Tigers open many eyes as underdog; Kozik, Fowler dominate.

Byline: Rich Garven

WORCESTER - By definition it wasn't an upset, but the Maynard boys' basketball team caught just about everyone off guard with their opening performance at the 69th Clark Tournament.

Despite their status as the Small School's No. 2 seed, the Tigers were generally accorded the role of underdog as they took on that esteemed Clark institution known as Sutton High. The Sammies were seeded seventh, but had won 12 of their last 14 games while on their way to capturing the Dual Valley Conference title and earning a Clark invite for the 19th consecutive year.

"We felt like we were playing the second best team in the tournament," Maynard coach Paul Howes, ranking West Boylston and Sutton 1-2 in that order. "But what we talked about at the end of practice (Saturday) was we're the 2 and we were wearing the white jerseys."

The Tigers made themselves right at home yesterday, turning in an impressive, wire-to-wire performance while literally running away with a 71-57 victory at the Kneller Athletic Center.

"I don't think many people thought we'd pull this off," senior captain Kevin Kozik said. "West Boylston beat us twice and they're our league (Mid-Wach D) champs. I think that kind of put a shadow over us even though we're the No. 2 seed."

Next up for Maynard (13-5) is No. 3 Lunenburg at 6 p.m. tomorrow in the semifinals. The two met last week with the Tigers rallying in the fourth quarter for a 52-48 victory behind Kozik's 34 points.

Kozik shredded Sutton (13-6) for a game-high 28 on 12-of-21 shooting. The 6-foot-6 center displayed the whole package, deftly dropping in jump-hooks and up-and-under layups and even stepping out to make 2 of 4 from beyond the arc.

"He's just a tremendous player," said Howes, who coached Maynard up until the mid-1990s before returning last season. "He's so versatile and can post up with either hand. What he does running the floor and what Mike does getting him the ball is impressive."

Mike would be sophomore point guard Mike Fowler. And it was Fowler who had the Clark Tournament old-timers smiling afterward with his sharp decision-making and ability to penetrate at will, whether he was leading a fast break or overseeing a half-court set.

Fowler is playing his first season of varsity basketball, but displayed the poise of a collegian while piling up 21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 8 steals. As a team, the Tigers shot a sizzling 52 percent.

"That was one of the strongest Small School performances I can remember," Sutton coach James Donnelly said. "He handled our press and made us look slow. It was unbelievable."

The most impressive stat, though? How about two turnovers in 30 minutes, one of the giveaways coming on the game's opening possession.

"This was my first real postseason test," said Fowler, a three-sport standout who also excels at soccer and baseball. "I've never played in a tournament like this. Early on I had a turnover and it was nerve-racking. Then you realize the floor doesn't change, it's all the same."

The Tigers led by as many as 14 in the second half before the Sammies made the requisite run. They cut it to 52-47 when senior Raheem Lewis scored two of his team-high 21 points when he picked up a loose ball and laid it in with 7:23 to go.

Lewis then came up with a steal, drove inside and kicked it out to a wide-open Stefan Forsberg, who was off the mark on a 3-point attempt. All told, Sutton was 8 for 23 on the long balls.

Maynard, following a timeout, ran its offense to perfection, setting up junior Jon Chow (9 points) for a clean-look 3. He swished it, sparking a game-clinching, 9-0 run that included a tip-in by Peter Frank and fast-break buckets by Kozik and Frank.

"We cut it to five and then they just jammed it down our throats," Donnelly said.

And with that, previously overlooked Maynard opened quite a few eyes.

NAME: MAYNARD HIGH SCHOOL; SUTTON HIGH SCHOOL

ART: PHOTOS

CUTLINE: (1) Maynard's Mike Fowler drives past Sutton's Stefan Forsberg for a layup. (2) Sutton's Raheem Lewis tries to drive between Maynard's Jon Chow and Kevin Eglitis during the Tigers' 71-57 win.

PHOTOG: T&G Staff Photos/CHRISTINE PETERSON