Hazel Park, Madison Heights

Local girls basketball teams receive district tournament draws

By Mark Vest
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Deb Jacques The Lamphere’s girls basketball team huddles around coach during a recent game. The Rams are scheduled to play a district semifinal game Feb. 27. Photo by Deb Jacques The Lamphere’s girls basketball team huddles around coach during a recent game. The Rams are scheduled to play a district semifinal game Feb. 27.

Regardless of how the regular season has gone for local girls basketball squads, the postseason represents a fresh start for each team.

The first opportunity comes in the district tournament. Here is a breakdown of the matchups, locations and scheduled start times for the local teams.

Madison Heights Madison received an opening-round bye and is scheduled to face Detroit Winans Academy in a semifinal-round game at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at Mount Clemens.

Madison Heights Lamphere also received an opening-round bye and is scheduled to face the winner of a matchup between Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Macomb Lutheran North in a semifinal at 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at Clawson.

Hazel Park received an opening-round bye, as well. The Vikings are scheduled to face the winner of an opening-round game between Ferndale and Detroit Old Redford Feb. 27 at home; game time was not available at press time.

Madison Heights Bishop Foley is scheduled to take on host team Rochester Hills Lutheran Northwest at 7 p.m. Feb. 25. The winner of that game faces either Pontiac Academy for Excellence or Royal Oak Shrine Feb. 27. Game time is 7 p.m.

Although he understands the challenge that awaits his team, Foley coach Dave Joseph said that’s just the way his team prefers it.

“With the host school being our first game, they’re (going to) be pumped up,” he said. “That’s going to be a tough game for us. If we’re fortunate enough to win that, the second round we’re probably going to meet Shrine, and we’ve had two very physical, tough games with them during our season (with Foley winning both). I think we probably have the toughest draw out of everybody, but that’s kind of what we like.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mark Vest at mvest@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1112. Follow Mark on Twitter.