Southfield

Southfield-Lathrup boys basketball bottles up Southfield High

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Southfield-Lathrup’s Johnny Slater take the ball upcourt as Southfield High defenders give chase. The Chargers won 61-53. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Southfield-Lathrup’s Johnny Slater take the ball upcourt as Southfield High defenders give chase. The Chargers won 61-53.

SOUTHFIELD — To the best of Southfield-Lathrup boys basketball coach Mike Avery’s memory, for the first time since 2006, the Chargers have swept the season series against Southfield High.

Lathrup beat the Blue Jays 61-53 Feb. 17 at Southfield.

After trailing by five points at the half, the Chargers found their stride.

“We knew they were going to come out strong. We regained our composure in the second half and settled in,” he said.

Southfield was also able to take advantage early on of Lathrup’s foul trouble. Specifically, junior Jonathan Williams was called for two quick fouls to start the first and sat out much of the first half.

“It was just frustrating, but I had to get my head back in the game — go out there and play with two fouls and play smart,” he said.

Williams made a difference with his return midway through the second. After not scoring a point in the first, he finished with seven in the last five minutes of the half to go along with his 20 for the game.

“Jonathan Williams is no secret to anybody; he’s our go-to guy,” Avery said. “We were patient the first half, and in the second half, I knew it was a matter of time before he turned it on. He got a lot of other guys involved, as well.”

Southfield led 29-24 to start the third and even held a one-point advantage early in the fourth, but coach Gary Teasley said his young team has to learn how to finish.

“If the game was two quarters long, my whole demeanor would be different,” he said. “We have to find a way to score consistently for four quarters.”

With the win, Lathrup goes to 12-5 overall and 6-3 in the Oakland Activities Association Red Division; Southfield falls to 7-10 and 3-7 in the Blue.

Both teams came away from the contest believing the experience will benefit them come the postseason.

“This was definitely playoff intensity,” Williams said.

Southfield junior Brandon Bean said everything for his team right now is part of a learning process.

“We came in with a game plan, and we didn’t execute everything well,” he said. “We have to play harder and with more intensity. We came out good, but we have to learn how to finish.”

Despite the result, Bean added that he always enjoys suiting up in this rivalry.

“It’s one of the most fun games of the season,” he said. “I look forward to it from day one. It’s one of the reasons why I play basketball.”

Up next, the Blue Jays hit the road to take on Clarkston High at 7 p.m. Feb. 24 at Clarkston. Lathrup hosts West Bloomfield High at 4 p.m. Feb. 23.

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