Photo by David Schreiber Southfield High junior Carlton Brundidge goes up for a shot while Southfield-Lathrup senior Drew Gilchrist defends in a game earlier this season. The Blue Jays won both contests this season, but the rivals could meet again in a Class A district at Southfield.

Local boys basketball teams prepare for district action

By Christian Davis
C & G Sports Writer

Southfield High’s boys basketball season is coming down to the wire with a chance to win the Oakland Activities Association Red Division, but even if the Blue Jays falter, coach Gary Teasley believes there are bigger games to come.

“We all have a chance to live again in March,” he said.

That’s because to many coaches and fans, March represents the start of a new season — the postseason.

Southfield hosts its Class A district, and Teasley said that fact was never far from his squad’s mind.

“We’ve talked about March since Labor Day,” he said.

The district opens with Southfield-Lathrup taking on Detroit Henry Ford at 4 p.m. March 8 at Ford.

The Blue Jays take on the winner of that contest at 4:30 p.m. March 10 at home.

On the other side of the bracket, Oak Park High hosts Detroit Renaissance at 4:30 p.m. March 8. The winner then hosts its next game against Ferndale High at 4:30 p.m. March 10.

The final is 4:30 p.m. March 12 at Southfield.

Until then, Southfield and Lathrup still have business to finish in the Red. The two teams were tied for first with one game remaining at press time. Southfield plays West Bloomfield High at 7 p.m. March 4. The following day, Lathrup makes a trip at 7 p.m. to Clarkston High.

But no matter the results, Teasley feels the program could win its first district since 1986 if it continues to learn from each contest.

“The way we’re looking at it is that there are going to be final exams coming up. We’re looking at the regular-season games like a quiz to see what you get during the semester, and then there are the finals, which are for keeps,” he said.

Lathrup is looking for its eighth district title since 1999.

Class D
Southfield Christian drew a bye in its district, hosted by Birmingham Roeper. The Eagles await the winner of Detroit Michigan Health Academy and Detroit Urban Lutheran at 7:30 p.m. March 10.

The other side of the bracket has Roeper taking on Detroit Winans Academy of Performing Arts at 6 p.m. March 8. The winner plays Detroit PEC Prep at 6 p.m. March 10.

The final is set for 7 p.m. March 12. All district games are at Roeper.

The Eagles are in search of their first district title since 1982.

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