Rochester

Stoney Creek girls hoops claim first district title ever; hockey team also wins

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Andrew Potter Senior guard Loreal Farris and the Avondale squad wrapped up their season March 2 in a district final loss to Waterford Kettering. The Yellow Jackets beat Troy and Troy Athens on their way to the final. Photo by Andrew Potter Senior guard Loreal Farris and the Avondale squad wrapped up their season March 2 in a district final loss to Waterford Kettering. The Yellow Jackets beat Troy and Troy Athens on their way to the final.

In each of the past two years, Brad Crighton took his Rochester Hills Stoney Creek girls basketball team to a Class A district final.

In each of the past two years, the Cougars were left to deal with heartbreak on the final night of the district round.

The third time proved to be the charm.

“Our main goal this year was a district title, so to go out and do it is pretty special,” Crighton said a day after his team beat Rochester High 50-35 in a March 2 final. “I think being there the past two years helped these girls a lot. They were ready for everything.”

Stoney Creek beat Rochester Adams 41-38 in the district semifinal after drawing a first-round bye.

“We moved the ball real well, and that was key,” Crighton said of the Rochester win. “We were up 11 after the first, and then they cut it to four at halftime. I thought we played really well in the second half, especially on defense. That was the difference.”

The Voss sisters were dynamic again.

Lauren Voss scored 17 points in the win, while Natalie Voss added 14.

The Cougars, 15-7 with the win, advanced to the regional semifinal against Bloomfield Hills Marian, played after press time.

Hail to the champs
Despite being knocked out of the Class A playoffs by Stoney Creek, Adams still had a season to remember. The Highlanders finished the year 13-8 overall, but their 12-2 league record was good for an Oakland Activities Association White Division title.

“It was kind of unexpected,” coach Fran Scislowicz said. “After graduating four seniors last year, I think most people thought we’d finish in the bottom half of the division. These seniors this year, though, they came and worked and had such a focus. That brought the younger kids along, and the atmosphere for success was awesome. We got some early wins and kind of fed off that the rest of the season. It was a great accomplishment.”

On the frozen floor
Turns out, Stoney Creek had a busy weekend of success.

The hockey team claimed a Division 2 regional title thanks to a 5-3 win against Romeo High March 3.

The Cougars (13-14-0) beat Harrison Township L’Anse Cruese 7-2 in a semifinal after beating Utica High 3-2 in a pre-regional and faced Port Huron Northern in a quarterfinal game played after press time.

The D-2 semifinal is set for 7:30 p.m. March 8 at Compuware Sports Arena in Plymouth.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038. Follow Mike on Twitter.