Game of the week:

By Jon Malavolti
C & G Sports Writer

Photo by Andrew Potter Center Line High junior Devin Salyers-Bishop blocks a shot attempt by a Madison Heights Lamphere player during a game earlier this season. The Panthers will host division rival Warren Woods Tower at 7 p.m. Feb. 5 in a key MAC Silver clash.

Center Line High’s boys basketball team hosts division rival Warren Woods Tower, 7 p.m. Feb. 5

Bragging rights, pay back and possibly a division title will be on the line when Center Line High’s boys basketball team hosts Warren Woods Tower at 7 p.m. Feb. 5.

The Panthers and the Titans were tied atop the Macomb Area Conference Silver Division standings at press time with identical 6-1 league records.

The first time the two teams met, the Panthers pulled off a Jan. 6 win on the road, topping the Titans 68-57.

Center Line coach Jim Nelson knows how big that win was, but hopes his team isn’t overconfident when the Titans step into the Panthers’ gym for their second division meeting.

“It’s huge,” Nelson said. “It was nice to get that win on the road. Those road games are already tough, especially there, because we’ve become such rivals in the division.”

The Panthers’ division loss came recently at the hands of Madison Heights Lamphere, an experience Nelson believes has humbled his team.

“We’ve been trying to take it as game by game,” he said. “We slipped up and lost to Lamphere … and I think, hopefully, we’ve learned a lesson.”

Nelson will look to seniors Donovan Sesi and Derrick Popov to lead the Panthers against the Titans; Sesi scored 26 points the first time the teams met.

“He had a big game,” Nelson said. “Our offense clicked pretty well. Our guards handled their pressure pretty well; we didn’t have many turnovers. For us, that’s what’s key.

“Turnovers and free throws will determine who wins that game.”

Tower, meanwhile, has shored up its defense and is hoping to take over the “road-team-spoiler” role in the series.

“We’re looking forward to the game,” Titans coach Steve Zdankiewicz said. “We’re both sitting at the top of division right now. It should be a good game. It’s a rivalry game for us. Those games are always fun, especially when both teams are at the top of the league.

“Last time we played them, I think we had kind of a misconception of who we were,” Zdankiewicz continued. “Early in the year, we were scoring a lot of points, but giving up a lot, too.”

Tower will turn to seniors Darnell Canady and Andrew Kawam against the Panthers. Canady is averaging nearly 22 points and eight assists.

“He’s kind of our offensive force,” Zdankiewicz said of Canady. “When he’s in a groove and pushing the ball, then we tend to play pretty well offensively.”

The coach called the defensive-oriented Kawam the “heart of our team” and “emotional leader,” as he often draws the assignment of guarding opposing squads’ top guard.

“He plays extremely hard,” Zdankiewicz said.

Regardless of the result, both teams know they’ll be in for a tough time to stay near the top of the division as they round out their schedules after their impressive starts.

“Every game you’re going to get other team’s best shot, because you’re in first place and everyone wants to beat the team on top,” Zdankiewicz said. “It’s important to make sure the kids understand that every day is important.

“That’s the hard part, but that’s what you want — to be in that position.”

In other local action:

Warren Fitzgerald’s girls basketball team hosts Warren Lincoln at 7 p.m., Feb. 10.

Warren Cousino’s boys swimming team travels to Warren Mott for a 6 p.m. Feb. 12 dual meet.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jon Malavolti at jmalavolti@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1040.