#66 Paw Paw flexes muscle against #98 Vicksburg in home victory

PAW PAW - In front of a spirited crowd still recovering from a fantastic girls varsity game, the Paw Paw Red Wolves cruised to a 62-47 win over Vicksburg.

Young and small, some might overlook Paw Paw as a team, but this group is scrappy and can really shoot the three ball. They leave everything on the line and play a torturous full-court-trap press all game long.

Vicksburg had some solid moments, but they just didn’t have the firepower to upset a hungry Red Wolves squad.

Paw Paw MVP - Kaelin Tate, 6-0 So.

Tate plays with swag and confidence, something you don’t usually see out of a sophomore. He’s one of the best floor generals and ball-handlers west of Lansing, and he still has almost three seasons left of high school hoops. He scored 15 points while causing fits with his tenacious defense and patience on offense. He’s a consistent jump shot away from becoming elite.

Vicksburg MVP - Lucas Johnson, 6-2 Sr.

Johnson looked the part and delivered with a team-high 14 points before fouling out early in the fourth quarter. He drew the tough assignment of guarding Tate, and held him in check - for the most part. Johnson displayed athleticism and a nice jump shot. He should be a breakout contender this season as a physical shooting guard with solid size.

Team Analysis:

Paw Paw

Want to know the kicker? Six of Paw Paw’s eight-man rotation will be back next season. These young pups are still just scratching the surface of their immense potential as a group. You can tell right away that they have been playing together for a long time. They have a keen, almost sixth sense, about where to be and where everyone else is.

Junior shooting guard Kaden Bowen (6-3) looks like a legit college wing. He’s long, athletic, patient and a great shooter. Another two inches and some more muscle would put him in the D1-D2 college range. He shared a game-high 15 points and fought in the paint for rebounds. Aydn Roth (6-3) is another junior shooter who had the hot hand in the first half. He scored nine of his 13 points in the second quarter, draining three straight from beyond the arc. Junior guards Truman Brennan (5-11) and Eli Sonnenberg (6-0) are tough players who can hit 3-pointers and handle the ball. Despite a lack of height, this is a dangerous team ready for state-wide recognition.

Vicksburg

Led by long-time Schoolcraft and multiple state-title winning coach Randy Small, Vicksburg played a solid game. They hustled, fought a tough team and made some nice plays. Star point guard Mitchell Beyer (5-11) couldn’t get anything going against Paw Paw’s press, but he’s the perfect player for a Small-led team.

Johnson and center Anthony Marchese (6-4) - 12 points - stepped up with big plays. Forward Jordan Diekman added 10 points and showcased versatility and athleticism. Vicksburg should win a lot of games this season. The Bulldogs’ struggles on the night spoke more about Paw Paw’s elite potential than any real flaw in their own game.