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Sports
By Patrick Browne
On Jan. 8 the Forest Park Trojans were ranked 14th best in the State of Michigan in the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s Power Rankings of Division 4. At a perfect 6 and 0, and with an average margin of victory in excess of 35 points, the Trojans were rolling over opponents and garnering a reputation as a team to beat. After defeating 9th ranked Norway on Jan. 4, the Trojans took on the Division 2 number 3 ranked team in Michigan, the Flivvers of Kingsford (10-1).
It was a much anticipated game and it did not fail to deliver.
As a Division 4 school, the Forest Park Trojans saw the game as an opportunity to demonstrate their small school could play against the best in the state. While the teams are in different divisions and will not meet in the postseason, the Flivvers saw the game as an opportunity to defend their ranking. Losing to a Division 4 school would have dealt a blow to their Division 2 ranking.
The game began with incredible intensity, was intense throughout and finished with the excitement of a playoff game. Shots were contested, steals were made and the aggressive defense of both teams made every possession important.
Forest Park put up 17 points to Kingsford’s 15 in the first frame and the Flivvers fought back by pressing the Trojan offense. The Trojans were stymied by a collapsing Flivver defense which held Forest Park’s lead scorer, Kevin Giuliani, to limited opportunities for quality shots and challenged the Trojans to beat them from the outside.
As the tenacious Flivver defenders continued to put bodies in the vicinity of Giuliani every time he received the ball and mysteriously did so out of the view of the referees, tempers became heated. The aggressive play continued unchallenged, however, until the fiercely loyal Forest Park Coach, Jason Price, brought the transgressions to the attention of the referees in the second quarter and play was stopped to address the concerns.
With both teams putting up 12 in the second, the Trojans went into halftime with a 29 to 27 lead.
As the third quarter got underway the Trojans had difficulty scoring. The Flivver defense continued to harass and the Trojans committed costly turnovers which led them to being outscored 15 to 6. Without the usual scoring underneath, the team had to rely on the outside shooting of a cadre of players who were able to keep the score close, but were inconsistent.
With the fourth quarter opening with a score of 42 to 35, it appeared the Trojans would go down without a fight. However, as the final minutes ticked off the clock, freshman Vic Giuliani and senior Gaven Rintala put forth an impressive display in an attempt to turn the tide. Giuliani, known for his refusal to lose, drove the lane multiple times and scored despite being double teamed. With every Trojan basket however, the Flivvers countered, and the one crucial shot which would put the Trojans ahead and keep the undefeated season intact did not materialize. Kingsford sank their free throws under pressure and the clock ticked to zero as the Trojans lost their first game 57-52.
Forest Park was led by Vic Giuliani who put up 10 points and Gaven Rintala who contributed nine in the effort. Kevin Giuliani put up six and pulled down 10 rebounds. Once again the game was a team effort as nine different players scored for the Trojans.
“It was a battle. We did a lot of good things, but just came up short,” stated Trojan Coach Jason Price.