DICKINSON — Dickinson fired on all cylinders against a tough Jamestown team Friday night, but lost focus in the second half. The Midgets regained their energy late in the game, thanks to head coach Dan Glasser's defense chants echoed from the home crowd.
"Before the game, my dad told us to get the sweep because the sophomore and JV teams both won," Damon Glasser says. "We were motivated and although we struggled in the second half, I'm glad we pulled it off."
Regular time ended in a tie at 66, and after the first overtime period, it remained tied at 76. In double overtime, Damon Glasser secured the lead with a three-pointer, ending the game with a score of 86-80.
The Midgets executed superb boxing out, holding Jamestown to just 19 points in the first half. As a team, they recorded an impressive 42 rebounds, collecting 26 defensive boards—eight less than the Blue Jays' total of 34. The Midgets controlled the tempo from the start, scoring 36 points from inside the paint and 26 points off turnovers.
"Defensively, in the first half, we stuck to our assignments, working on the things we needed to improve," says DHS head coach Dan Glasser. "We took away their shooters, stopped their penetration, and limited them to one shot per possession by boxing out. If we can do that consistently, we will be a dangerous team."
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Despite ending the first half with a 33-19 lead, the Midgets relaxed too much and let the Blue Jays surge back, scoring 44 points in the second half. Jamestown outshot Dickinson in field goal percentage (46.2% compared to 37.1%), three-point range (46.2% to 19.2%), and free-throw line (77.8% to 69.4%).
However, the home crowd's defense chants rejuvenated DHS' defense. The Midgets held the lead for the final minutes of the game, thanks to Damon Glasser's game-winning three-pointer, 12 rebounds, two deflections, and two blocks. He also held one of the Blue Jays' top shooters, Dalton Lamp, to just 10 points, all of which were scored after the first half.
Alex Dvorak, DHS' lead scorer with 44 points, said that he knew it was going to be a fight, but ultimately they were going to “put them away” when he heard the chorus of fans come alive.
"I heard the crowd chanting and it lit a fire inside of me," Dvorak said. "I trusted my teammates and they trusted me. We made some big plays down the stretch, took care of the ball, and got the win."
The Trust Project
