Opinion: Pioneer-Skyline deliver early present for basketball fans (See WLAA photo gallery)
The calendar said December, but it sure felt like March on Friday night at Pioneer High School. High school basketball is back and it has started off with a thunderous, momentous and memorable bang in a rivalry instant classic that went down to the wire – and beyond.
When Skyline took a 15-3 lead in the first quarter over host Pioneer, few in the packed gym believed that this game was already over. One person who certainly didn’t believe it was Skyline Coach Mike Lovelace. As Skyline’s only basketball coach, he’s been involved in every single Skyline-Pioneer game and rarely are these games decided in the first quarter.
This game, in fact, would require a “fifth” quarter.
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With 16 seconds left in overtime, Skyline’s Ben Stille threw down a monster dunk that appeared to be the exclamation point on a huge and thrilling Skyline victory. The senior took a few steps toward the sideline to celebrate with his fellow Skyline students as the guest bleachers rocked and rolled. There was a foul on the play that cancelled the dunk but the Eagles would still celebrate a 52-49 win 16 seconds later after Pioneer missed a last-second shot.
A few minutes earlier, when Nate Freisthler hit a jumper to give the Pioneers its first lead of the game early in the fourth quarter, the Pioneer student section erupted with a roar that rivaled that of the Big House next door.
It was that kind of evening – even though it’s only December.
Both teams had bleachers filled with students showing their school spirit and support. The Pioneer faithful were decked out in all black while Skyline was dressed in white – and the players provided the color on the main stage under the bright lights of SEC Red basketball with a city rivalry flavor. It was an incredible atmosphere that usually happens in March Madness when titles are on the line or first place is up for grabs. But it was pure madness in December on Friday.
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The game itself wasn’t exactly textbook. Expect both teams to be playing at a much higher level when March finally does get here. There were too many fouls, a few too many turnovers and plenty of missed shots. But it’s still very early in the season and those things will work themselves out, especially with Lovelace running the Eagles and Rich Marion running the Pioneers.
Both teams played hard – as you would expect. But they also, for the most part, made smart decisions, something that’s a good sign for both programs. Playing in a game of this intensity, this magnitude and with so much pressure also should only help prepare both teams for the long road ahead.
Skyline and Pioneer both have talented rosters, experienced seniors and good depth to make a run at an SEC Red Division title. The same can be said about the other Ann Arbor team, Huron.
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If Friday night was an appetizer, the main course should be quite the spread as these two teams will meet at the dinner table at least one more time this season. Throw in a few games with Huron and the basketball season promises to be a fun and entertaining ride for the three local teams.
It was that kind of evening on Friday night at Pioneer – even though it’s only December.
