Tim Cain has some work to do. The Dexter boys’ basketball coach saw the bar up close and personal on Tuesday night and the “bar” will be waiting for them in March in Districts. The Dreadnaughts have a young team that is just starting to learn not only how to compete on the varsity level but how to play together on the varsity level.
But while Cain realizes he has work to do, the good news is that he has some talent to work with. It’s just going to take some time. The time certainly wasn’t right on Tuesday as the Dreadnaughts played a team this is more experienced, more talented and much further along in the process.
The Skyline boys’ basketball team used a lethal combination of three-pointers, strong rebounding and aggressive defense to knock off visiting Dexter 58-36 Tuesday night in an SEC crossover game. The Eagles return a solid group of players from last year’s team that only lost once all season – in a Regional final.
Dexter falls to 1-2 on the season with the victory coming against Tecumseh in an SEC White matchup. The Dreads closed that game out with a 22-8 run in the fourth quarter.
“We are trying to learn on the fly and sometimes it’s a struggle,” Cain said after the loss to Skyline. “But we do see flashes and that’s something postivive to build on.
“Right now we are struggling with game plan. We fail to remember a lot of things when we are playing in pressure situations. We just have to keep drilling it in them and it will come over time.”
The Dreadnaughts host Adrian on Friday and play in a Holiday Tournament in Hartland over the break with the first game against Fowlerville.
The Eagles are in Dexter’s District so the road through Districts will go through Skyline.
“We think we can play with them, just not right now,” Cain said. “They are very talented and played well against us. We have to learn to play smart.”
Dexter was led in scoring by Marco Lucchesi with nine points. Sophomore Colin Parachek had eight points and Rory Tell and seven points – all in the fourth quarter.
Ryan Wade led the Eagles with a game-high 21 points along with five assists. Kabir Bergin had 11 points and 12 rebounds and DeSean Munson had 14 points and 7 rebounds for Skyline.
The Eagles set the tone early in the game. Back-to-back baskets by Munson gave Skyline an early 11-4 lead. A jumper by Parachek cut the lead to 11-6 but Wade quickly pushed the lead to 17-6 with a triple and then a steal off the press and an easy layup.
Skyine led 17-6 after one quarter.
The Dreadnaughts started the second quarter with a triple from Parachek and then a jumper in the lane from Antwan Ficklen to make it 21-12.
After Morgan tipped in a basket for the Eagles, Ryan Trinkle nailed a three pointer for Dexter. But Wade again took over to put the Eagles in command. The senior hit a jumper and then a triple to give the hosts a 28-15 lead with 1:30 left in the second quarter.
Bergin then hit a three-pointer to push the lead to 31-15.
The Eagles led 33-15 at halftime.
The third quarter was much of the same. Munson scored inside to make it 35-15.
The Dreads got the offense going midway through the third quarter. Marco Lucchesi had a nice drive and scoop, Parachek knocked down a jumper and Andy Durand scored to make it 38-22.
But the Eagles kept matching Dexter at the other end. A Munson tip and basket inside by Bergin gave the hosts a 47-22 lead after three.
Skyline will be back in action at 6:20 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 29 in the Motor City Roundball Classic against Saginaw at Ferndale High School.
