Deja Blue: Blackhawks fall in second round of championships

By MIKE BURRIS

Adrian’s thrilling ride through the 2010 season came to a heartbreaking conclusion Saturday in front of a packed auditorium as the Clever Blue Jays hit a late game bucket to defeat the Blackhawks 53-52. The loss was only the second of the season for the Adrian Blackhawks but ended their bid for the school’s first trip to the final four in the Class 2A championship bracket. A very successful, memorable season ended with a second straight trip to the quarter finals.

Amid the sorrow was a bittersweet personal goal achieved as senior Erik White scored his 1000th point on a three pointer in the first half of play. The game was a back and forth contest that neither team could put away for good. Clever hit the game winning shot on a jumper with seconds to play. Even at that, Adrian had the ball in their hand with a chance to pull out the victory. But, unlike in the University Academy game, luck was not on the Blackhawks side.

There was stunned silence mixed with disbelief in the loss among the crowd. Amid all the dejection was an overwhelming sense of pride in how well the team has performed this season. They ended their season with a 28 and 2 record.

Commenting on the game, Coach Wheeler said, “This was a tough loss for us. We played well for the majority of the game. We didn’t make free throws down the stretch and struggled to take care of the ball late. Some costly turnovers in the fourth quarter got us. Clever had two superb guards that carried them. I am very proud of our boys. They had a season to remember. I am proud to be their coach.”

Right: Senior Keenan Morrow shows his aggressive defensive skills by slowing down Michael Reeves of Clever.

Middle: Senior Skyler Kariker goes over Clever’s Joseph Smith and shoots for two.

Far right: Senior Erik White shoots for two over defender Joseph Smith of Clever.