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"Best three-point shooting game all year" for Petersburg Crimson Wave in victory over Meadowbrook

Zoe Collins Rath

Jan 8, 2022

The Petersburg Crimson Wave had not played in a basketball game since 2021 and missed a few days of practice due to weather, but they still came off firing on all cylinders against the Meadowbrook Monarchs in a 73-51 victory.

"It was just amazing to be back on the court," said Head Coach Ryan Massenburg after the game.

It was amazing for the players who were running around with crazy energy on the court scoring and causing turnovers. Clearly, they missed playing with one another.

The Wave started on an 8-0 run that started with Bernard Fuller and Chris Fields going to work at the basket. But what was the spark plug was a three-point shot from Tylik Lawerence.

Lawerence would make, maybe one or two free throws a game but he had a season-high of 4-8 against Meadowbrook. But the Monarchs would come close behind with their shooters coming in the clutch as a Wave defender would close to make it 9-6.

The Wave needed something to sustain the energy in the first quarter so they can put Monarch away, but Meadowbrook's shooting kept it tight. But on a fast break, it was a 2-1 transition point and senior George Wilson III stood under the basket and fell gracefully onto his back to take a charge.

"He's the fastest guy on the team... the quickest guy on the court," Massenburg said.

It was the spark the Wave needed to push on offense and defense. Petersburg held Meadowbrook to eight points in the first quarter when drives and dunks took over the Petersburg offense.

But the second quarter was difficult because they were fighting control. While players like Fields and Kaymeighn Lundy would drive for the basket they would not make their free throws. Those missed points allowed Meadowbrook to creep back into the game because their shooting was heating up.

Petersburg would miss 18 free throws on the night.

While Meadowbrook was able to score by making their shots, free throws, and layups to close the point gap, Petersburg was still on a roll. Fields, who had 18 points, could not be stopped in the paint, and even got he even generated fast-break points from steals.

Lawerence would score another three-point shot while CJ Claiborne and Lundy would continue to drive to the basket to generate points. Meadowbrook was picking up a lot of fouls and in a blink, Petersburg was in the bonus; however, free throws were not made.

"Free throws," Massenburg would groan from the sideline.

Petersburg was scoring but their defense was looking a little sloppy because they would miss defensive assignments and not box out. If a team does not box out they miss second chance shots or generate a turnover. In the second quarter, the point differential was as close as eight.

But Petersburg's offense had some life as they were able to score on fast breaks and layups. It was close in the final seconds by Lawerence got hot and scored another three. They entered into half at 40-31.

The third quarter was about regaining control and the Wave did just that. It was coast-to-coast scoring for the Wave as they distanced themselves from the Monarchs and their defense made the difference.

Claiborne would make a diving leap to keep the ball inbounds by throwing it off a player's foot after the ball ricocheted from the rim. While it did not work, the Wave would get the ball from swarming whoever had the ball. Fields did the same thing and an open shooter was able to make it 45-38.

Petersburg was playing their typical half-court press and trapping on the high-side. Skip passes are the only option and they would be tipped or caught by Wilson who would get the offense started.

Back-to-back steals from the trap created a run for the Wave as they started to pull away. Wilson was able to pick up his third steal in the quarter in the final seconds but could not lob up a shot in time.

The fourth quarter opened with Lawerence's fourth field goal. He was four for eight from the arc.

"This was the best three-point shooting game we had all year," explained Massenburg.

Lawerence's shot made it 58-45 and Petersburg held the Monarchs to only six points in the quarter. While it looked like Meadowbrook's shooting was heating up, they did not get hot.

What kept the game together was the layup after layup the Crimson Wave made on either fast breaks or just driving to the basket. Fields went on a 5-0 run to make it 69-47. A layup from Lawerence and a field goal from Fields closed out the game 73-51.

The Petersburg Crimson Wave plays Prince George on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

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