By SCOTT NOVAK
Niles Daily Star

Niles boys’ basketball coach got a workman-like effort from his team Friday night as it defeated visiting Mattawan 62-50 in a Big 16 Conference West Division clash.

The Vikings were unable to put the Wildcats away in the first half, but picked things up defensive in the third quarter and pulled away in the final eight minutes.

The Vikings grabbed a 16-14 advantage after the opening quarter, but found themselves down 29-28 at the intermission.

In the third quarter, Niles stepped up its defensive pressure, forced Mattawan into some miscues and eventually wore down the Wildcats.

The Vikings, winners of five straight heading into tonight’s non-league tilt with South Bend Clay, took a 42-36 lead through three quarters and then just built on it in the fourth as they shot 24 free throws and connected on 16 of them.

“I thought we did a better job of identifying the ball earlier,” Niles coach Todd Pawielski said. “We kind of let them start their offense at the top of the key instead of picking them up at half court like we need to do. I thought we did a much better job of that (in the third quarter). Once we get on the ball at half court, our half court defense gets a whole lot better.”

Niles doubled up Mattawan on the scoreboard (14-7) in the third quarter and as a result was able to get out in front of the Wildcats and stay there.

In the fourth quarter, it seemed like a parade to the free throw line for the Vikings, led by Austin Parks, who was 6-of-10 from the charity stripe.

Myles Busby connected on all four of his free throws, while David Garner, who ended up with a game-high 19 points, four assists and four steals, was 3-of-6 from the line.

“I thought we grinded out certain things,” Pawielski said of he team’s effort. I was pleased with some of the sets we ran and I thought we did a nice job on the boards.”
The veteran Niles coach went on to say that it would have been nice to put the game away a bit earlier, but he feels he has a team that is not going to blow people out.
“This is what I would call a typical game for us if we are going to continue to win ballgames,” he added.

The win raised the Vikings’ record to 8-3 overall and 3-1 in the West Division.

Mattawan dips to 1-9 on the year and 0-4 in the division.

Besides Garner’s offensive output, the Vikings also got 16 points from Parks to go along with 15 points, three steals and three blocks from Myles Busby.

John Srodulski’s 18 points led Mattawan. Thomas Huff finished with 15.

MATTAWAN 50
Zach Cornish 3 1-2 7; Trevor McElroy 0 0-0 0; John Srodulski 7 2-4 18; Thomas Huff 4 5-6 15; McIntyre Webb 0 0-0 0; Zach O’Donnell 0 0-0 0; Alex Kolenko 0 0-0 0; Corey Kirkbride 4 0-0 8; Kevin Trillett 1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 19 8-12 50
NILES 62
David Garner 6 7-10 19; Taylor Campbell 0 0-1 0; Austin Parks 4 6-10 16; Matthew McLaughlin 3 2-2 9; Riley Robson 0 0-2 0; Myles Busby 3 6-9 15; Nick Lucero 0 1-2 1; Jordan Potthoff 0 0-0 0; Quintin Irby 1 0-0 2; Mitch Peterek 0 0-0 0. TOTALS: 17 25-37 62

Mattawan 14 29 36 50
Niles 16 28 42 62
3-point baskets: Mattawan 4 (Srodulski 2, Hoff 2), Niles 3 (Parks 2, McLaughlin 1). Total fouls: Mattawan 17, Niles 10. Fouled out: None. Varsity records: Niles 8-3, 3-1; Mattawan 1-9, 0-4