Rochester, Rochester Hills

Local boys basketball teams battle in playoffs

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Donna Agusti Rochester High’s Manny Mendoze rises for a shot against Romeo High March 11 in a Class A regional semifinal. The Falcons won 59-43. Photo by Donna Agusti Rochester High’s Manny Mendoze rises for a shot against Romeo High March 11 in a Class A regional semifinal. The Falcons won 59-43.

Rochester High coach John Pleasant had a simple way of describing this season.

“It’s been fun. We just go one game at a time and one possession at a time,” he said.

The result has been the program’s first district championship and regional win since 1988.

The Falcons, 20-4 overall at press time, beat Romeo High 59-43 March 11 in a Class A regional semifinal. They played Bloomfield Hills Lahser for the regional championship after press time — something the school has never won.

Also in Class A, Rochester Adams saw its perfect season come to an end, losing to Romeo High 53-52 in a district final March 8 at Lake Orion High.

The Highlanders finish the season 21-1 and as the Oakland Activities Association White Division champions.

Rochester Hills Stoney Creek also won a division title before falling in its Class A district. The Cougars lost to Utica Eisenhower 74-59 March 4 at Sterling Heights Stevenson.

“(Eisenhower) played us aggressively, and it took a toll on us. Every time we started to make a run, they countered with a big play,” coach Steve Norgrove said.

The Cougars completed quite a turnaround this season, going from a squad that didn’t win a game last season to co-champs of the OAA Gold.

“They showed tremendous work ethic in the offseason and made themselves, and our program, better,” Norgrove said. “The seniors have been through a lot. I would like to thank them for believing in our coaching staff and buying into our system. They have provided quality leadership to those that will follow.”

Stoney Creek finishes the year 13-8.

Auburn Hills Avondale was ousted in the first round by Waterford Mott 43-40 March 6 at Troy High.

In Class B, Beverly Hills Detroit Country Day beat Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 82-49 in its opener March 4 at Prep.

The Fighting Irish end 9-12 overall.

In Class C, Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest lost in its semifinal game against Madison Heights Bishop Foley 61-53 March 6 at Royal Oak Shrine.

The Crusaders finish 9-12.

In the same district, Auburn Hills Oakland Christian also fell to Foley, losing 52-46 March 8 in the final. It finishes the year 11-10.

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