Zae Davis leads Biggersville past H.W. Byers, Lions repeat as Class 1A Champs
JACKSON — Long-time Biggersville coach Cliff Little said after Thursday's 1A Boys Championship that the 2022 Lions are the best team he's ever had.
After watching Biggersville beat H.W. Byers 45-37 to repeat as MHSAA Champions, it would be hard to argue with him.
The Lions (29-2) clinched the program's fifth state title did it behind a stingy defense, strong fourth quarter and the steady play of star guard Zae Davis.
“These seniors — in over the course of four years — I believe they lost 11 games. They coached themselves and I’m very blessed to have them,” Little said. “It’s bittersweet. What a better way to let them go and for them end their careers at Biggersville than another state championship.”
It wasn’t the prettiest game offensively for both teams. Byers shot 15-of-39 from the field (38 percent) and 1-for-7 from three-point range.
“We’ve been a defensive-minded team all season. That’s what we build our identity around and we’ve hung our hat on all season long,” Little said. “We didn’t have the best night offensively, but defense gave us an opportunity with defensive rebounds and taking some big charges.”
Biggersville shot 16-of-40 from the field (40 percent) and 1-for-5 from three-point range.
Biggersville never trailed.
The Lions held a slim 7-4 lead at the end of the first quarter, but opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 14-4.
Midway through the second quarter, Biggersville went on a 7-2 run to go up 21-8. The Lions went into halftime up 23-14.
In third quarter, Byers woke up and out-scored Biggersville 7-3 to cut the lead down to five points at 26-21.
The momentum was short-lived. Biggersville opened the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run to extend their lead to 34-23.
Late in the game, Byers cut into the Biggersville lead down to four points on two different occasions, but both times, Biggersville had an answer.
His name was Zae Davis.
“Zae is the ultimate closer. Is our man and he controlled the game,” Little said.
Davis scored six of Biggersville’s final eight points. He finished with a game-high 19 points on 7-of-16 shooting and was named the game’s most valuable player.
“It was amazing. We knew what to expect because we’ve been here before,” Davis said. “We watched film on them and came prepared. This is best team and group of guys I’ve been a part of.”
Cedric Watson had 17 points to lead H.W. Byers, while Michael James added eight points for the Lions (22-5).
“My guards didn’t show up that normally make shots,” said Byers coach James Sales. “We just didn’t shoot the ball well and that obviously was the difference.”
(All photos by Austin Frayser)
