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Looks like the coach got the job done.

West ran to a double-digit first half lead against Brandon on Monday night, and held off a late Blackhawk rally to claim an important 62-56 Flint Metro League win on their home floor.

A win, which according to Roberts, is his team's biggest one of the year.

"After Friday's loss, this game became more important than that one," Roberts said. "We can not afford to fall another game back in the standings.

"I didn't like coming back on Monday, especially after a few lethargic practices over the weekend, but fortunately, it worked out for us."

Everything was working early on for West (7-3, 5-2 FML), as the Panthers hot shooting gave Roberts and his team a 13-point lead by the half.

"Our team work made that possible," Roberts said. "That been a problem for us all season, but tonight, we were passing well and working well together as a team in the transition game and that forced Brandon out of their zone defense.

"And of course, it's always nice when Chris (Hutton) shoots like that."

Hutton, West's 6-1 senior guard, was hitting from all over the floor in the first half. Hutton connected on three deep three-pointers before half and scored 13 first-half points. Hutton ended with a game high 27.

West held onto an 11-10 lead after the first before exploding for 19 points in the second, while the defense held the Blackhawks to just seven points in the second frame.

Hutton tallied nine points in the second, helping his team to the 13-point halftime lead.

Hutton continued with the hot hand after the half. The senior poured in 11 points in the third and kept his team ahead, as the Panthers staked their claim to a 46-32 lead after the completion of the third.

"For three quarters, we played real good basketball," Roberts said. "It's not as if we played poorly in the fourth. It's just that Brandon started making shots from all over the court.

"I'm glad they didn't shoot like that the whole game."

Brandon's Dustin Deshais, who tied Hutton for game high scoring honors with 27, connected for 14 points in the fourth, and nearly helped his team pull of the come-from-behind victory.

"That definitely made me nervous," Roberts said. "Brandon really started playing and shooting on all cylinders in the fourth. (Deshais) is a tough player to defend. He has a high release point on his shot, and he has great range.

"He's going to be one of the top players in the league next season."

Despite being outscored 24-16 in the final quarter, West had just enough offense to keep pace and get out of their gym with the win.

West had two other players who ended the game scoring in double figures. Todd Delange chipped in 11 points and grabbed six rebounds. Zach Koerner also had 11 points in the win. Hutton also pulled down five rebounds and dished out four assists for the Panthers.

As for here on out, Roberts wanted to stress to his team just how important every game was for them now. And he wanted them to know that it all started with the big win on Monday night.

"Every game is pressure for us now," Roberts said. "There are no easy games from here on out. We have Holly on Friday, and they were picked by a lot of people as one of the best teams in the league.

"Our vacation time is over."

Andrew Selich is sports editor of The County Press. He can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8124 or at andrew.selich@lapeergroup.com