Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Southfield

Groves and Southfield High make it out of district semifinals

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O'Blenes Birmingham Groves coach Scott Sheckell speaks with his squad in a game earlier this season. Photo by Patricia O'Blenes Birmingham Groves coach Scott Sheckell speaks with his squad in a game earlier this season.

BEVERLY HILLS — With the final seconds ticking off the clock, Birmingham Groves junior Eddie Reese found senior teammate Andrew Forbes in the corner for a wide-open 3-pointer.

Forbes made good on the shot, giving the Falcons the 59-56 victory against Southfield-Lathrup in a Class A district semifinal March 6 at Groves.

"Eddie made a perfect pass," Forbes said. "I shot it with confidence and knew it was going straight in."

The win moves Groves to 15-6 overall.

Before the late-game heroics, the Falcons led by as many as 19 points before Lathrup battled back, mostly due to senior Jonathan Williams. He finished with 34 points.

"He's fantastic, the best player we've played all season," Groves coach Scott Sheckell said.

Lathrup finishes the year 8-14 overall.

"We battled back, but we came out flat. (Groves) was ready to play," Lathrup coach Desmond Denham said.

In the other semifinal, Southfield High defeated Oak Park High 66-59, moving the Blue Jays to 17-4 overall.

"We knew it was a rivalry game and would be a good game," Southfield coach Gary Teasley said. "I think our consistency helped us out tonight."

Southfield had four players in double figures.

Up next, the Blue Jays and Groves battle for a district crown at 7 p.m. March 8 at Groves.

The Falcons last won one in 2005. Southfield has won three straight.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Christian Davis at cdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1062. Follow Christian on Twitter.