Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Lathrup Village

North Farmington High boys basketball escapes Southfield-Lathrup with win

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo by Patricia O'Blenes North Farmington's Sterling Sharp rises to the basket against Southfield-Lathrup Feb. 3 at Lathrup. North won 60-57 Photo by Patricia O'Blenes North Farmington's Sterling Sharp rises to the basket against Southfield-Lathrup Feb. 3 at Lathrup. North won 60-57

It wasn’t easy, but by time the North Farmington High boys basketball team walked off the Southfield-Lathrup gym floor, the Raiders earned their sixth win in a row.

Despite trailing by as many as nine points and six in the fourth quarter, the Raiders escaped 60-57 Feb. 3 in the Oakland Activities Association Red Division battle.

“I just told the guys we had to battle, we had to battle for 32 minutes and grind it out,” North coach Todd Negoshian said.

After two free throws by Lathrup junior Jonathan Williams, the Chargers led 57-56 with 33 seconds remaining.

On the next possession, North junior Caleb Hogans found an opening and made an acrobatic lay up while being knocked down that proved to be the game winner with 17 seconds left.

North senior Greg Joyce then put the Raiders up three, making both of his free throws at the end of the game.

“I had faith in myself and in the team. I saw a lane I just took it,” Hogans said.

It was the second big play in the quarter from the guard. With just under a minute left, Hogans had the ball stolen from him, but was able to track down the Lathrup guard and block his shot, preserving the North lead at the time.

“I think he played his best game of the year,” Negoshian said of Hogans. “We don’t without him tonight. Not just the points he scored, but also the way he handled Lathrup’s pressure.”

Hogans finished with 15 points, eight of them coming in the fourth quarter. North senior Dorrell Foster scored 30 to lead all scorers.

Williams led Lathrup with 28 points.

“You have to give North Farmington credit, they did a great job in the first half and really the whole game of deflecting our passes,” Lathrup coach Mike Avery said. “Just another day in the OAA Red.”

North Farmington goes to 10-5 overall and 5-3 in the Red. Lathrup falls to 11-4 and 5-2 in the division.
 

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