Digby Regional High Mariners held off the Liverpool Warriors 70-63 in a huge league victory at home on Tuesday.
The Mariners struck first, with Will Ellis sinking one of two from the foul line, but the Warriors replied with a 9-0 charge in the first three minutes of play.
Digby settled into the game, tightening up the defence to slip ahead of the Warriors 11-9 half-way through the first quarter. Drew Sabean poured in 10 points to spark the Mariner offense and keep Digby out front as they finished the first frame 21-13.
Jacob Hoskins’ 10-point second quarter performance helped the Warriors fight their way back into the game, knotting it at 33 with two minutes left to play in the half.
Taking advantage of sloppy defence, the Warriors outscored the Mariners 24-17 but Digby held on for the slim 38-37 half-time lead.
Daniel Ford’s three-pointer and Kolby Starks’ two quick baskets gave the Mariners some breathing room in the opening minutes of the third quarter and Digby maintained the momentum to take a 57-46 lead into the final frame.
Foul trouble plagued the Mariners in the fourth quarter and the Warriors made good on six of 11 shots from the line to keep Liverpool within striking distance, but Digby kept them at bay to win by seven points.
Daniel Ford scored 19 points for the Mariners, while Kolby Stark and Drew Sabean poured in 18 points each.
Wendell Weir had a game high 22 points while Jacob Hoskins netted 18 and Chris Oxner finished with 14 for the Warriors.
The Mariners were unable to maintain their winning momentum as they fell to the Par-en-Bas Sharks 65-57 in an away league game on Wednesday. Drew Sabean was good for 25 points to lead the Mariners.
The loss puts the Mariners one point behind the Sharks having won by seven in a 69-62 match against Par-en-Bas in January.
Digby is in a tight spot in their drive to regional playoffs along with Par-en-Pas and Liverpool but a strong win against the Liverpool Warriors tonight (Feb. 10) might gain them that coveted sixth and final place.
