Midland, MI (Midland High School) - The first of two basketball doubleheaders between the Midland Chemics and Dow Chargers this season saw the Midland Girls defeat Dow for the first time since December 19th, 2019, and the Chargers boys improved to 4-3 overall with a win over their rivals.
In the girls varsity matchup, Dow outscored Midland in the first and third quarters, with the Chemics taking the second and fourth.
Senior Dalton DeBoer hit two threes in the first quarter, helping Dow to a 20-19 lead. In the second quarter Midland dominated defensively and in transition with an 18-5 run. First-Years Emma McLaughlin and Kaiya Mahabir combined for 22 first-half points.
In the third quarter, the Chargers were +10, converting a couple of threes and trailing by two entering the final frame. Midland's inside presence proved to be too much. First-Year center Ellee Arnold had 11 second-half points and 15 overall. Arnold went 5-for-5 from the free-throw line, including a three-point play.
Dow fell by three 55-52, having the ball last but missing a three.
In the boys' battle, the first quarter was a feeling-out process, with Midland up 12-9. Chemics senior Noah Wall had five points and a three, as did Chargers sophomore Wynn Diegel.
The Chargers were up four at the half. Junior Ben VanSumeren notched seven points in the first half.
Three starts flowing more in the third quarter. Dow hitting its first two, and the Chemics on their first possession. Chargers Juniors J.D. Curtis, James Anderson, and Owen Bond each converted a second-half three-pointer.
Dow took a seven-point lead into the final quarter. They survived the Midland run, which pulled it to a one-possession game in the final two minutes. VanSumeren hit a corner three with 1:40 to go, to make it a six-point advantage, and Dow didn't look back.
Wynn Diegel would deliver, shooting 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in the final minute.
Rounding Things Out
The next Dow-Midland doubleheader is Friday January 17th at Dow High School, beginning at 5:30 pm. Both of tonight's full game archive is available here.
Up Next
Our next high school broadcast is tomorrow Friday, December 20th as the Dow Chargers and Midland Chemics hockey teams face-off at the Midland Civic Arena. Our coverage starts at 7:30 pm.