First-place Dock holds off stiff challenge from Church Farm

WEST WHITELAND >> Dock Mennonite came into Friday night’s game at Church Farm undefeated in the Bicentennial League, with a slew of easy victories on its resume. Well, the Pioneers left Church Farm still undefeated, but it was a struggle like they haven’t seen yet this year. 

The young Griffins fought Dock tooth and nail before falling 43-37, in a close Bicentennial League tilt.

Church Farm (3-3 league, 10-3 overall) shot itself in the foot by turning the ball over 14 times, many of them unforced turnovers, and shooting just 12 of 38 from the field and one for nine from 3-point land. Still, the Griffins had a chance to win in the closing minutes before the Pioneers (8-0, 12-3) hit some late free throws to keep their league record unblemished.

“We missed some shots we usually make,” said Church Farm guard Max Scott. “We battled them all night and I think the next time we play them we will beat them. It was a struggle tonight and the unforced turnovers killed us. But, we will learn from this and get back to practice on Monday and get things going. We may have lost a little battle but we may win the big one when we see them later in the season.”

Dock held a 33-30 lead after three quarters on the strength on Ralph St. Fleur’s six third-period points. After a cold shooting first half, the Pioneers shot six for 10 from the field in the third quarter to keep the Griffins at bay. But Church Farm hung in there and forced Dock to struggle in the fourth quarter. When Jamal Britton scored off a turnover, it drew Church Farm within 36-32 with 4:20 to play in the final frame.

But Scott, who led the Griffins with 15 points, missed two shots in tight and Dock came down the floor with the ball and 2:18 to play. Steve Martin missed a short jumper and the Griffins came down the floor and turned the ball over.

Dock then pulled the ball out to kill the clock and Jackson Scialanca hit two free throws to make it a 38-32 game with 58 seconds to play.

“I thought we played great defense tonight,” Church Farm coach Marc Turner said. “At the beginning of the fourth we held tough for two minutes while they had the ball. The effort was outstanding.”

Jimmy McEvoy buried a three for the Griffins to make it a 38-35 Dock lead with 35 seconds to play. Steve Wilder took a long pass to score a layup for the Pioneers, but Scott came right back with a runner for the Griffins to keep the game at 40-37 with 29 seconds to play.

But, the closing seconds belonged to Dock. St. Fleur hit one free throw and Scott missed the front end of a one and one, leading to John Derstine ending things by sinking two free throws with 10 seconds to play, and Dock came away with a very hard-fought 43-37 win against a young Church Farm club.

“We are a young team and we really battled tonight,” Turner said. “We did not take care of the basketball enough and we missed a couple of bunnies in the fourth quarter but maybe we see Dock again in the district championship if the basketball gods are smiling on us. We get back at it on Monday and play Church Farm basketball and hopefully see them again.”

Dock Mennonite 43, Church Farm 37

DOCK MENNONITE (43): Bolton 1 0-0 2, Scialanca 4 2-3 11, St.Fleur 3 3-4 9, Wilder 4 1-2 9, Derstine 0 2-2 2, Tamulas 1 0-0 3, Martin 1 0-0 3, Ellis 1 2-4 4. Totals 15 10-15 43.

CHURCH FARM (37): Mahana 1 2-2 4, Scott 4 7-9 15, McEvoy 3 0-0 7, Lilley 3 1-2 7, Britton 1 2-2 4, Cooper 0 0-0 0. Totals 12 12-14 37.

Dock Mennonite 9 10 14 10 – 43
Church Farm 8 9 13 7 – 37

3-point goals: Scilicanina, Tamulas, Martin, McEvoy.