Sterling Heights

Sterling Heights, Ford II play for district titles

By Jason Carmel Davis
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Andrew Potter The Sterling Heights High girls basketball team went 11-1 in winning the MAC Blue Division title and was still alive in the 2013 MHSAA girls state basketball tournament at press time. Pictured is Stallions freshman guard Sade’ Lemons during a regular-season game against Warren Fitzgerald. Photo by Andrew Potter The Sterling Heights High girls basketball team went 11-1 in winning the MAC Blue Division title and was still alive in the 2013 MHSAA girls state basketball tournament at press time. Pictured is Stallions freshman guard Sade’ Lemons during a regular-season game against Warren Fitzgerald.

The Sterling Heights High and Utica Ford II girls basketball teams survived the opening two rounds of the 2013 Michigan High School Athletic Association state girls playoffs.

The Stallions, who won the Macomb Area Conference Blue Division title, played Clinton Township Chippewa Valley in a Class A district final March 1, after press time. Sterling Heights went into the contest at 19-2. The Stallions outlasted Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse 52-50 Feb. 27 in a district semi after receiving a bye in the quarters.

In winning the MAC Blue title, the Stallions went 11-1 in league play, sharing the division crown with Macomb L’Anse Creuse North.  Sterling Heights’ defense (37 points-per-game allowed) ranks in the top four in the 36-team MAC. The Stallions’ offense (54.3 points per game) is good for third in the MAC, and their average margin of victory of 17.3 points per game is fourth in the conference.

Ford II still battling
Ford II’s district final against Rochester Hills Stoney Creek also tipped off after press time.

The Falcons (18-4) knocked off Rochester High 55-48 Feb. 25 and Utica High 49-25 Feb. 27 to advance.

Ford II had an unblemished non-league record at press time, as the Falcons finished 10-0 outside the MAC Red and 8-4 in divisional play.

Ford II sports a stout defense, allowing 37.9 points per game at press time. That number was good for eighth in the MAC at press time.

Stevenson, Parkway Christian fall in district quarters
A young Utica Stevenson team saw its season end in a 56-25 loss to Rochester Hills Stoney Creek Feb. 27 in a Class A district semi after drawing a first-round bye. Eight of 13 players on the Stevenson roster this season were freshman or sophomores, and it had only one senior, guard Erin Lyon.

Sterling Heights Parkway Christian was unable to win back-to-back Class D district titles, as the Eagles fell 60-35 to Bloomfield Hills Roeper Feb. 25 in a quarterfinal matchup.

Parkway Christian upended Detroit Edison Public School 51-39 to capture a district title last season.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Jason Carmel Davis at jdavis@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1107. Follow Jason Carmel on Twitter.