Hartland's Poches Scores 40 in Playoff Win Over Howell

WHITE LAKE — Hartland's standout guard Matt Poches hadn't played in more than a month, but it didn't show as he scored a career-high 40 points in a big win over Howell to advance in the state boys basketball tournament.

The 73-60 win was the first time the Eagles bested the Highlanders this year, losing their previous two tilts. Hartland (10-11) will now play Walled Lake Central (14-6) 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lakeland High School. Central defeated Hartland by eight earlier this season.

“I can’t explain it. It’s not big to me how many I score, as long as my team wins I could care less,” said Poches, who hadn't played since a concussion he suffered during a Feb. 4 game against Milford.

“(Howell's) a rival to us. They beat us the first two games. We had to come back and punch them in the mouth, get that one win for us. It was in the districts, so it mattered. It’s a new season. We’re two wins away from being district champions. We’re gonna focus on those two games now."

Poches scored half of his points in the fourth quarter, tying for the ninth most in state history with Brad Redford of Frankenmuth who also scored 20 in 2008. (Larry Fogle of Detroit Cooley holds the record with 32 in 1972).

Bound for Oakland University's Division 1 team this fall, Poches flexed his scoring muscles, shooting 15-for-23 from the field, including a 3-pointer that were his first points of the night. He also grabbed 11 rebounds, had four steals, and shot 4-for-9 from the free-throw line.

But while Poches gave a maestro offensive performance, Eagles players and coaches also credited the win to stellar defensive play. The Highlanders (8-11) didn’t attempt a basket until 5:50 left in the first quarter and saw their first four possessions end in turnovers forced by the Eagles inside pressure. Hartland collected 12 steals by six different players.

“In high school it’s hard to beat someone three times," Hartland head coach Frank Leppek said. "Our guys finally put a game together they’ve been longing for all season. We were always battling and finally we got a cohesive unit. The seniors really wanted this. They worked real hard for this.”

Hartland went on an 11-2 run at the start of the second quarter and never looked back. Seniors Poches, Kevin Hughes, and Dan Richmond all scored for the Eagles during the run. Poches capped it all off a few minutes later when consecutively grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on the second chance opportunity. They build a 35-26 lead going into the half.

The Eagles kept the pressure on in second half, with Clay Lineberry leading the Eagles with key buckets in the third quarter to extend their lead to 15 points. Lineberry finished with 14 points.

Hartland's lead eventually forced a desperate Howell into a full-court press late in the contest. But Poches ability to run the court, Richmond's great passing ability, and Hughes speed helped Hartland ice the game. The Eagles led by as many as 21 points at various times and it was only after Hartland sent their starters to the bench with less than two minutes that Howell finally was able to score.

“Our defense was amazing. That’s what won us the game,” Poches said. “We played great as a team. We caught fire at the right time. We came out and surprised a lot of people. I know that’s how we can play. If we keep playing like that, we have a good shot.”