Boys Basketball Regional Semifinal Thoughts.

Written Monday March 13th at 10:00 PM

Clarkston Shocks Macomb Dakota.

In perhaps one of the two biggest match-up in the State on Monday night with the other one being Grand Rapids Union vs Muskegon in which Grand Rapids Christian destroyed Muskegon 60-29. The other top match up in the State saw the Wolves meet the Cougars. Clarkston beat Macomb Dakota twice two seasons ago but the Cougars returned the favor by beating the Wolves twice last season. This time it was at Grand Blanc, Clarkston met Macomb Dakota in the regional semifinal and it was the Wolves that put a 20 point beat-down on the Cougars shocking them 68-48. It didn’t help that Macomb Dakota had a lot riding against them. This was their third game in four days with the district final in which the Cougars won the district title over Macomb L'Anse Creuse North on Saturday night, then they have a day of practice to get ready for Clarkston, then on the way to Grand Blanc they witnessed a car accident on Interstate 75, that is too much for a young athlete's mental mindset to take. The Cougars looked out of it throughout the game and Clarkston took advantage behind a 24 point second quarter to put the game away. The Wolves were led by Foster Loyer and Dylan Alderson whom combined to score 49 of the team’s 68 points. Loyer had 31 points while Alderson had 18 points. It looks like now Clarkston whom is 23-1 all time in the State playoffs against Macomb County teams now has a clear path to the State Final but they have to play Stoney Creek first in the regional final, if they get by the Cougars then it’s likely Saginaw at Davison in the quarterfinals, and if they get by that then it’s a trip to the Breslin Center at Michigan State.

West Bloomfield Survives Howell.

The Lakers had to overcome a shocking deficit as they saw a 36-23 halftime lead that turned into 16 points at one point in the third quarter and turned into a 44-43 deficit at the end of the third quarter against Howell. West Bloomfield only scored seven points in the quarter however there is four quarters to a basketball game, the Lakers outscored The Highlanders 16-7 in the fourth quarter on route to a 59-51 victory sending West Bloomfield to the regional final at Walled Lake Northern. Kevin McAdoo was huge, scoring 40 points in the process. The Lakers will take on Novi for the regional crown on Wednesday at Walled Lake Northern. The Wildcats shocked Walled Lake Western in double overtime 72-71 to move onto this game. This will be an interesting game to say the least.

Stoney Creek has no problem with Linden.

The Stoney Creek Cougars outscored the Linden Eagles in every quarter to earn a 53-39 victory in the regional semifinal setting up a tough matchup against Clarkston on Wednesday at Grand Blanc. This was Stoney Creek’s first ever regional win in Boys Basketball to go along with their first district crown when they beat Rochester on Friday night at home. Linden had no answer for Mike Melargani and Nate Davis as both of them had big games. Melargani had 20 points while Davis had 15 points. The Cougars will have a daunting task on Wednesday against Clarkston.

Troy uses 33-11 run to take out Lake Shore.

Northwestern used two big runs in the Big Ten Tournament against Rutgers and Maryland to win their games. The Colts used a 33-11 run, with the balk of the points in the second half to take down the Shorians of Lake Shore 65-42 at Troy Athens. Troy hit eight three’s Jason Dietz and Jason Sully had three of them each. Dietz had 18 points while Sully had 15 points. Leon Ayers had 14 points for the Colts. Troy will move on to take on Warren De LaSalle whom beat Chippewa Valley 49-37 in the second game to take on the Colts on Wednesday. This will be interesting because both teams have some good players playing in this game.

Detroit Collegiate Prep of Northwestern holds off Hazel Park.

The Vikings of Hazel Park took on Detroit Collegiate Prep of Northwestern expect this time it wasn’t a 90-60 game from last season but it was the same result as the Colts beat Hazel Park 72-64 at Livonia Claranceville on Monday night. The Vikings trailed by 20 points but they used a 21-7 third quarter and came back to force it down to one point on two occasions but Detroit Collegiate Prep pulled away late to win. Hazel Park was balanced scoring on the night as David Pettus had 12 points, Carl Bow had 10 points, Charles Drewery had 10 points, Kristian Layfette had eight points, and David Hearns had eight points for the Vikings whom only lose two seniors next season. I got to give credit to Hazel Park’s non-conference scheduling but also moving up to the White. The schedule got them prepared for this game along with their season. The Vikings whom shared the White this season with Troy and won their first district title since 1965 will be a senior heavy team next season, they will be back.