for the Mustangs.  After two missed three-pointers, junior Will Jones was able to grab an offensive board and lay it back in.  However, the offense then went silent for Marquette.  The next five possessions featured two missed shots and two turnovers sandwiched around two Eric Phillips free throws.  With North now leading 19-18 with just over two-and-a-half minutes in the half, MHS righted the ship.  Good ball movement resulted in another driving jumper from Carpenter.  Karlos Washington answered Will's shot with a similar one.  Finally, after an Andy Rosburg offensive board and put-back, the 6-6 junior was fouled at the conclusion of the half and converted one of two free throws to give his team a 25-19 half-time lead.

Two early buckets by Rosburg to start the beginning of the second half were all well and good for Marquette, but the Vikings went on an offensive spree.  On consecutive three-pointers by shooters who had not converted from long-distance all season, North was on a roll taking the lead about two-thirds of the way through the quarter.  Uncharacteristically, the Mustang ballhandlers became lax.  A team which had committed double-digit turnover totals only once previously on the season came up empty shot-wise five times in the third period alone.  A late jumper by senior Tom Ahlborn brought the Mustangs back to within one at 34-33 heading into the fourth. 

Opening the fourth for Marquette, Rosburg converted after a slick pass off the baseline from Ahlborn.  Eric Phillips answered that shot with a 15-footer of his own and the lead for MHS had extended to 37-34.  The middle part of the quarter was a struggle for both teams as neither could muster enough offense to take control of the game.  Trailing by one with just over 3:00 to play, Washington buried a long three-pointer from the head of the key.  Less than a minute later, Haley duplicated Karlos' feat from nearly the same spot.  Now up four and in a position to close the game out, the ballhandling yips again bit the Mustangs.  Consecutive turnovers gave the Vikings a bucket and a one-for-two trip to the free throw line.  Leading by only a point with under 30 seconds to play, Washington was fouled in the backcourt and sent to the free throw line.  Karlos' try bounded high off the front of the rim.  Will Carpenter soared into the fray and was able to tip the ball.  When it came down it was safely in the hands of Chad Haley who was immediately fouled.  Chad was able to convert both tries and with a 45-42 lead, the Vikings made one last-gasp effort at tying the game.  A desperation try from the left wing found iron but not net and Marquette moved on to their eighth win of the season over a much-improved Parkway North squad.

The Mustangs next up make the long trek to the Capital City to face the Jefferson City Jays in a 7pm contest Friday night, January 5. 

Leading Scorers:  Karlos Washington-12, Andy Rosburg-11, Chad Haley-10.  Leading Rebounders:  Rosburg-10, Tom Ahlborn-4, Haley-3.  Leading Assists:  Washington-3, Ahlborn-2.  HARD HAT AWARD WINNER:  Andy Rosburg. 

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Posted by: marquettemustangs

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