Hang time

Lever shoots and dishes Chiefs to 62-48 victory over Livonia Churchill

Feb. 3, 2010, 5:30 p.m.

  They may want to renamed the paint area on the Canton basketball court "Lever Lane" following junior point guard Dietrich Lever's incredible performance Tuesday night.

  Lever tormented visiting Livonia Churchill with 25 points and 11 assists in the Chiefs' 62-48 victory.

  "It was probably the best all-around game of his career," said Canton coach Jimmy Reddy. "He did a great job leading the team. It didn't matter if we were in a half-court set or in transition, he's get in the lane and either score at the rim or create scoring opportunities for his teammates."

  With its seventh-straight win, Canton improved to 9-4 overall and 6-1 in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association's South Division. The Chiefs lead Wayne Memorial by one game heading into Friday's 7:30 p.m. home game against Plymouth.

  The Chargers slipped to 7-5 and 3-4, respectively.

  Canton surged to a 29-14 halftime lead before Churchill stormed back with a 22-point third quarter. At one point in the third, the Chargers narrowed their deficit to 38-35.

  The beneficiaries of many of Lever's passes were Paul Baumgart (12 points, three rebounds and two clocked shots) and Kevin Weisz, who scored 12 points and grabbed three rebounds.

  Adam Bedell led Churchill with 13 points. D'juan Cooks added 12.

  Lever put on a clinic at the free throw line, draining 11 of 14 freebies.