Wolverine boys defense shuts down the Parma Panthers in the second half

by Michelle Estes

 The Weiser Wolverine boys hosted the Parma Panthers on Tuesday, Jan. 18 in a conference game. Weiser came into the game with a conference record of 0 wins and 2 loses. Parma had 1 win and 1 loss.

 The two teams were fairly evenly matched in the first half of the game. Weiser jumped out to the early lead, with Malakye Scott putting up the first seven points for Weiser. First with a steal and bucket, then with a base line in-bounds play and assist from Michael Youngberg, and two more points coming on assist from Willy Shirts to Scott in the key. 

 Parma got hot hitting multiple short jumpers and couple of 3 pointers. 

 The quarter finished with Parma up by 4 points. Weiser 9, Parma 14. 

 The second quarter started a little slower for the Wolverines. After almost 2 minutes off the clock, Willy Shirts playing smart, quickly punched the ball up court on a loose rebound. Shirts sprinted up court, secured the ball, and made the lay-in for Weiser’s first points of the second quarter. 

 Parma on a scoring streak was able to double their lead with 5 minutes still to play in the quarter. With some Weiser defensive adjustments, they were able to slow Parma down. 

 Weiser’s Brett Spencer snagged a rebound put back for 2 points and added two more with free throws. Brayden Walker with a rebound and bucket brought Weiser within 6 points. 

 The quarter ended fairly even. Weiser added 11 points while Parma put up 12. Going into the locker room it was Weiser 20, Parma 26.

 The Wolverines came out of the locker room with an intensity that they haven’t shown for some time. Playing man to man defense, Weiser shut the Panthers down not allowing them to score in the third quarter while Weiser added 8 points. 

 The first of Weiser’s 8 points came on a pass from Malakye Scott to Willy Shirts in the key for a turnaround jumper. Evan Haggerty received a good pass from Brayden Walker as Haggerty cut through the key to tie the game at 26 all. 

 With about half of the third quarter remaining, Weiser’s Brett Spencer drove in for 2 points. Neither team would score again for the final 4 minutes of the third period. 

 The quarter ended Weiser 28, Parma 26. 

 In the fourth, the Wolverines quickly added a 3 pointer from Michael Youngberg in the corner. 

 Weiser settled into their offense working the ball around looking for quality scoring opportunities. The Wolverines continued to score. With just over 2 minutes into the fourth it was Weiser 39, Parma 26. 

 In the last 2 minutes of the game, Malakye Scott added 6 points. Working in the offense the Wolverines moved the ball well, delivering it to an open Scott on the block for multiple easy buckets. 

 With a second left in the game Weiser’s Levi Estes, at the free throw line, hit Brock Spencer as he cut to the basket for a lay-in. The night ended in a Weiser win, Weiser 51, Parma 30. 

 The Wolverines were led by Malakye Scott with 18 points. Brett Spencer close behind with 14 points. Evan Haggerty contributed 6, Willy Shirts 4, Brayden Walker 4, Michael Youngberg 3, and Brock Spencer with 2.