By Dan Hardenbrook
Slowed by Mother Nature, the Newberry boys varsity basketball team got back on the court last weekend, starting a brutal stretch that has them travelling from end to end across the Upper Peninsula and playing almost every day of the week.
Winning certainly helps make the grind a little bit easier, and after back-to-back impressive performances. The Indians topped Maplewood Baptist at home on Saturday, then defeated Big Bay de Noc on the road on Monday.
After having their EUP Conference game against Pickford snowed out last week, the Indians took a couple of extra days to rest before hitting a stretch with four games in five days. Coach Nate Moulton knows the early season is pivotal for his team, while learning to play team basketball with contributions from everyone.
After their last two games, the Indians are doing more than that: they’re thriving.
The gauntlet started on Saturday when Newberry hosted Maplewood Baptist at home. Maplewood leaned on guards Carver Day and Caden Chromy at first, with a two-man attack that knocked the Indians on their heels.
Newberry’s tough team defense and spread, high-energy attack from the entire team lifted Newberry. They soon frustrated Maplewood Baptist, and it showed.
Trailing by 10 midway through the fourth quarter, the tide turned in the Indians favor after the Black Bears were called for not one but two technical fouls. The double technicals came after Chromy attempted to take a charge under the Newberry basket. Officials didn’t call a foul either way, allowing play to continue.
Upset with the no call, Chromy laid on his back while smacking the floor and shouting at the ref in disgust. Once the whistle blew and the technical was assessed, Maplewood Head Coach Greg Chromy came over to the officials at the scorer’s table in protest, earning a second technical.
These calls cost both father and son, and the team: It was Caden’s fifth personal foul, ending his night, while dad/coach had his coaching box privileges revoked as well.
Kegan Martin made three of the four free throws on the technicals, and once they got the ball back after the extra shots, Newberry quickly converted. The sequence sparked an 11-0 run overall as the Indians surged from behind in the late moments of the game to take their first win, 51-48.
There was much less drama on Monday when the Indians travelled to Big Bay. Motivated by their win, the Indians came out fired up and focused, and what ensued was some of the best team basketball the Indians boys have played in years.
Every player got in on the action. Offensively, all five players on the floor were getting touches and creating open opportunities for each other. They were patient and poised, picking the perfect time to attack. The Indians led by as much as 23 points in the 55-36 win.
Just as impressive as their offensive approach was the stifling team defense. Newberry jumped several passing lanes, applied a stifling trap pressure defense, and hit the glass dominating the rebounding margin. Big Bay had no answers. Eight players scored, led by Martin and Craig Whalen’s 13 points each. Logan Thiele added eight for Newberry, and Oliver Navarro (7) and Xander Stilson (6) had career nights while also making several big plays on defense. Ethan Pavey and Cadin Hamilton both pitched in on offense and dominated the paint on defense. Sebastian Patterson also had a bucket for Newberry.
The Indians kept the tough stretch going by hosting a game Tuesday, then playing for the third straight day—and fourth time in five days—at Stephenson tonight.
