The Dexter boys’ basketball team lost their first three games of the season all in the last minute to quality teams. The three losses – to Lincoln, Brighton and Parma Western – came down to one possession.
Their tough start could have snowballed into a tough season. But instead a group of seniors have stood up and helped guide the Dreadnaughts into the win column – four games in a row.
The latest win was the most impressive win. And, of course, the most important win as Dexter knocked off rival Chelsea in a typical and close hard-fought game 52-50 Friday night in Chelsea.
“We really maintained our composure,” Dexter Coach Tim Cain said. “It was a back and forth game and they are a very good team. Both teams made runs. I thought we won it on the defensive end. We did a good job of limiting their big offensive players.”
Dexter improved to 4-3 on the season while Chelsea fell to 6-3.
The Dreadnaughts led a low-scoring first period 10-9. But the Bulldogs took a 21-17 lead into halftime. The Dreadnaughts reclaimed the lead in the third quarter and led 37-35 heading into the fourth quarter.
Dexter led by five points with 1:55 to go before Chelsea cut the deficit to 50-48 with 6 seconds left on the clock. Drew Bishop knocked down two free throws to make it a two-possession game.
The Bulldogs hit two free throws just before the final buzzer.
Bishop led the way in the scoring column, finishing with 19 points including 11 in the third quarter. The senior point guard played perhaps his best game of the season.
“He’s had only two turnovers in the last two games and that really says it all,” Cain said. “He’s handling the ball well and doing a better job of taking over instead of always looking for the pass. His assists are a little down but his scoring is up.”
Brady Rosen, another senior, finished with 11 points and was a huge factor at both ends of the floor.
“He really did a good job on their big guy and that was a key to this game,” Cain said.
Nick Fillecia helped get the Dreads off to a good start, scoring five of his seven points in the first quarter. Zach Condron, another key defensive player who had some big steals for the visitors, finished with five points.
Caden Doll and Josh Pauin each scored four for Dexter.
The Dreads have another big challenge on Tuesday when seventh-ranked Ypsilanti comes to town for an SEC White showdown.
“They never rebuild, they just reload,” Cain said. “They are just a very good basketball team and we will see if we are up to the challenge.”
Dexter plays at Pinckney on Friday.
