Bobcats thrash Colts

By Mike Selecky
Posted Thursday, October 2, 2008

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By Michael Selecky
VIEW Sports Writer

GRAND BLANC — If your power went out last week, the Grand Blanc water polo team might be to blame, as they lit up their pool, as well as their opponents, when Troy came to town last Thursday, with the Bobcats wining, 11-10.

“This was our second district game, and it was a very big win for us. Troy had beaten us by two goals earlier in the season. This was a very exciting game. Every parent and spectator in the stands was on their feet the entire fourth quarter,” said coach Dan Command.

For the offense, Brett Dryer earned top honors by notching himself a hat trick, followed by Aaron Ducharme, who played his way into two goals, and Victor George, Mike Hicks, Tim Sippell and Luke Ford each scored once. Dryer also scored the game-winning goal with less than a minute remaining.

“The six-senior core of Dryer, Ducharme, Hicks, George, Sippell and goalie Kristo Herzog are stepping up huge, along with a strong performance lately from junior Luke Ford,” Command said. “Another great game.”

Tuesday Grand Blanc hosted Groves, losing, 11-8, in its final regular home game.

Coming away with a hat trick was Hicks, George scored twice and Dryer, Sippell and Lambert had one goal apiece.
On Sept. 23 Grand Blanc hosted Birmingham Seaholm, winning, 7-4.

“We played one of the best games I’ve seen Grand Blanc water polo play in a long time,” said coach Dan Command. “Earlier in the season the varsity lost by three goals to this same Seaholm team, so this is an extreme turn-around for us.”

Sippell helped set the offensive pace for the Bobcats by notching five goals, George and Hicks both found the back of the net twice and coming in with one goal each was Dryer and Ducharme.

“This was the first game of the season that meant something because it was our first district game, which counts towards our seeding at the district tournament,” Command said.

On Sept. 18 Grand Blanc traveled to Walled Lake, barely coming away with a 12-11 OT victory.

“With four seconds left in the game, Victor George took a shot and a player from Walled Lake blocked the shot with two hands. In water polo you can only block a shot with one hand. A two-handed block results in a penalty shot,” said Command. “Captain Brett Dryer took the penalty shot and hit the top right corner.”

Offensively, the Bobcats were led by George, Dryer, Hicks and Sippell with three goals each.

Grand Blanc is 4-2, 1-0. They play today against Troy and Tuesday is a rematch with Groves.