Paw Paw beats Otsego 64-52 to get Back-to-Back Conference Titles

Paw paw wins the wolverine conference. Photo by Brady Triemstra | Team TBM

The game opened at a rapid pace, with both teams trading baskets in an up-and-down first quarter. Paw Paw’s scrappy defensive pressure helped create a slight edge, allowing them to build a six-point lead before Otsego called a timeout with 3:13 remaining. Paw Paw maintained control through the end of the quarter, leading by six, with Truman Brennan pacing all scorers with 10 points. Otsego responded early in the second quarter with a 4-0 run after Paw Paw had briefly pushed its lead to 10. Paw Paw used a timeout to slow the momentum, but Otsego continued to chip away at the deficit. With just under two minutes remaining in the half, Otsego had cut the lead to six. In the closing seconds, Leland Longcore came up with a steal and was fouled, narrowing the gap to 28-27 at halftime. At the break, Longcore led all scorers with 13 points, while Brennan had 14 for Paw Paw. Otsego briefly grabbed a one-point lead in the opening minute of the third quarter, but Paw Paw quickly answered with a three-pointer from Caden Bowen to regain control. From there, Paw Paw seized momentum and extended its lead to double digits. Bowen delivered a standout performance in the quarter, scoring 13 points to fuel the surge. Paw Paw continued to pull away in the fourth quarter, stretching the lead to as many as 23 points with 1:30 remaining. Otsego was unable to mount a late comeback, and Paw Paw secured a 64-52 victory

Chase Boff shoots a three Friday night. Photo by Brady Triemstra | Team TBM

Scoring leaders for Paw Paw: 

Truman Brennan with 22

Caden Bowen with 21

Scoring leader for Otsego:

Leeland Longcore with 27