WL Central withstands late Kettering’s rally
COMMERCE TWP » Each just looking for a spark and some positive momentum with 10 days to go until the district playoffs begin, Walled Lake Central and Waterford Kettering played another downto-the-wire Lakes Valley Conference boys basketball game Friday.
Much like their first headto-head meeting in December, the outcome was in question until the final seconds. A 3-pointer by Kettering’s Trevor Donahue made it a one-possession game with 13 seconds left, but Central was able to get a clean inbounds pass and convert at the free throw line to prevail, 58-54.
“I’m glad the way we handled the pressure late,” Vikings coach Chuck Spolsky said. “We know the playoffs are coming up and it will be full of pressure situations.”
Central carried a modest 26-23 lead into the second half, but ripped off a 12-0 scoring run to open the third quarter, holding Kettering scoreless for nearly six minutes.
The Captains didn’t go down quietly, however, and countered with a surge of their own.
Junior guard Bennie Crenshaw was Kettering’s comeback catalyst as he scored nine of his game-high 21 points in the fourth quarter and dished an assist to teammate Dominick Phifer for a game-tying basket with 3:20 remaining.
“(Kettering) is a good basketball team. They’ve got one of the best players in the league and we knew he could take over the game in the fourth (quarter) and he
For more photos from this event and more high school sports coverage, go to: did,” Spolsky said of Crenshaw. “We had to find some ways to get the ball out of his hands, but he made good decisions and stepped up, then his teammates made some plays.”
Suddenly in need of some key baskets, Central received a big one from junior Alijah Todd after he pulled down an offensive board with 2:05 to play. Later, a transition layup by senior Donivan Dickerson gave the Vikings a six-point lead in the final minute, allowing them to withstand the Captains’ late 3-pointer.
“I think we were executing and making the extra pass. We were getting easy buckets and scoring in the paint. That usually helps us for sure,” Spolsky said. “We were scoring in multiple ways. That’s what I was happy about. We had a lot of players contribute and that’s what we need. We don’t have the all-star. We’re just a team.”
Senior Jeremy Eppes posted 12 points to lead Central (7-12, 6-9 LVC), while Dickerson finished with nine.
Junior Jack Burch chipped in with nine points for Kettering (2-16, 2-12), which has two remaining games next week ahead of a first-round bye in the district playoffs.
The Vikings will conclude their regular season next Thursday against Milford before a March 9 district playoff game against Walled Lake Northern.
Andie Wolfe led the charge for Northern with 17 points and five rebounds, followed by Kelly Hickey with six points, five rebounds.
Josie Caldwell led the Mavericks with seven points.
The Crusaders used a balanced scoring attack to overpower LW.
Freshman Emily Grulke led the way with 15 points, followed by juniors Sabrina Gottschalk and Melanie Siebert with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Freshman Stella Macavage contributed eight more points to the cause.
Crusaders finished the season 15-5 and will open district tournament play on Monday at Clintondale.
PCA was led by Anna Fernandez with 30 points while Morganne Houk had 23 points.
For Southfield Christian Rachel Cairo had 20 points.
The Eagles finish the regular season 10-10 overall, 1-7 in the MIAC and will host the winner of Bloomfield Hills RoeperLivingston Christian in the district finals on Friday at 7 p.m.
Kendal Zeiter had 10 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and five blocks to lead the Colts to a nonconference win on Thursday.
Athena Sams added 10 points and 12 rebounds for Troy (15-5).
The Rochester Adams girls basketball team edged North Farmington on Thursday night in OAA White play, 49-44.
The Raiders (11-9, 6-6 OAA White) were led by Heaven Rogers, who had 10 points and 10 rebounds. Sela Lefler added 13 points and three assists.
Milana Skoric had 14 points and six rebounds to lead the Cougars to a victory over Groves on Thursday night.
Lily Dipanni added 12 points for Stoney Creek.
Boys Basketball
TROY ATHENS 77, ROCHESTER 48
Troy’s Brody Parker exploded for a game-high 27 points to led all scorers. Ethan Emerzian and Jake Emerzian contributed to the cause with 10 and eight point, respectively.
With the win, Troy goes to 15-3 overall, 8-2 in the OAA White. With the loss, Oxford falls to 9-9, 3-7.
Troy hosts Rochester Adams in OAA White Division game on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Trevor Smith Jr. had an amazing night. His 32 points were one thing. Rebounding for the JV team at halftime, however ... priceless.
Ethan Smydra chipped in with 11 points for the Cougars.
Freshman Noah Adamczyk hit a buzzer-beater in overtime to beat Oak Park. Adamczyk led the way with 28 points and five steals, while Collin Hecker chipped in 22 points and 11 rebounds.
The Ventures got 31 points from Jackson Zeiter en route to the win. Zeiter was perfect at the free throw line in the fourth quarter, making all 11 attempts.
Also contributing key performances for Foley were Joey Kennedy with 18 points and Michael Huiskens with 10 more.
The Crusaders improved to 10-7 overall with a win on Senior Night. Carter Rohman led the charge for the Crusaders with 16 points.