Prep Basketball - Pre Christmas Jitters

Hello friends! Basketball season is upon us once again. I have to apologize for not having my columns going last week. As many of you know, Team Cottrell added another player to the roster. Between the birth of my baby girl and getting ready for the upcoming holidays, my plate is pretty full. 

 Luckily, I was able to dig into the scores and get my first basketball column going for the year. So let’s take a look at some basketball!

Coach Cottrell’s Blowout of the Week

Detroit Westside Christian 76 Dearborn Riverside Academy West 19 (57 points)

This game was played on December 7th. It wasn’t a pretty game for Dearborn Riverside Academy West. Westside Christian took a 28-2 first quarter lead and cruised in from there. Micah Saunders led scorers with 22 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Robert Davis scored 13 and Jalen Johnson scored 10. This was the first game of the season for both squads.

Low Score of the Week

Rochester Hills Stoney Creek 48 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep 19 (67 points)

Not a high scoring game by any means. Stoney Creek was able to hold Notre Dame Prep to only 19 total points. This is a low scoring game, but I’m guessing that we’ll have games with even less points this season.

High Score of the Week

Romulus 96 Detroit Pershing 95 (191 points)

It was a wild game but Romulus pulled off the upset. Derrick Stewart led Romulus with 21 points, going six for eight on three-pointers and made the winning free throws with 18 seconds left. Stephon Edwards blocked Juwan Howard’s shot with nine seconds left to seal the deal. Future Spartan Keith Appling scored 42 points and hit 20 of his 24 free throws.

Century Club Part One

Saginaw Heritage 101 Saginaw Swan Valley 58

Heritage is the first time this season to hit the 100 point mark. They were able to accomplish this feat on December 8th. Six players scored double figures. James Johnson led with 21 points and Lavario Smith had 17. Preston Walker scored 12 and A.J. Thomas had 10. Heritage has about 1,100 more students than Swan Valley, but even Heritage coach John Wilson admitted that Swan Valley will be very good in their league play this season.

News and Notes

Keith Appling is a great basketball player. Those who have seen him play know exactly what I’m talking about. Free Press writer Mick McCabe named him the #1 player in the state. Personally, I agree with him. Also making the list was another future Spartan from Eaton Rapids. 6’9” big man Alex Gauna was ranked #13.