The Macomb High boys basketball team knew the final weekend before the holidays would be a challenging one on the court.
It started Friday evening at Liberty where the Bombers faced an Eagles squad that had yet to lose this season.
But Macomb’s defensive effort, along with its three-point shooting, proved to be the difference as the Bombers notched a 52-39 victory.
Tied at 14-14 following the opening eight minutes, Macomb held Liberty one one basket in the second quarter, a three-pointer by Reed Sparrow.
Meanwhile, MHS scored 11 points, including treys by Drew Watson and Isaac Leinbach in taking a 25-17 halftime lead.
“We really wanted to make sure that we made it a halfcourt game,” said MHS coach Jeremy Anderson of the Liberty contest. “They’re really good when they get out, run and press you. They get a lot of transition threes.”
“In the halfcourt, we had to try to key on (Vince Cramsey, Reed Sparrow and Gavin Edgar) because they are really high scoring.”
The Bombers added to their lead in the third period as Nolan Hoge and Watson combined for 12 of the team’s 14 points. That allowed MHS to build a 39-27 lead heading into the final frame.
Watson topped Macomb with 20 points, including six threes.
Hoge added nine points, followed by Leinbach with seven, and Kellen Martin with six.
Nick Elbe and Carter Havens chipped in four points each, while Collin Adams also scored a basket for two points.
MHS finished with 10 three-pointers in the game, that also included two by Martin and one each by Hoge and Leinbach.
“I think being hot from three really sparked us,” said Anderson. “I think that gave us a lot of fire and a little bounce to our step on the defensive end.”
Sparrow topped Liberty (7-1) with 16 points, while Cramsey added 13 for the Eagles.
In sophomore play at Liberty Friday night, the Bombers outscored the Eagles in each quarter on the way to notching a 51-33 victory.
MHS opened up a 12-6 lead after the opening stanza on the way to enjoying a 19-11 halftime lead.
The Bombers led 35-25 entering the last eight minutes. MHS had three players reach double figures in scoring. Luke Chapla led the way with 15 points. Corey Robinson added 14 points and Carter Van Vleet 10 points.
Cameron Keene added six points, followed by Levi Helling with four and Kollin Knupp with two points.
On Saturday, the Bomber varsity headed to Abingdon to face Peoria Manual as part of the Great Western Shootout.
The Rams bolted out to an early lead and fought off the Bombers late in posting a 60-50 victory.
Macomb slipped to 7-4 on the season, while Manual improved to 6-1.
All five starters for Manual scored in the first quarter led by Reginald Postlewaite’s six points as the Rams grabbed an 18-10 lead.
“Defensively we started in zone because I was worried about their dribble penetration,” said Anderson. “(Manual) did a nice job of hitting us in the spots that we weren’t covering.”
“They’re so quick and can get past you on the dribble so well that it challenges your defense,” he added.
The Bombers picked up the scoring pace in the second period as Hoge and Havens each scored five points.
But Manual outscored Macomb 17-15 in the frame, taking a 35-25 lead into halftime.
The Bombers scored just two baskets in the third period, but used 8-of-10 shooting from the free throw line to remain in contention. MHS entered the final quarter trailing 48-39.
A three-point play by Hoge brought Macomb within 48-42 with 5:47 to go. But Tahj Tolliver scored Manual’s next four points, pushing the Rams lead back to 10 at 52-42 with 4:26 left.
“What we need to do is make sure we maximize all of our possessions,” said Anderson. “There’s too many times that we’re not taking advantage of the opportunities that we get.”
“We have a lot of unforced turnovers or we get to going a little bit too fast at times,” he added. “If we would just slow down a little bit with the ball, those games may even be closer at the end.”
Watson and Hoge topped Macomb with 19 and 17 points respectively.
Havens was next with seven points, while Elbe, Leinbach and Martin all added two points apiece.
Cooper Hobson chipped in a free throw for the Bombers. Manual had four players finish in double figures, led by Postlewaite’s 18 points.
Tolliver added 13 points, followed by Rico Booker with 11 and Jaquan Brown with 10.
The Bombers begin play in the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament on Dec. 27, facing Peoria Christian at 5:30 p.m.
